Very puzzled!!

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by jt0343, Apr 25, 2015.

  1. jt0343

    jt0343 Bobtail Member

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    Apr 25, 2015
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    I read this forum almost every day when I have time but never had a reason to create an account and post messages until now. Let me 1st say I have exactly 24 months experience but it has been off and on since 2011 and out of the 2 years I did team running for 16 of the months. 11 of them was all terminal to terminal freight so very little backing as we VERY RARELY stopped at truck stops to sleep when they were crowded (night time) and at the terminals they were big enough to not have any worries with very little backing between 2 trucks/trailers. The other 5 months of the team driving was more backing at shippers/receivers but still plenty of room. Anyways, let me get to the point here..........I have been solo for 8 months but I was on a dedicated route and it was terminal to terminal/drop yard to drop yard with every once in a while loading or unloading somewhere so I still don't experience the truck stop parking to much. I went to Michigan a few weeks ago and on my way back to Texas, I stopped at a truck stop and it was a mad house at 7PM. I75 X36 Franklin, Ohio. I went to the back of the lot where there were about 3 spots open but none of them with a space between and I managed to back in because there wasn't a truck facing the spot I was backing into, otherwise who knows if I would've gotten it in. Now, the puzzling part/question.........When I got ready to leave the following morning 5Am, the place was still packed and a truck was facing me now so I tried 3 times to get out and couldn't without hitting the truck next to me (on the left which is the way I was pulling out) so I decided to move my tandems all the way up. I finally got out of the spot and next thing I know, I hear an air horn and it is the guy next to me that was on the right side (I pulled out to the left). I got out to see what he wanted and he said I hit his truck so that is where I am puzzled. I always thought as long as I cleared the truck on the left side when pulling out that way that I was good. I never thought to even pay attention to the right side and still after thinking about it I don't see how the trailer hit his truck. I didn't turn it hard left and have the trailer tires dragging around so they were still turning and following the way I was going, correct??? I supposedly bent his mirror inward towards the truck but once again, how would that have happened if I didn't back into it which I didn't. He didn't take any information and just wanted to be sure I didn't do any major damage which I didn't. There was no paint scraped or any other damage so really I am very puzzled because he said he only heard me hit it but didn't see or feel anything. Did I hit his truck or not?????? Im not a college educated person and a drop out of high school so if you cant read this chicken scratch, sorry. By the way, when I get another trucking job, I will mark that truck stop down on the blacklist because way too congested and tight.
     
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  3. 77smartin

    77smartin Road Train Member

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    I dunno.
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    Go to exit 29 next time...sizable place on the northbound side...cant remember name of it. You probably did hit his truck...he was a nice guy.
     
  4. Florida Playboy

    Florida Playboy Road Train Member

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    Can you please separate your post into paragraphs so it is easier to read. Sounds like you might have hit him but luckily for you no damage was done. I saw a guy once pull out of a dock and he snagged the truck on his left with his trailer bumper. You have to watch that especially when your tandems are all way forward due to the tail swing.
     
    59halfstep and Puppage Thank this.
  5. CrappieJunkie

    CrappieJunkie Wishin' I was fishin'

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    In a van down by the River.
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    That place is always tight. Without being there and seeing it cant say if you hit him or not, but most concerning to me is that you said you never thought to check the rigbt side of your trailer. Always check both sides when pulling out of spots. Always know where your trailer is. Anyway, good luck driver.
     
  6. baha

    baha Road Train Member

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    You may have just bumped the mirror an rocked the truck cab thats on air bags at back of cab so a little hit makes cab move alot, you were lucky, go to an empty spaces an get out to look how much rear of trailer swings out when you get 3/4 of way out of parking line?
     
  7. tucker

    tucker Road Train Member

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    You slid the tandems forward and turned sharp,
    kind of a fulcrum.

    the end of of your trailer hit his mirror,

    if if someone's parked illegal, bang on their door to get them to move, heck, you might even make some extra money😅
     
  8. Arkansas

    Arkansas Medium Load Member

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    I doubt the guy made it up. I'd say you probably hit his truck. Sounds like he was a really good sport about it. Kudos to him.
     
  9. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    You're always suppose to look to your left and look to your right.The guy on your right may have parked a tad bit too close to you.You probably clipped his mirror but no damage or info taken so I wouldn't worry about it.From now on check both sides when backing in and pulling out and make sure the guy thats parked next to you is parked correctly or you are parked the right way instead of ####eyed like so many drivers tend to do.
     
  10. jt0343

    jt0343 Bobtail Member

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    Apr 25, 2015
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    Thanks for all replies. He was a super nice guy and I don't blame him 1 bit for stopping me because I dang sure didn't know I hit him. If someone hit my truck, I would want to be sure there was no damage as well. Im just trying to get my mind right because when im backing in, I always get out and look on the blind side but never thought I had to check the other side when pulling out of a spot. (I check it through the mirror until I start turning and cant see it anymore). I always slide my tandems forward when pulling out of a tight spot with a trailer I just hooked to so who knows how many trailers I have swiped and didn't know!

    As far as separating into paragraphs.....LOL!
     
  11. NewbiusErectus

    NewbiusErectus Medium Load Member

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    Hats off to you for even trying to find a spot in that place at 7pm, let alone getting parked! Any time I go by there , morning,, early afternoon, whenever -- that place looks jam packed.
     
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