Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/328701
FIRST CLASS l 7 Oakland, where it would pick up ocean shipping containers that contained import- ed goods of unlimited variety. Connecting the Port of Oakland to northern Nevada with a steady haul of goods remains the firm's core business today, and it will make 50 trips a day. Back hauls to the port are made up primarily of hay these days, but what- ever they haul, it's likely to be heavy. Shippers pay a flat rate per container, and as a result are sure to load contain- ers to their maximum capacity. "They load them up to 46,000, 47,000 pounds," says Ed Meyer. "They're always pushing the limit. So the weight of our tractor is always a major concern, but Peterbilt has always helped us maximize our payloads." Brad Meyer notes that the wider front of the Model 579 also figures to improve fuel economy, as it will reduce the drag on the decidedly unaerody- namic containers they haul. Daily runs A typical run to the port — on a good day — takes just over nine hours. But Bay area traffic and time lost waiting on the docks can combine to push a driver's work day toward 10 hours, so Meyer has in the past specified most of his Model 386s with a sleeper, just in case. Meyer says the sleeper spec is a nod toward recognition of possible future Hours of Service changes down the road. Meyer also likes to stay a step ahead of requirements by the California Air Resources Board, which sets emissions standards in California more stringent than those set by the EPA. Peterbilt and the PACCAR MX, how- ever, have helped the company stay well ahead of the compliance curve. In fact, the "NevCal" dba is intended to communicate clearly to shippers that the firm is completely compliant with California's requirements. "If requirements on the port's carriers are accelerated, we're ready," sayd Brad. "Thanks to Peterbilt and some of our other suppliers, we're one of the most pre- pared fleets out there, in terms of meeting requirements in California." New technologies have also helped the company raise the bar on internal safety practices. Anti-roll stability and early use of disc brakes have prevented at least one accident, according to Brad, and quite possibly more. "Safety is No. 1 around here," he says. "And one thing that we've noticed about the new Model 579 is that the visibility is outstanding." After all, says Ed Meyer, keeping "fam- ily" safe is one of his top priorities. "We're always trying to integrate the newest technologies, provided they meet our criteria. The test is always, will it improve safety? Will it help fuel efficiency? Is it practical? "Peterbilt does an excellent job of ensuring that new technologies have a payoff."