Ohio Receivers

Springfield -  Gordon Food Distribution Center

4980 Gateway Blvd.

Springfield, Ohio 45502

937-525-7100

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=4980+gateway+blvd+springfield+oh&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x883f51212ceb3fb3:0xa0f067871f01acae,4980+Gateway+Blvd,+Springfield,+OH+45502&gl=us&ei=v-M8UoGoIIrXyAHR94GYCw&ved=0CCwQ8gEwAA

Austinburg -  Sav A Lot

2692 Sidley Court

Austinburg, Ohio 44010

440-275-3535

https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=Save+Alot&fb=1&gl=us&hq=save+a+lot&hnear=0x88318909ec57f603:0x771f6bb3dad8bb96,Austinburg,+OH&cid=0,0,11020193787101956282&ei=sQs-Us6FCoOGyAHMuoCICQ&sqi=2&ved=0CKwBEPwSMAo

Cleveland -  Oleksy Meats

2700 E. 40th Street

Cleveland, Ohio

216-432-1330

A bit of a trick ...be sure and look at street view

https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=Oleksy+Wholesale+Meats&fb=1&gl=us&hq=Oleksy+meats&hnear=0x8830ef2ee3686b2d:0xed04cb55f7621842,Cleveland,+OH&cid=0,0,2939519390453612697&ei=Aw0-Ur_RF-OYyAH9mICoDQ&sqi=2&ved=0CJkBEPwSMAs

Wintersville -  WalMart Distribution Center

843 State Rout 43

Wintersville, Ohio 43952

740-765-5700

From Google Reviews -

Beau Carlisle

a month ago

In/out in less than 30 min for drop/hook. GPS may show this as 843 Hwy 43, Richmond, OH depending on your GPS model.

Andrew Arthur

11 months ago

Took 11 hours for them to unload 5 pallets...

A Google User

a year ago

1hr early checkin only. Expect line after you drop trailer 10 min. Line at window minimum. Do not take load here again!

https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=Walmart+Distribution+Center&fb=1&gl=us&hq=walmart+distribution+wintersville+ohio&cid=0,0,14591577783807973030&ei=2Q8-UqLFDZTOyAH44IHwBg&sqi=2&ved=0CKEBEPwSMAs

Massillon -  Fresh Mark Inc.

1888 Southway St. SW

Massillon, Ohio 44646

330-832-7491

https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=Fresh+Mark+Inc&fb=1&gl=us&hq=fresh+mark+meat+massillon+ohio&cid=0,0,13030206661446295478&ei=kI0-UpviH6q22AWRnYGwBQ&ved=0CJUBEPwSMAo

Tipp City - Meijers Distribution Center

4200 S. County Road 25A

Tipp City, Ohio 45371

937-667-9628

From Transam Pete - Meijers DC Tipp City Oh
very straight forward exit 69 off I 75 
.05 down on the right
pull into staging area walk to guard shack blah blah blah
staging area big enough for overnite parking

https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=Meijer+Distribution+Center&fb=1&gl=us&hq=meijers+distribution+center&hnear=0x883f79c962e96037:0x64263be4a9112e7a,Tipp+City,+OH&cid=0,0,5751640461473833787&ei=ur9UUrmUNOKG2wXem4GwAg&ved=0CKsBEPwSMAo

Massachusetts Shippers

Northampton -  Coca Cola

45 Industrial Drive

Northampton,Massachusetts

413-582-6531

Call - might load early

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=45+industrial+drive+northampton+ma&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x89e6d72f814789b1:0xf27b312a13d814d0,45+Industrial+Dr,+Northampton,+MA+01060&gl=us&ei=Wdo8UtehE8b72QXGq4DoAQ&ved=0CCwQ8gEwAA

Ohio Shippers

Lima -  Proctor and  Gamble

840 N. Thayer Road

Lima, Ohio

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=840+thayer+rd+lima+oh&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x883eeb88ef3ac843:0xa4ee224bbf4bb487,840+N+Thayer+Rd,+Lima,+OH+45801&gl=us&ei=A9g8UqjrO-mQ2gWomICgDg&ved=0CCwQ8gEwAA

Portsmouth - Evans Food/Savory Products

2240 6th St.

