Has anyone actually driven a M35 20+hours?

[grounded]

can you leave early... like 6-12 hrs? it would be better. cause you know if you try to do it all last minute. SOMETHING will happen!!

 

[fabiodriven]

For 10 months in Iraq we drove 818's for 8-12 hours a day, 150+ degrees. The only difference between that and a deuce is the muffler. During the last two months I would have a migraine hedache every day we got to where we were going.

 

[Chevytruck]

yeah all I know is that 22+ hours is along time... I have no choice, I'm leaving Kentucky and my daily driver is a M35 so it just a matter of will power. I just don't want to fall asleep in the damn thing kill someone.

take out hearing protection if your going to fall asleep!

the noise should keep you awake!

 

[pittdog]

you'l get used to it ! Lill better than a deuce!.... Pull over every ... 80 mi or so.. Pmcs thing and streach out ! ... And do you're bodely funchions ... Smoke one .. Pittdog.... Usa.. Ret ... 52-d..... 63-b

 

[usmarines72]

talk to USMC Deuce Corporal guy. He did a 2600 miles deuce recovery. Yes 2600 miles in a deuce

 

[Brock Steel]

Only the young..... Use the force Luke... I thing 60 miles any given day is quite enought...

 

[wdbtchr]

Makes my bones ache just thinking about it.

 

[Rolling_Eudaimonia]

I think a fat guy used to sit in truck because the drivers seat has a flat cushion... I need to get some extra padding for that soon. I'm too lazy to fix it this trip. I'm not really concerned that much, I've but 3,000miles on it 1 year of owning it. The truck is great shape. I just wanted to know if you guys had any tips like extra seat cushions or how to work out an ipod and earmuffs so you can actually hear it. Tricks for not going insane from 20+ hours alone in the cab.

 

[CanonNinja]

about the getting tired thing... it WILL happen, especially with good hearing protection... that drone from the diesel will put you to sleep towards the end of the drive... i ended up drifting off while coming up to a state trooper with someone pulled over... my copilot said i came to a complete stop on the freeway and punched me thinking i was being stupid... i was dreaming about coming to a red light

 

[Desert Deuce]

2000 miles in my XM816 - 4 days
800 miles in my M109A3 - 2 days
900 miles in my M275A2 - 2 days, did this trip twice
450 miles in M35A2 - 1 Day

Have some upcoming long trips planned:

1800 miles in my XM818
1700 miles in an M35A2

I can usually go about 12 hours then I get rest, usually a cheap motel. Anything over 12 hours and I'm mush, also a danger to myself and everyone around me. Why do you think there are hour limits on OTR truckers?

Ya gotta love it!!

 

[FreightTrain]

38-40 hours for me Gadsden,Al to Indianapolis,In to Gadsden,Al....but around 10hours was at home packing and taking care of stuff,10 hours going up there in a ford escort(GIVE ME A DEUCE ANY DAY FOR LONG TRIPS!!!!),3 to 5 hours up there getting trucks rigged,loaded,fired,checked,duct taped,15 hours back in a deuce in a snow storm(or as wrecker calls it the Mother of all storms) with no heat,No passenger side window(well it was there but held up with duct tape and wood stirring sticks and would fall 1/4" every bump in teh road I hit,Semi functional wipers(DRY ROT SUCKS!).

Ok,so it wasn't in a deuce the whole way but I was up all that time with NO rest or even a nap....unless I slept while driving..........I can't remember.It was mostly a blurr...

 

[67Cougar]

Good Luck on the trip. I did 27 hours straight on my trip from Utah to Southern Arizona. I was so sore when I got done.

Get a piece of foam for the seat. My rear end was the most sore when I got done.

I would also recommend 2 different types of hearing protection. I had ear plugs and ear muffs. I would switch out each stop. Still by the end of the trip my ears were tired of both styles. I can't imagine doing it with only one style.

As for the ipod. If you get the right kind of ear muffs you can put them over your ear buds if they are the small kind.

Don't push it! Mine ran like a champ the whole time, but I took it easy on the hills, no full throttle for long periods of time.

Each stop be sure to walk around and feel how warm your tires are. If you get a slow leak on the trip you can save a tire if you catch it in time.

Enjoy the trip. Find games to play and keep your eyes and mind occupied and you should do ok. GOOD LUCK ! ! ! !

 

[Desert Deuce]

I think a fat guy used to sit in truck because the drivers seat has a flat cushion... I need to get some extra padding for that soon. I'm too lazy to fix it this trip. I'm not really concerned that much, I've but 3,000miles on it 1 year of owning it. The truck is great shape. I just wanted to know if you guys had any tips like extra seat cushions or how to work out an ipod and earmuffs so you can actually hear it. Tricks for not going insane from 20+ hours alone in the cab.

