Drive Safely's ATS journeys

[Drive Safely]

It's the year 2017. Following my journey with the Kenworth T680 in Europe, I brought the truck to America to start to develop my logistics company there.

To be fair, Las Vegas would not be a bad choice for my first garage since you get a lot of companies and a good amount of jobs going to Nevada, California and Arizona. However I don't want to be associated with that place. So I chose the next best thing, Phoenix! Here I arrive in Phoenix airport.


My truck needed some finetuning so I had to go for a quick job in another truck, which happened to be a T680 too. However, it had a sleeper cab, and it took me a long time to reverse this trailer perfectly in place because of the limited space and because I don't drive sleeper cab trucks often. Great start


After the quick job, I got a call that my imported truck was ready. I got it fitted with American style wheels and repainted it to white. Feels good to have my own truck again and to be driving a day cab truck.
I then got a new job with this super long trailer!


Some beautiful scenery here!


The roads between cities feel so much longer in the US. Feels great!




The tall trees look really cool!


I went to pick up another trailer in the cold night. I turned off the engine and went outside to check the right way to exit the place.
There were some soothing cricket ambience around me which was pretty nice. I got back in my truck and turned on the radio for a cruisy night drive.
♫ And you can tell everybody, this is your song ♫


I love the feeling when you discover another new favorite song on the radio. This time it was "Crying for No Reason" by Katy B. It's a breakstep ballad with an 80s synthesizer vibe and felt epic to listen to when cruising in the quiet night.
In perfect timing, the song finished just when I parked the truck and turned the engine off. Funnily enough I parked at a Peterbilt dealer. But I guess now those modern Peterbilt's can see what a real modern truck looks like.


The financial situation is looking stable with profits coming in. However the profit rate is very slow. Because I'm using a different economy mod you only earn about $1500 per job early on your career.
If anyone knows any good quality high value or fragile cargo trailer mods, let me know. I'm also looking for some real company logo mods. I have Grimes' mod and Keeper's mod enabled but it would be cool to have Voltison Motors, Coastline Mining and some of the gas stations replaced with real 3D logos too.

[BK Vissers]

My fav is 4th from the bottom, the trucks passing. Just seems like a scene in the highway I've seen countless times in real life and your shot captured that feeling for me.

Real company logos here

viewtopic.php?f=199&t=226312

I've not used it but it looks nice.

Nice start, I look forward to more; I love a good illustrated story! I think ATS screenshot threads get overlooked. I have one here and it's nice to see another begin.

[Hakan]

Great Start Of DS US Version! great shots and truck nice story!

[Drive Safely]

@BK Vissers - Thanks! Appreciate your comment!

@Hakan - Thanks Hakan!

At the time of this posting, my profit over a week was around $30,000 US dollars.
With some calculations It will take 5 more weeks to actually buy a new truck.


However I have not factored in garage prices. So if a small garage is to cost $180,000, then that will be an extra 6 weeks! So in total I have about 2.5 months tops to spend with this Kenworth T680.
I am just looking at the worst case scenario though. Obviously profits will be expected to rise with level up of skills and I will try to keep costs down on truck upgrades.


It's a harsh winter. I have over a million euros in ETS2 and to start a new career in ATS with little money is no luxury. Luckily fuel prices are quite low here.




There were some roads where I was allowed to drive 129 km/h. I even overtook some cars!


Found Las Vegas. It's huge!


Regular fuel stops since my tank only holds 500 L.


A nicely decorated place. Even spotted the American flag!


That Audi grille and headlights look pretty slick. Nice to see some AI traffic cars getting more and more detailed in quality.


Another delivery done. So much more deliveries to go until I can get a new truck.


The trailers sure are long in America.


Some guy tried to overtake me on a curve at night and ended up crashing head on to an oncoming car.


Parked at a nice hotel for a break after long hours of work. On my way to the toilets I saw that the hotel had a nice outdoor pool.


Got to the fuel station with only 5 litres left! The problem with this truck is that there's no analog fuel gauge (you have to rely on the dashboard computer).
That diesel exhaust fluid gauge on the right is really misleading me.


On the road again!




Unbelievable. I ran out of fuel unexpectedly. I then had to call Assistance Service.


There is one thing to learn out of this and that's that I'm going to keep my computer info display on the fuel and distance page.
I'm not going to be watching my average fuel consumption anymore. That DEF gauge finally caught me out. I just find it so odd not having an analog fuel gauge.




Back to Nevada. Passed the Hoover Dam


While at a rest point, I found some giant ducks.


Oh yeah




Discovering a lot of the cities




Tight squeeze


Driving day and night, as fast as I can possibly deliver.




Those palm trees look so cool


A busy night. Everyone's got places to be, people to see.


I love it when I can see another truck lit up far away driving on another mountain.


This is some serious open road. Look at that view


This truck is a good truck. But I kinda miss driving a different truck every week. I need to find a way to make this truck more homely. It's starting to feel old to me.
I'm definitely not planning to do any repairs or tire replacements. I need to save as much money as possible during this stage in my career, no matter how deteriorated this workhorse will get.


The truck's average fuel consumption is just about 41 L per 100 KM. Not so bad but improvements could be made. Too bad I'll be stuck with a 10 speed gearbox before I can afford to upgrade the truck.


Some interesting scenery here


Nice little street in town




It would be really enjoyable to drive a car mod and cruise along this road. Looking forward to retire already.


Heading back to Phoenix. That skyline looks promising.

[golcan]

OMG, mate, those shots are AMAZING!!
Great story, super angles. And the colors and the lighting are so stunning!

[BK Vissers]

Very nice job getting good composition for your screenshots. I'm impressed.

[Hakan]

Cool shots and story mate! love it!

[xDope]

Great shots!

BTW: There is an analog fuel gauge. It's just your steering wheel is covering it

[Drive Safely]

@golcan - Thanks very much golcan!

@BK Vissers - Thanks! It's fun getting a good angle for the shot.

@Hakan - Thanks mate!

@xDope - Wow, you're right! Guess I'm too short! I'll get a booster seat and adjust the steering wheel a bit

[Drive Safely]

Haven't posted in a while. Here's some more shots!

Parked up, engine off, and taking a rest in my truck as sleet hits my windshield.


Crazy traffic at the intersection. There were some "late turners" who are now blocking part of the intersection because they're in such a hurry. Come on!


Traffic gridlocked. Lucky I had an escape plan to squeeze myself out of there without hitting any traffic. This traffic ain't gonna make me late.


I arrived to Las Vegas and saw traffic occupying all 4 lanes. This was mad rush hour traffic! I got 17 FPS because of all the traffic.


I must say that the amount of lanes, the buildings, the traffic, and the pedestrians really does make Las Vegas feel like a bustling city!


The traffic goes so far back. It's going to take a while to get out of this city. Thank goodness for traffic lights!


Nice delivery point


Hauling some Tesla's




Finally got out of Las Vegas


The silhouettes of palm trees look really beautiful at night


Window view. It's just country driving here


Dropping off a digger






Cool town


Picking up cargo from the airport. Awesome!


Delivered


Taking a break


Let's hit the road


Extremely tight fit. Managed to get through without trailer damage although I did have to scrape the fence with the trailer to get past.


I managed to get my improve my fuel economy. Now my avg. fuel consumption is 40.3 L per 100 KM, thanks to California's speed limits. Previously it was 41 L per 100 KM.


See you next time!