Portsmouth, Ohio

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=2240+6th+st+portsmouth+oh&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x88468ba010eb1799:0x1be5549e571433e7,2240+6th+St,+Portsmouth,+OH+45662&gl=us&ei=l4w-UqqsHaKE2gWWp4HgDw&ved=0CCwQ8gEwAA

Massachusetts Receivers

Andover -  Demoulas

340 Ballardvale Street

Andover, Massachusetts 01810

Parking available. Driver friendly
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=340+ballardvale+street+andover+ma&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x89e3098e056fa681:0x5bc3fcc97ed185d4,340+Ballardvale+St,+Andover,+MA+01810&gl=us&ei=W5s8UonDIqml2wX4w4G4Dg&ved=0CCwQ8gEwAA

Taunton -  Richs

305 Myles Standish Blvd.

Taunton, Massachusetts 02780

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=305+myles+standish+blvd+taunton+ma&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x89e48baef0640835:0x2901155d8928afe7,305+Myles+Standish+Blvd,+Taunton,+MA+02780&gl=us&ei=ultQUv2eGIqg9QTfuIGYCA&ved=0CC4Q8gEwAA

Taunton -  Agar Supply

225 John Hancock Road

Taunton, Massachusetts 02780

508-821-2060

james camp

a year ago

Receiving treats you like dirt no respect at all miserable place

Mike Sullivan

a year ago

Receivers had attitude. Don't take crap off them. Had to put them in place

Ray Chambers

6 months ago

Off loading took forever for 2 pallets!

A Google User

3 months ago

They have limiTed parking arrive early they get paperwork at 4 a.m. assign doors at 6 a.m.

A Google User

a year ago

Place docent start receiving till 6am then they stop at 11am tho hours are crap and they treat drivers like dirt.

https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=AGAR+SUPPLY+CO,+INC.&fb=1&gl=us&hq=agar+supply+meat+taunton+ma&cid=0,0,3145624616366494406&ei=PIc-UpjcFeW-2gXo04GgCA&ved=0CKwBEPwSMAo

Springfield -  PFG ( Performance Foodservice)

1 Performance Blvd.

Springfield, Massachusetts 01104

413-733-3053

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=1+performance+blvd+springfield+ma&ie=UTF-8&ei=bFpQUvfyHYK-9QTFr4HoDQ&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAg

Stocking Your Pantry

 Stocking your food pantry will depend on your own personal tastes. It is difficult to maintain a semi-healthy diet while OTR. Many times you will be overnighting in rest areas or in a customer's parking lot and will need to be able to put together a meal. Having a small variety of canned goods will allow you to put together something quickly with minimal clean-up. 

Salt and Pepper

Coffee

Peanut Butter

Canned chicken or ham

     can be added to many soups, etc. to make a more filling meal

Soup or chili

Snacks -

     Trail mixes

     Beef jerky

     Nuts

     Peanut butter crackers

     Microwaveable popcorn

Water - bottles and a few one gallon jugs

Gatorade or some type of sport drink to replenish electrolytes

Honey - great in tea if you prefer it to coffee, also has many soothing properties if you should have a cold or scratchy throat

     

Oklahoma Receivers

Ardmore -  Dollar General Distribution Center

401 General Street

Ardmore, Oklahoma 73401

580-389-5602

From Hometime Queen - For Husband this was probably a drop and hook 85% of the time. 

https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=Dollar+General&fb=1&gl=us&hq=dollar+general+distribution+center&hnear=0x864d29af8f1faf9d:0x97fc0930be92d4b2,Ardmore,+OK&cid=0,0,1112109775029447678&ei=3Bk5UvbuCaK82wWGnYGYDw&ved=0CJcBEPwSMAo