I use over the head ear muffs (Harbor Freight) or Bose Noise Canceling headphones with an IPOD. I bring both. You will need a decent cushion to sit on.

 

[Green_gator]

Break the trip up into two days. Got in earlier this evening to my brother's place in Grand Junction, CO from Des Moines, Iowa. Spent one night on the road in NE Colorado and it made the drive a lot easier. I have done four long recoveries and the 1,200 mile Texas to Florida in one short left me a wreck for a couple of days after I got home.

 

[cranetruck]

Did some interstate deliveries with my deuce and actually had a DOT# stenciled on the doors. Along with the log, medical card and stopping at weigh stations I got into the habit of taking my time and enjoying the drives.
Follow Rosco's advise and break it up, 10-11 hr/day is just right and stop to check tires, bearing temps and lug nuts often. While driving check your gauges continuously.

On the 6,000 mile round trip to CA, I got used to sleeping in the cab of the deuce, loved that faint ticking from the Russian tank clock and listening to the CB at night...

As for the "gas" pedal thing, I shift between left and right foot every so often. Earplugs on the freeways, take them out for "around town" driving.

Keep a 5-gallon jug with fuel on the truck just in case.


Good luck on your trip and get used to driving at a slow pace and watch traffic on the on-ramps!

 

[Wild Horse Hans]

Long trips can be fun, or can be a real nightmare depending on the attitude of the person driving.
I drove from FL to NH in about 22 hours in my Dodge pickup which is pretty comfortable to drive and that was a fun trip.
I did the same trip in a small car and it was horrible.
A couple of tips that may help.
1. take longer fuel stop rests and check everything out. It gives you a chance to walk around a bit and flex your body.
2. If you do get tired stop and take a nap.
3. If you do take a nap, get out and walk around to the passenger side to do it. Never take a nap in the drivers seat. It's a mental thing. If you nap behind the wheel, your mind sort of thinks that it is O.K. to do so and you just may fall asleep on the road.
4. Don't get into the mindset of I have to get there by XXXX. Getting there is the important thing, not making the best time doing it.
5. Get into the habit of scanning the gauges often. In the deuce the gauges are not in your normal field of vision and you can get in the habit of not checking them. Same goes for the mirrors. This also helps keep your head in the game so to speak when things get boring.
I'm sure others have more good tips, and I hope these help you out.
Hans

 

[jimk]

I drove to southern NJ and back w/30ft trailer(600miles) Had a p/u then a few rest stops on way back. Stack muffler would have been nice but did not have it at time. Didn't have turbo either, then MPG was about 5 or 6. Ave speed was 50 M/T and 35 loaded. 25-30 up hills loaded, and lots of hills on way, as will be case with your trip. The driving part was easy and fun. Traffic is no problem as you don't have to pass and never get slowed by others. Syracuse area has good member support.

 

[jimm1009]

loooooong trip

I have never been that far but I have noticed that with the spring seat, my knee hurt really bad after 75 miles. In the box seat(in same truck), it does not.
I always get out every 75 miles and walk around whether I need it or not.
10 minutes on the ground moving those knees makes all the difference.
And I know everyone will laugh really loud, but can you say CUP HOLDER?
I purchased one that you can jamb down in the seat cushion which workd well.
I would also suggest a small cooler that cans be lashed into place within reach just to the right of you on the passenger seat. Drink plenty of water as you will get dehydrated driving so much. They are wonderful, sexy machines but the extract water from you somehow.
Loose pants that you can pull aside to drain your bladder while in the seat (not while driving please) with a containeer for same is a must.
Good luck. You will be "thrashed" if you post with out pictures as you know.
The route that you take should be beautiful this time of year especially if you are going throught the Green Mountains in upper NY but equally in Kentucky, lwer Ohio, etc.
We MUST have pictures (please).
See attched picture of device made for aviation use in small planes. It actually has an adapter for female use too but is extra to basic unit.
See PDF attachment.

 

[roscoe]

"I think a fat guy used to sit in truck because the drivers seat has a flat cushion... I need to get some extra padding for that soon. I'm too lazy to fix it this trip. I'm not really concerned that much, I've but 3,000miles on it 1 year of owning it. The truck is great shape. I just wanted to know if you guys had any tips like extra seat cushions or how to work out an ipod and earmuffs so you can actually hear it. Tricks for not going insane from 20+ hours alone in the cab"

1.Pick up plenty of hitch hikers. Concern over being stabbed, shot or molested will kick in your survival insticts and keep you alert and focused.

2. Get a book on tape from crackerbarrel.

 

[grounded]

As far as driving. Some are made for it, some are not. I don't care what I'm sitting behind the wheel of......I'll drive until the cows come home.

Or the engine goes out

Glad to see you got home