AK-WY F-450 6.0 PSD & US Customs

[Cummins Pilot]

Well I started out in Fairbanks Alaska driving an F-450 6. 0 PSD auto towing a 25' trailer with aircraft engines (26,000lbs total combined) for the company I work for heading to WA-ID-WY.



What I want to know is why is it easier to deal with Canadian Customs than dealing with our own guys????? Much thanks to the Canadians so far. No thanks to our boys. Ive got all my paperwork in order and am legal. Seems that the rules change depending on the officer and weather.



So far I made it to Seattle in 72 hours (2300miles). Then over to Idaho-Wyoming- home to Alaska. Ill admit that the 6. 0 PSD hs power, but I've got some complaints.



Spins up to high 4000rpms

No power under 2100 rpms

Slow to respond (typical of an auto)

Guzzles fuel even when unloaded

Turbo has excessive high pitch whine at 2650-2750 rpms

Oil leak on top end somewhere in the valley, blows it up on the hood while pulling grades, under 10,000miles so far.



Oh yeah, aux lights in British Columbia are illegal. Found that out the hard way at the scale in Dawson Creek, but talked my way out of it. Took them off until dark, ran them after that and didn't get nailed.



Well I'll be ready to get home as soon as I can. All this driving solo will get old soon.



Tyler

 

[NPloysa]

What type of aircraft engines?



Nick

 

[Cummins Pilot]

3 R-2800's and 1 R-2000 + nose cases for overhaul. Just dumped my load tonight.

 

[NWarren]

i think i seen your truck and trailer. i remeber thinking that those round things on there must be ac engines. i live in fort nelson and the dot come up here from fort st john all the time and give us **** about driving lights.

 

[jmeehan]

I didn't know that driving lights were illegal in B. C. I wonder if they just get on the commercial trucks about them?

I made one trip without my lights, when the truck was new, never again. Too many big critters and unmarked corners.

 

[Cummins Pilot]

Warren, that was me. I'll be passing back thru in a few days. If you happen to see me flag me down, meet for coffee or such, I know I could use the break. (driving 14-16 hours makes for a long day)



Was I parked? I slept the night there in the back of the rig.



Most of the BC plated vehicles did not have aux lights but a lot of other vehicles not from there did. Most truckers had their lights covered. My personal truck has four lights with four more to come this summer. I can't drive with normal headlights anymore. Technically they are illegal in AK but as long as your not using them on others the police don't care. They understand that they make driving safer.

 

[NWarren]

Yep you were parked. i couple of years back dot and scales said that if the lights were on a relay, so you could only turn them on with high beams they were ok. Now they tell you they must be covered at all times. So we just cover them in the day or at night if the dots are up. The cops don't seam to travel the hiway much at night so we're good there.