Alabama Receivers

Anniston - Supervalu Distribution Center

2130 Roberts Drive

Anniston, Alabama 36207

256-831-1840

From joey7119 -  call, may take load early

https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=SUPERVALU+Distribution+Center&fb=1&gl=us&hq=supervalu&hnear=0x888a4d9c67545d09:0xcf6d64600880cd58,Anniston,+AL&cid=0,0,17094835345205549354&ei=Y6Q4UraCH6Sr2wX6g4GADw&sqi=2&ved=0CJwBEPwSMAo

Montgomery - Winn Dixie Distribution Center

Winn Dixie

6080 Mobile Highway

Montgomery,Alabama

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=6080+mobile+highway+montgomery+al&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x888e7df23fffeda5:0x676d3407aad1116e,6080+Mobile+Hwy,+Montgomery,+AL+36105&gl=us&ei=bu1pUu2HHI2jkQes8IDQAQ&ved=0CCwQ8gEwAA

Alabama Shippers

Red Bay - Sunshine Mills, dog food

500 6th Street SW

 Originally Posted by transam pete 

Red Bay that whole town smells like bad dog food
Gps gives ###### directions into there too
but I don't remember the name of the street you should turn down

this from passport

I don't remember the names of the streets either but it is the first plant on the left that you see coming downhill into town. You have two or three streets to turn into and still find the entrance. It is a large plant with a small section of homes in front of it. The GPS will direct you to keep going into town, but you can see trailers parked for other major carriers and generally a bunch of indicators it is the place we pick up.

from HTQ

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=500+6...ed=0CCwQ8gEwAA

The Big Star, grocery store, is on 4th Street
I believe the street you want is 5th street SW

Birmingham -  Sterilite Corporation

Sterilite Corporation

1551 Sterilite Drive

Birmingham, Alabama 35215

205-520-0494

https://www.google.com/search?q=sterilite+corporation+birmingham+alabama&oq=sterilite+bir&aqs=chrome.3.69i57j0l4.12531j0j8&sourceid=chrome&espv=210&es_sm=93&ie=UTF-8

Finding Parking Places

Cozad, Nebraska -

I-80 exit 222

There is a lot beside the Pizza Hut for Trucker parking, there is also a Dairy Queen and a Mexican restaurant across the road.

Foristell, Missouri - From Transam Pete -TIP OF THE DAY

     In Foristell MO at the TA 
     If you get here and no room you can continue down the service road 1/2 mile to the west          side scale house
     the back gate is always open park there and you can idle back in the morning get your                coffee 

Jackson, Georgia -  

I-75 exit 201

Across from the Flying J is a lot that you can pay to park overnight. However, the owners have a small BBQ business, Rudy's BBQ, so long as you buy dinner the parking is free. Mrs. Rudy's BBQ makes a mean Key Lime Cake. Nice folks.....so long as you are well behaved.

Bois D'Arc, Missouri -

I-44 exit 

Hood's Truck Stop, older truck stop, usually can find a place to park

Other States -

Wyoming - Cheyenne

From Honeybadger -

   24 hour mobile washouts

   $40 cash, $42 check

   Lil Al's Mobile Washouts - 307-256-6502

Minnesota - Worthington - JBS

1700 Minnesota 60

Worthington, MN 56187

507-376-4562

From Transam Pete

    2 Truckstops across the street
    the one north of the highway is better
    with a restaurant
From Panhandle Flash
    The way that Worthington is set up, you turn onto their property and FOLLOW the signs. You'll     have to take the trailer to be washed out and dropped off. If your picking up during the day,       you'll get your paperwork at the same place, and the trailer across the street from where you     dropped your mty. Trk stop right across the street has a scale.
https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=JBS&fb=1&gl=us&hq=jbs&hnear=0x878c82eb071c3921:0xc4e6d699158f2cee,Worthington,+MN&cid=0,0,10162389194335807759&ei=Rpk4Uqy7CuSy2gXNx4CIDA&sqi=2&ved=0CJgBEPwSMAo

