Ramone suggested that “Loads to Mexico” might be a good subject for a thread. So here is a picture diary of what is 90% of the work that I do. I hope you enjoy the photos.
I weigh the trailer before I go to far. Axle weight for the trailer is about 200 kgs below the legal limit for the US. It’s a heavy load of paper with a final destination of Monterrey in Mexico.
Only a short queue at the US border. I am through in about 15 minutes.
First fuel-up is at the Petro Stopping Centre at Fargo, North Dakota.
Fuel for the driver too. Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen is one of my favorite fast-food joints. Chicken tenders, Cajun rice, biscuit, iced-tea and a dipping sauce.
I swing by Northern Tool to pick up an inverter for my motorhome. I love a good hardware superstore and wandering around for an hour. You can’t have too many tools.
The Cowboy Travel Plaza in the middle of no-where, Oklahoma.
But they do a good brisket sandwich. We knew dad had had a good week if we had brisket for Sunday lunch when i was a kid. Pity mum couldn’t cook it as good as these guys.
Second night-out is at the Oklahoma/Texas Stateline. A truckstop owned by the Choctaw Nation, one of 11 travel centres and 7 casinos that they have in southern Oklahoma.
The Interstate intersections in the Dallas/Fort Worth area are concrete proof that all Texas road designers had Hot-Wheel track-sets for Christmas when they were kids.
I always thought the Alamo was a set of ruins in the middle of no-where, like Stonehenge. But they are right in Downtown, San Antonio, and not for visiting with an 18 wheel semi. The Alamo is one of five old Spanish missions dotted along the San Antonio River and now linked by a new cycle-path. It’s on my bucket-list for when I have a bit more time in the area.
I always use the TA at Laredo. It’s at Junction 13 on Interstate 35, a bit north of the town and industrial areas but safer than parking in the streets which you might have to do if arriving late in the evening.
Instructions come in on the satellite; pick-up empty trailer from the drop-yard and load at bonded warehouse. But drop-yard security have buggered-off and left a Mexican bobtail across the gateway.
Out of Laredo and north, across country. Through one of the many Inland Customs and Border Patrol Checkpoints; this one has stables so they can patrol on horseback. These places check for illegals coming over from Mexico but will arrest British truck drivers if they don’t the correct paperwork. As one Yorkshire lad found out when his Visa Waiver was 2 days out of date. He was thrown in jail; where his employer promptly left him to rot.
Through the Texas Hill Country which reminds me of Var in the South of France. Arid countryside with limestone outcrops and all on Highway 83.
seems a lifetime ago when I ran team down to tx Chris… looks the same ,great picture diary by the way. hows your Mack getting on?. I thought the yorkie was deported back to England if its the same one I heard about.(green truck) or was that just a truckers tale.
JIMBO47:
seems a lifetime ago when I ran team down to tx Chris… looks the same ,great picture diary by the way. hows your Mack getting on?. I thought the yorkie was deported back to England if its the same one I heard about.(green truck) or was that just a truckers tale.
The Yorkie is still in Canada and is an owner/operator now. He was supposed to get deported but the green truck company sent another British driver to recover the truck. Mates don’t let mates rot in jail and much to the annoyance of the company; the recovery driver brought both truck and driver home.
yup… I mind who told me the story ,twas a Welshman driving one o the green trucks one night in Idaho. years back. he seemed confused meeting a Scotsman in a Canadian truck an American driving , on an internal US load…hehe.
The Swift driver just pulled-up and disappeared; didn’t get diesel or anything; just blocked the pump. It might have been an urgent number two but it is strange how many Swift drivers do exactly the same, all the time.
My own personal fast-food chain. In the village where I grew up; my older brother was Big Arby and I was Little Arby. I can still hear all the kids calling my name.
“Who broke that window?”
“Little Arby, Little Arby did it!”
Great thread,brilliant HD pictures. Some drivers moan on here re distance/ night out (im not going to use the word tramping) but you’ve certainly nothing to complain about there re different scenery/ facilities at least
Couldnt eat that food though…
have they not heard of Fruit and Veg in the US. 
years back. he seemed confused meeting a Scotsman in a Canadian truck an American driving , on an internal US load…hehe.
