Introduction to Rick’s Career and Truck

Rick, an owner-operator from Canton, Ohio, has finally achieved his goal of joining Reliable Carriers, a company he’s been trying to join since 1999. He started working with them in March and has been enjoying his job, feeling fortunate to be in a better place. Rick’s role involves hauling oversized equipment and trucks, which he finds fulfilling.

The Truck’s Features and Amenities

Rick’s 2020 Kenworth W9 truck is a self-contained vehicle with a 156-inch sleeper, bathroom, and kitchen, making his driving experience enjoyable. The truck features an 18-speed manual transmission, smart wheel, Jake brake, clearance lights, and cruise control, among other amenities. The PTO switch with a red light indicator and Jake brake contribute to a more enjoyable driving experience.

The truck’s interior is designed for comfort, with air ride and heated seats for cold winter days. The sleeper has a side door, making it convenient to load groceries or clothes, and is often referred to as the driver’s “home away from home“. Additional features include an automatic step and screen door for the sleeper, ensuring comfortable entry and exit.

Living Space and Amenities

The sleeper is equipped with amenities such as a bed, breakfast nook, sink with hot and cold running water, and a hot water heater, making it feel like a home away from home. The truck also features a flat top stove, coffee pot, and overhead air conditioner with heating and cooling capabilities. A microwave convection oven and refrigerator freezer provide convenient food storage and preparation options.

Other notable features include a smart fan with vent control for removing cooking fumes and an overhead temperature control for maintaining a comfortable temperature. The truck is also equipped with systems to monitor the inverter, batteries, and water storage, with a capacity of 260 gallons of fresh water in two tanks.

Trailer Features and Job Enjoyment

Rick enjoys traveling with his wife in a household trailer, which can be used to haul other vehicles thanks to its unique features such as a drop valve and airbags. The trailer has barn doors that open wide and a single rack that can hold one vehicle on top and another underneath, allowing for easy loading and strapping of cars.

Rick expresses his enjoyment of his job and appreciation for his colleagues’ friendly and helpful nature, which creates a family-like atmosphere. He feels supported at his job, where colleagues are willing to help and address him by name.

Conclusion and Recommendation

Rick has had a consistently positive experience at Reliable Carriers, which has brought joy back into his life. He looks forward to his wife being able to retire and join him on the road. Rick encourages others to join the business, promising they won’t be unhappy, and expresses gratitude to Reliable Carriers for the opportunity to work with them.

Key benefits of working with Reliable Carriers: supportive colleagues, family-like atmosphere, and opportunities for growth and happiness.
Recommendation: consider joining Reliable Carriers for a fulfilling and enjoyable career.

Key Vocabulary

Term	Definition	Example Usage
Owner-Operator	An individual who owns and operates their own trucking business.	Rick is an owner-operator from Canton, Ohio, who has joined Reliable Carriers.
18-Speed Manual Transmission	A type of transmission that allows the driver to manually shift between 18 different gears.	Rick’s 2020 Kenworth W9 truck features an 18-speed manual transmission.
Smart Wheel	A type of steering wheel that provides additional features and controls for the driver.	The truck features a smart wheel, which contributes to a more enjoyable driving experience.
Jake Brake	A type of engine brake that helps to slow down the vehicle.	The truck is equipped with a Jake brake, which helps to slow down the vehicle.
Clearance Lights	Lights that indicate the height and width of the vehicle to other drivers.	The truck features clearance lights, which help to indicate its size to other drivers.
Cruise Control	A system that allows the driver to set a constant speed, which the vehicle will maintain.	The truck is equipped with cruise control, which makes long drives more comfortable.
PTO Switch	A switch that controls the power take-off, which is used to power auxiliary equipment.	The truck features a PTO switch with a red light indicator, which helps to monitor the power take-off.
Sleeper	A compartment in the truck where the driver can sleep.	The truck has a 156-inch sleeper, which provides a comfortable place for Rick to rest.
Home Away from Home	A phrase used to describe a place where someone feels comfortable and at ease, away from their actual home.	The sleeper is often referred to as Rick’s “home away from home” due to its comfort and amenities.
Family-Like Atmosphere	A work environment that is welcoming and supportive, similar to a family.	Rick enjoys the family-like atmosphere at Reliable Carriers, where colleagues are friendly and helpful.

Watch The Video

How Car Hauler Lives on the Road! Inside Truckers Custom 156″ ARI Sleeper | Reliable Cribs S4E2

Vocabulary Quiz

1. Which feature of Rick’s truck contributes to a more enjoyable driving experience by allowing for smoother gear shifts?

A) Jake brake
B) Clearance lights
C) 18-speed manual transmission
D) Cruise control

2. What is the primary purpose of the PTO switch with a red light indicator in Rick’s truck?

A) To control the air conditioner
B) To monitor the inverter and batteries
C) To engage the power take-off for auxiliary equipment
D) To adjust the smart fan with vent control

3. Which of the following amenities is NOT available in the sleeper of Rick’s truck?

A) Bed
B) Breakfast nook
C) Sink with hot and cold running water
D) Swimming pool

4. What type of oven is available in Rick’s truck for convenient food preparation?

A) Conventional oven
B) Microwave convection oven
C) Toaster oven
D) Outdoor grill

5. What is the capacity of fresh water storage in Rick’s truck?

A) 100 gallons in one tank
B) 260 gallons in two tanks
C) 500 gallons in three tanks
D) 1000 gallons in four tanks

Answer Key:

1. C
2. C
3. D
4. B
5. B

Grammar Focus

Grammar Focus: Present Perfect Tense for Life Experiences

The present perfect tense is used to describe an action that started in the past and continues up to the present moment, or an action that happened at an unspecified time in the past and has a connection to the present. For example, in the text, “He has been trying to join since 1999″ indicates that Rick started trying to join Reliable Carriers in 1999 and continued trying until he finally achieved his goal. Another example is “He has been enjoying his job,” which shows that Rick started enjoying his job at some point in the past and continues to enjoy it now. This tense is often used with words like “since” and “for” to specify the duration of the action. The present perfect tense can also be used to talk about life experiences, such as “He has achieved his goal” or “He has been working with them since March.”

Grammar Quiz:

1. Rick ____________________ his goal of joining Reliable Carriers since 1999.

A) has achieved

B) achieves

C) was achieving

D) is achieving

2. By the time he joined Reliable Carriers, Rick ____________________ to join the company for 22 years.

A) has been trying

B) was trying

C) is trying

D) tried

3. Since March, Rick ____________________ with Reliable Carriers and enjoys his job.

A) has been working

B) was working

C) is working

D) works

4. Rick’s wife ____________________ him on the road once she retires.

A) will join

B) joins

C) is joining

D) has joined

5. Rick ____________________ a consistently positive experience at Reliable Carriers.

A) has had

B) had

C) has

D) is having

Answer Key:

1. A) has achieved

2. A) has been trying

3. A) has been working

4. A) will join

5. A) has had