New Hampshire - Londonderry  - Stonyfield Yogurt

10 Burton Drive

Londonderry, New Hampshire 

603-437-4040

Call - you may be able to get loaded early

https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=Stonyfield+Farm+Inc&fb=1&gl=us&hq=stonyfield+yogurt&hnear=0x4cb3444b9dc0a6eb:0xd7c802af25a680eb,New+Hampshire&cid=0,0,13803844941872914788&ei=YKk4UqqSH-SMyAGp0oCoDg&ved=0CJgBEPwSMA0

Maine - Lewiston - WalMart Distribution Center

31 Alfred A Plourde Pkwy

Lewiston, ME 04240

207-344-2700

https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=Walmart+Distribution+Center&fb=1&gl=us&hq=walmart+distribution+center&hnear=0x4cb26bc07b32961f:0xf3750b5ad8e67d10,Lewiston,+ME&cid=0,0,11387611979071314371&ei=Oa04UuPkCYG82gXcmYCQBQ&ved=0CK8BEPwSMAo

Missouri -  Americold Storage/Schreiber Food

1331 Civil War Road

Carthage, MO 64836

417-358-9027

From kirk - 
Americold Storage/ Schreiber Food. 1331 Civil War RD Carthage, MO. That was where I loaded in the cave at Carthage. Follow GPS directions to the main gate, and they will tell you which cave to proceed to. Park outside the cave entrance in the parking area, and walk inside the cave to the office first. Do not drive in without first walking in. Its kinda tight in there, but take your time, and go slow. No big deal. There are several caves at this location, so I guess it just depends on who the shipper is as to what cave you go into. That's my 2 cents. I have only been there one time.

From Hometime Queen - 
Trailer must be clean! Coming from the west there is a Blue Beacon in Joplin, from the east there is a trailer wash at the TA in Mt. Vernon.
     Get there and check in early at the office, before your appointment time. Don't be late! Be very polite! You will be the last one loaded if you aren't, Husband saw it happen many times.

https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=Americold&fb=1&gl=us&hq=americold+storage&hnear=0x87c88242c65012ed:0x91598e32b6c04796,Carthage,+MO&cid=0,0,13963759178571585954&ei=6fQ4Ur6uEsHa2AWt94HICg&ved=0CJMBEPwSMAo

Swaps

 From passport -

       I agree with TAPete, always best to give the other driver your number and take control of the terms of the swap as soon as you can. 
A few of my ideas of proper swap etiquette:

1) If you have to wake a driver up, use the phone number. If you have to knock, do not go banging on the side of the sleeper like a crazy ape on meth. Tap lightly on the driver's side window and give the driver a little bit of time to respond before you knock a little bit harder the next time. 

2) Don't park in the most congested part of the truck stop, get off to the back or side where you can be seen and have some room to drop trailers and execute a swap.

3) Once you arrive at a swap location, in addition to your 024, send a message to dispatch giving your location within the site (example: I am in the blue truck, back row, left side of the truck stop, near the tire shop). Include the color of your truck in the message. Ask dispatch to pass this info on to the other driver, an easy cut, paste, send for dispatch, do this even if you have exchanged phone numbers.

4) Do not park and wait for your swap partner on the exit ramp of a rest area (had this happen twice). 

5) Swap info normally includes the truck and trailer number of your swap partner. Make note of this. Don't just go banging on the side of the first TransAm truck you see, wake up the other driver and ask if he is here for a swap (had this happen once). We tend to all run on the major highways and interstates, often more than one TransAm truck at a truck stop.


-------------------------------------------------

For general etiquette, if you need TCH checks, trip sheet, etc. and you see me moving around in the truck, or in the driver's seat at a truck stop. I am your guy! I am always happy to meet another TransAm driver.

