December 2006 Edition
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"Becoming an owner operator takes time getting used to. You learn as you go." - Bill Montminy

It's my business . . . this is how I'm going to run it
Dart contractor Bill Montminy shares his secrets to saving more money at the pump

Kristin Ries, Staff Reporter
Owner operators: You already know the answer to "What is your biggest operating expense?" Fuel. Since you own your own business, it's up to you to control your costs.

When Bill Montminy contracted with Dart in 2002, he made the transition from being a company driver to owner operator, and found out that it meant more than owning a truck – it meant owning a business.

"I was a company driver for 11 years," Bill explained. "As an owner operator, I have my name on the title. I'm in charge of my business. Becoming an owner operator takes time getting used to. You learn as you go. And you have to listen and take others' advice. Everybody needs advice."

Bill took all the encouragement and advice he could get, and now he shares what he has learned about cutting his fuel cost.

How do aerodynamics affect your fuel economy?
Bill: My first truck was a 2000 Freightliner FLD. Six months ago, I upgraded to a 2007 Volvo. The Volvo cuts the wind better than the FLD, which cuts my fuel consumption.

How do factors such as the weight of a load affect your fuel economy?
Bill: With my FLD I would get 5.5 to 6 miles per gallon (mpg) with all kinds of loads. With the Volvo I get between 6.5 and 7 mpg with light loads and 5.5 to 6 mpg with heavy loads. With one load that was 2,500 pounds I got 8 mpg. That's why everybody likes the light loads, but I'll haul anything, as long as the wheels are turning. Sugar, paper – if a shipper puts it in the trailer, I'll haul it.

Do you use dart.net to find the cheapest places to fuel?
Bill: Yes. I have a laptop in my truck and I check fuel prices on Dart's web site, or I call Mark (Mark Wilk, Dart License and Fuel Manager) and he sends them through e-mail. It depends on where I am and what load it is. If I can't get online, then my girlfriend checks the site for me. (See page 6 for information on wireless communications.)

What else do you use your laptop for?
Bill: It's my second laptop and I've had it for three years. It's a Dell with a bigger hard drive than my first one because I like to play games on it when I'm bored. But I never have it turned on unless I'm stopped. My sister made a program in Microsoft Excel to keep track of my mileage. I enter in exactly what I get per load, my maintenance accounts, fuel tax, all my fuel purchases, and the fuel adjustment for every single load. I keep track of everything. I know exactly what comes out daily. I'm going to my sister's house to pick up a truck routing program. The program shows the best route for 53-foot trailers and sends you down legal roads.

What other fuel-saving "tools" do you have?
Bill: I have a 400-watt power inverter. I'm looking at getting a generator, because I idle on cold days (34 degrees and below). I notice if I idle more, I get lower fuel mileage. Idling burns 8 to 10 gallons in 8 hours. You've got to keep track of that.

What else do you keep track of?
Bill: I write everything down. If I do maintenance or have any work done I write down the date, mileage, and where I got it done. I carry memo pads to write down everything. I keep track of oil changes and when I change my fuel filters. I get an oil change every 20,000 miles. With my FLD I changed the air filter every 60-80,000 miles. It only costs $80 and it pays you back in fuel economy. I also noticed the FLD did a little better in fuel economy after it had an overhead. I carry extra fuel filters, oil and tools in the Volvo for the small things I can do.

Do you check your tire pressure?
Bill: I keep track of all my tires and air pressure. I have the Crossfire Tire Pressure Equalization System on my four drive tires, which controls the air pressure in the tires, but I check my tires every week to make sure there is 100 pounds of pressure. My last set of drive tires went 380,000 miles. Every time I get new steer tires I get an alignment at the Pro Stop Truck Service, Inc. in Dallas, Texas, within 10,000 miles. I've gotten both my trucks worked on at Pro Stop. The mechanics there are great, and they know my truck. They'll fix what you want done, and won't fix anything without you telling them. Pro Stop does a wonderful job. If I want the job done right, I bring it to Pro Stop. I just got my truck winterized there. They do a thorough job and check everything.

What about when you are driving – do you set your cruise?
Bill: I use my cruise control as much as I can. Except for wintertime. I get better fuel economy when I set the cruise.

Do you have any other advice?
Bill: Know your truck. You got to get used to it, and you'll know when you have a problem. Keep track of everything. Know when your bills are due and know when to settle. I run two months at a time, and I am a month ahead of time on my bills. When I first started as an owner operator, fuel prices were going up. But I learned you just have to be smarter than the oil companies, and work on your fuel economy. I told myself if I survive my first truck and get a second one, then I am successful.
 

Looking for a great holiday gift idea? Check out the new items at the Pro Shop!

Just in time for the holidays...
New clothing available at Dart's Pro Shop!

Looking for a holiday gift for you, a friend, or a family member? Look no further. At Dart's Pro Shop you're sure to find something for everyone.

Pro Shop just received nicely tailored blouses and polo shirts for women, long-sleeved denim oxfords for men and women, and pullover and zip-down hooded sweatshirts. The Pro Shop also sells children's clothing and stuffed animals - great gifts for kids.