If you see my truck but not me and the sleeper curtains are closed and the truck is dark, please do not go banging on my truck like a crazy ape on meth to ask me for TCH checks, trip sheets, etc. (had this happen twice).

----------------------------------------------------

Some of the most common places to swap are -
Effingham, Illinois
Indianapolis, Indiana
Nashville, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee
Atlanta, Georgia
Peru, Illinois
Gary, Indiana

Maine Receivers

South Portland -  Hannaford Bros.

From Transam Pete
Hannaford Bros in South Portland Maine
don't follow GPS last 1.5 miles
takes you there thru residential streets
turn right onto Rumery St sign says PORTLAND INDUSTRIAL PARK
follow around to the right directly in front of you is Hannaford
there is a washout on the way back out on left before you get to route 1

Tips

Tips

1. Place a tab or piece of tape on the page in your manual that explains how to access your elogs. DOT gets very impatient if they have to wait for you to find it.

2. Any questions regarding HOS, safe haven or personal conveyance call David Cole. His phone number is 913-324-7012
3. Air-assist Kingpin Release -
         From TA Pete -
           unlock fifth wheel
         hold next button to the left down 10 sec
         dump airbags
         sometimes if there is too much tension on the release i have to do it twice
4. Blue Tree Satellite System Freezing UP -
         A. From kirk - Shut system off, wait 10 minutes, turn back on
         B. From kf4omc - When mine did that I just rebooted it. you can force a reboot by turning it off (Wait a min or two) Then hold down the "1" button as you turn it back on with the "4" button. Keep holding down the "1" button till you see "REBOOT" on the screen. I would have to do this every 3 to 4 days.
5. From Hometime Queen -
        A. Always,Always,Always weigh your load ....even on a swap. You have no idea how some of these guys drive. Also,hate to say this, but some of the shippers can be deceitful. Husband had to meet another driver at a scale house one time. They had to off load half of the load into Husband's empty trailer. The other driver had picked up a load that was only supposed to be 30,000 according to the paperwork. The driver didn't scale it. It was almost 52,000. The driver got a $3000 ticket. And when they opened the trailer it wasn't even what the paperwork said it was.
        B. Always take your safety classes ....no safety classes means no raise.
        C. Always ask for layover/detention pay. They will not tell you if you are entitled to it, you do not get it automatically, request it on the QC. If you do not then you will not be paid for your time.
       D. If you can ....always look in the trailer before they seal it on a live load.
       E.Keep your own records, double check your pay.....especially when you have done swaps at night or on weekends or picked up empty trailers.

5. From passport - 

     Good luck to all the new drivers hitting the road. One tip, start applying for your travel center reward cards while out with your trainer so you can start accruing points and showers right away when you get your own truck. Especially the one for TA as that one must be sent to you in the mail, they will give you a temp one but it is a pain to use. Apply for the TA card at the redemption kiosk.
         

Texas Receivers

Waco -  Anheuser Busch

From bwaync -

Anheuser Busch, 1701 Exchange Pkwy, Waco,TX.
Treq GPS will send you every way but the right way!
From I-35, take Exit 330B. Take that road to the Beverly Drive exit. Take the service road to a stop sign, make a U-turn left under the highway and back the other direction on the service road. Turn right on Exchange Pkwy, AB is the first bldg on the right.

Been to this place 4 times, Treq has yet to send me the same way twice.

Mt. Vernon -  Lowes Distribution Center

955 Lowes Lane

Mt. Vernon, Texas 75457

903-537-7500

Was usually a drop and hook

https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=Lowe's+Texas+Distribution+Center&fb=1&gl=us&hq=lowes&hnear=0x864a0fd3f6d92601:0xb305758660949dbe,Mt+Vernon,+TX&cid=0,0,11577289058688261103&ei=mSQ9UrP4JOml2wXHiYHgAw&ved=0CLYBEPwSMAo

Plainview -  WalMart Distribution Center

3101 Quincy Street

Plainview, Texas 79072
806-293-4249

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=3101+quincy+st+plainview+tx&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x8701ea1e1e7881d3:0xa8d0838fac8f40c,3101+Quincy+St,+Plainview,+TX+79072&gl=us&ei=pcFQUuHnHon89QTzqYDYCw&ved=0CC4Q8gEwAA

Texas Shippers

Friona -  Cargill

1530 US 60

Friona, Texas 79035

806-295-3201

https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=Cargill+Meat+Solutions&fb=1&gl=us&hq=cargill&hnear=0x8703a85ea32e75a1:0xa4c4e76e34f111e7,Friona,+TX&cid=0,0,5901705024438021256&ei=0Zc4UqTjLemc2QXZ34GwAw&sqi=2&ved=0CK0BEPwSMAo

Overnight Parking - but is by a busy railroad track.

Small truck stop just up the road

Paris -  Campbell Soup Co.

500 NW Loop 286

Paris, Texas 75460

Heavy ...be sure and scale

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=500+nw+loop+286+paris+tx&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x864af7f63423aca1:0x4a09bc325426bfaf,500+Texas+286+Loop,+Paris,+TX+75460&gl=us&ei=hxc9UoDZPMTfyQGo8oGYBw&ved=0CCwQ8gEwAA

Cactus -  JBS

5950 Monfort Road

Cactus, Texas 79013
806-966-5103

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=5950+monfort+road,+cactus,+texas&ie=UTF-8&ei=NmpTUqPTJ8PrqAG1l4BY&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAg

Pennsylvania Receivers

Hazleton -  Case Ready Meats (Cargill)

65 Green Mountain Road

Hazleton, Pennsylvania 18202

570-384-8350

From Transam Pete -
Case Ready Meats Hazleton Pa
Gps is good to getting you as far as Green Mountain Rd
Case Ready Meats is actually 1/2 mile down on the LEFT
from where the gps says you have arrived
and is a Cargill plant

plenty of room but dark
no lines at the door to line up with

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=65+green+mountain+road+hazleton+pa&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x89c597f719fe5133:0x319dc7614aefe1e2,65+Green+Mountain+Rd,+Hazleton,+PA+17967&gl=us&ei=E-85Uob5HabL2QXr8ICIBQ&ved=0CCwQ8gEwAA

Bedford - WalMart Distribution Center

181 Walmart Road

Bedford, Pa. 15522

814-624-5200

From Transam Pete - WMDC Bedford Pa
don't get there any earlier then one hour 
one hour and 15 minutes early they turned me back out
not much parking in Bedford 7-8 spots at mcdonalds
another 7-8 behind the super 8
service plazas out on the turnpike
or the big TS's at Breezewood 20 miles further east

From Panhandle Flash - Can also go north on I 99, to the next xt and park there. Just don't park under bridges. Just delievered in Bedford the other day myself. Wasn't to a wally world tho.

https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=Walmart+Distribution+Center&fb=1&gl=us&hq=walmart+distribution+center&hnear=0x89ca525c4633bb23:0xecc6177784f5df0c,Bedford,+PA&cid=0,0,4281427281990128118&ei=WVVIUrrUHIGK2gWEy4DoAQ&ved=0CK4BEPwSMAs

Pennsylvania Shippers

North East -  Roberts/Welches

5501 Route 89

North East, Pennsylvania 16428

Fairly routine here.  For the most part was a drop and hook ....but inspect trailers carefully when you pick up.