To view Pro Shop's products go to Dart's homepage and click on "Dart Wear" in the left-hand column or stop by the store at Dart's Eagan Office during store hours (Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.).

For more information please call Edie Davidson, Pro Shop Specialist at x1398.

 
Minnesota Convoy raises $23,000 for Special Olympics

Minnesota Truck Convoy

Minnesota's trucking industry banded together on Saturday, October 21 for the grand finale of the 2006 "World's Largest Truck Convoy." The effort raised over $23,000 for Special Olympics.

The convoy is an annual event, held in several metro areas across the country, raising money for Special Olympics athletes. Each year, Dart sponsors the Twin Cities, Minnesota and Dallas, Texas convoys.

The Minnesota convoy was both the grand finale for 2006, and one of the largest of the year. As a carrier, Dart provided $2,500 in sponsorship funds for the event.

A total of 133 trucks officially registered, and they stretched for miles as they traversed a route which started at the Mall of America, ran east on I-494, turned south on I-35E, and then returned to the Mall of America on Highway 77 (Cedar Avenue).

The seemingly endless line of trucks no doubt confused many motorists, but the professional drivers inside those trucks knew exactly what they were doing. They were providing financial support to Special Olympics. "It's all about the kids," said one Dart contractor after another.

No one played a larger role than Dart contractor Brad Chapdelaine, who worked for months to generate support for the event. Besides recruiting many of his fellow Dart contractors for the convoy, he sold Special Olympics t-shirts and held a raffle for an XM radio, raising over $1,300 on his own.

Dart contractors who participated in the event included Doug Casey, Brad Chapdelaine, Tom Curtis, Merl and Phyllis Dent, Tom Devine, Samuel Flategraff, Larry Greene, James Jepson, Scott Keck, James MacPhee, Tom Pacheck, Michael Podolsky, James Rarrick, Anthony Reeves, Michael Richardson, Chad Riney, Larry Severson, Larry Van Dame, Rolando Velazquez-Cruz, and Dennis Whatton.

Watch for announcements on how to register for next year's convoy.

Contractors of the Month

Larry Deviney - Dallas Operating Center

Kristin Ries, Staff Writer
Twenty-year Dart contractor, Larry Deviney, is where he's at today for a reason. His two brothers, dad, and even his grandfather spent time driving trucks.

"That's how I got hooked on trucking," Larry explains. Now, Larry is just a few months away from paying off his sixth truck, a 2000 International. He operates it with a National contract. "I like running in the Midwest as much as possible, but I go where the miles are." And it shows! Larry is coming up on two million accident-free miles with Dart.

Larry said being Contractor of the Month is a pleasant surprise. "I didn't expect it. I asked, ‘What did I do differently?' I feel pretty honored."

Tim Regan

Tim Regan - Eagan Operating Center

Kristin Ries, Staff Writer
Being a successful business owner runs in Tim Regan's genes. His father owned a business for 45 years, and Tim has been an owner operator for nearly 30 years.

"I've never run across anything on the business side I didn't know," he says. "My dad taught me everything."

Tim has operated with a dedicated contract, taking loads from Saint Paul to Eagan, Minnesota for 10 years.
"Dart gets you home. I like woodworking, I'm a big motorcycle guy, and I just bought a pontoon-boat and lake property."

Tim also gets to know customers. "I've been doing it so long," he explains. "They don't worry about whether or not the cans will be there. Whenever they're running, I'm there. You have to have a real good work ethic if you're going to work for yourself."

Houston Contractor Appreciation Day

April Mann, Dallas City Supervisor
We celebrated Contractor Appreciation Day in Houston on Saturday, October 28th. Dart's truck-driving simulator was there for everyone to try. And there were give-a-ways and food galore!

We had a great turn out with contractors from our Houston City, Dedicated, National, and Super South operations. It was fantastic to see people from so many different Dart capacities. "It was just like a family picnic," said Ron Moore, Dart Director of Operations in Dallas. There were lots of familiar faces and plenty of new ones.

"So many of the local guys don't get up to Lancaster and this is really nice," said Lonnie Sanders, a Houston City contractor. Two contractors, August Power and Cesar Huerta, won free oil changes at Pro Stop Truck Service, Inc.

After prizes, the food arrived and it was time to eat. It was a beautiful afternoon and it was great to spend some time talking and relaxing with everyone. Hope to see you all at next year's Houston Contractor Appreciation Day!

Dart's annual charity fundraiser totals $12,685 for nonprofit organizations

Each year, Dart's Eagan Corporate Office designates "Charity Week" to raise money for nonprofit organizations or to support the community.

This year, "Charity Week" was October 16-20. Dart raised $12,685 to be divided between three organizations: the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, which funds research to develop a cure and control for Cystic Fibrosis; Lifeworks Services, which serves people with disabilities; and Dakota Woodlands, which offers short-term housing for homeless women and children of Dakota County.

The theme of Charity Week was "It's a fiesta!" Activities included "Penny Wars" between the departments, cookouts, build-your-own tacos, chips and salsa, buffalo wings, a pie sale, silent auction, raffles, a piñata, and several other games.