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=5501+route+89+north+east+pa&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x882d641c28e272c3:0x4ca32e14a9b08d81,5501+Pennsylvania+89,+North+East,+PA+16428&gl=us&ei=JOI8Uu-kBOXP2wWCqICgBA&ved=0CCwQ8gEwAA

Bloomsburg -  Del Monte Pet

6670 Low Street

Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania 17815

570-389-7650

https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=Del+Monte+Foods+Co&fb=1&gl=us&hq=del+monte+pet&hnear=0x89c5877f1c500853:0x71c54acaf4d64d0,Bloomsburg,+PA&cid=0,0,15622982302272538712&ei=fYk-UoPfI4OM2QWdjIG4Dg&ved=0CKQBEPwSMAo

Milesburg -  Coca Cola

217 Aquapenn Drive 

Milesburg, Pa 16853

814-357-8600

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=217+aquapenn+drive+milesburg+pa&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x89ce98102c487511:0x89bcddafc7b1dd4b,217+Aquapenn+Dr,+Howard,+PA+16841&gl=us&ei=l2FIUoG2PKeA2gX4rYHoCA&ved=0CC4Q8gEwAA

Helpful Equipment in Setting Up Your Truck

National Truck Stop Directory and/or Pocket Truck Stop Guide
small pair of bolt cutters
Microwave 700 watt $59 at WalMart
Bluetooth Headset - most recommended - BlueParrott B250-XT +

CB radio - preferred models -  Cobra 29LTD
A  good GPS - Rand McNally
Flyswatter
Small George Foreman grill
Small can opener
4 cup coffee pot - Mr. Coffee, approx. $20 at WalMart

Favorite Places To Eat

Missouri -  I-44

Midwest Petroleum Truck Plaza

5922 Missouri 19

Cuba, Missouri 65453

573-885-3229

Hoods Truck Stop and Service Center - exit 61

1651 S. Hwy. K

Bois D'Arc, Missouri 65612

417-732-6632

Arkansas -  I-40

Nick's BBQ and Catfish

www.nicksbq.com

1012 Bankhead Drive

Carlisle, Arkansas 72024

870-552-3887

Iowa -  I-80

Pine Cone Restaurant

4175 Iowa 21

Brooklyn, Iowa 52211 

319-685-6931

Texas -  I-20

From joey 7119-glad the site is back up. do we have a thread for good places to eat at? sorry if i missed it but would like to suggest texas smokehouse on I-20 in Texas at the shell station. it is actually a truck stop with some truck parking. they pack your plate and the prices are reasonable with daily specials as well. the store also has a variety of soda flavors from regular cola to bacon flavored etc. There is also a spot with truck parking on i-20 in texas at exit 240 called soulmans bbq there is a Loves truckstop next store. they have a great loaded potatoe and their food prices are reasonable as well.

www.soulmans.com/locations/
 According to google - Texas Best Smokehouse has 2 locations on I-20, exit 571A and exit 596

I-45 -La Gran Familia

3901 Se McKinney Street

Rice, Texas 75155
903-326-4025

Call her 15 to 20 minutes ahead of getting there and she will have your order ready. Overnight parking about 30 or 40 spaces

https:/maps.google.com/maps?q=3901+Se+Mckinney+St.,+Rice,+Texas&ie=UTF-8&ei=nRpnUq-COsnj2wXAuIDIDQ&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAg

Florida -  Auburndale

From Honeybadger - 

FireWood Bar.B.Q

1801 Highway 559

Auburndale, Florida

Good BBQ, overnight parking and a mobile washout service. Washout is $40 and they take TCH

Oklahoma - Nowata

El Tapatio

132 S. Ash Street

Nowata, Oklahoma

Reasonable prices, good food. Room for a big truck to park ....and will let you overnight if you ask
.https://maps.google.com/maps?q=132+S+Ash+St+nowata+ok&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x87b7a436b3df4715:0xe5510e424dbfef1,132+S+Ash+St,+Nowata,+OK+74048&gl=us&ei=hFRwUt-8EeS22AXmqYDAAg&ved=0CC4Q8gEwAA

Illinois - Pocahontas I-70 exit 36

Powhatan Diner
(618) 669-2233
Truck parking, overnight is okay but is a dirt lot

What To Pack For Orientation

From jaso36 - You should bring shower shoes and whatever minimal stuff you will need to survive till you get home to get everything. They have GPS in trucks but I still bring my map as I know I can trust it, I have a t-700 and the bed is full and I think they are in the t680 but not 100% sure. Have no idea about the T-660. Both loads that I have done so far have been 1400+ so that is nice especially coming from dry van when anything over 800 is rare mostly 500 mile runs. I think they route everyone home on their first trip so if you forget something don't worry you will be home soon enough to get it. 
They say pack light cause they send you home on your first trip. They did me so I got everything in truck. Don't need much for orientation except DL, SSN Card, Medical card and a voided check if you want direct deposit. Bring enough clothes for a week and full size bedding. I brought twin, pretty funny scene watching me try to make a twin fitted sheet fit but I did until I sat down and then poof all four corners went at once. LOL.

From Honeybadger  - For orientation I packed: toiletries, including shower shoes; a weeks worth of clothing; bed sheets to fit a twin bed; my pillow and favorite blanket... catch is, this is thr only time in my life I ever used the food saver to vaccuum seal anything... rolled and tied pillow and blanket and vaccuum sealed them to save room in my bag; work gloves; atlas; netbook; driving school info, HS diploma (I think I took it), SS card; Kindle and electronic chargers. Also had a battery pack I could plug in to the inverter and then pull it off later and use to charge my phone out and about.

The Orientation Process

Pay -

     $50 per day 

     Starting pay for a company driver .30 cpm, with a half cent increase every 6 months
     Of that .30 cpm, .12  cents is considered per diem and not taxed
     There is a safety bonus paid quarterly if you qualify

Day 1  -
     Paperwork
     Drug test




Day 2 -
     CSA regulations
     Harassment issues



From gamma - Given out at orientation in Rockwall

      

Helpful Websites

Google

Google Maps

www.Dieselboss.com

www.findfuelstops.com

www.TruckMiles.com
www.Life360.com  - if you have a smart phone
www.bluebeacon.com
www.catscales.com
www.drivecam.com
www.bluetreesystems.com
www.missingtruckdriver.com
www.cdllife.com
http://www.pegasustranstech.com/products/transflo-mobile
truckercharity.org

Michigan Receivers

Hamtrack -  Border City Meats

From Transam Pete

the gate opens at midnite
pretty much a straight shot up I94 to I75N for a mile then the exit
don't get there before midnite not a nice part of town 
but I get there give my arrived call then take a 10 give my empty call
and a new day begins

hamtrack is pretty much Detroit

Detroit -  Metro Cold Storage

2529 Orleans

Detroit, Michigan 48207

313-259-4647

From Transam Pete

ok to all you newbies
write this down
because you will be going there
Detroit Mich Metro
These loads are just transfer loads in the worst part of town
you can get there the night before They have a staging area yard down the street with guards dogs and concertina wire
address of secure staging area is 1900 Pierce St Detroit
follow Gps in easiest way to that address not the Gps address to Metro
will take you down a no truck street for 200 yards that everyone ignores

guy will come by grab your paperwork and come get you when the canadien truck gets there to transfer
you can get a 10 hour break there and have a fresh set of hours to start next day
https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=Metro+Cold+Storage+Inc&fb=1&gl=us&hq=metro+cold+storage+detroit+mi&cid=0,0,7778428947003326293&ei=L7Q_UqziKcGJqQHOuoBY&ved=0CJUBEPwSMAs

Detroit -  Sherwood Food Distributors

From New OTR Wife

Sherwood Food Distributors

12499 Evergreen Road Detroit, MI 48228 If you use this address, you will go to a shopping center.

Use this address 12499 Evergreen Srv Rd

Detroit -  Wolverine Meat Packing

2535 Rivard

Detroit, Michigan 48207

313-259-7500

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=2535+rivard+detroit+mi+48207&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x8824d2d14dc28e01:0xe71b47918aec1062,2535+Rivard+St,+Detroit,+MI+48207&gl=us&ei=YY8-UuzDHpGA2AX-toAg&ved=0CCwQ8gEwAA