Equipment issues/when to refuse equipment

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by HugeRocks, Feb 21, 2025.

  1. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    I've always just fixed the little stuff myself. Doesn't take long to replace a light or to wire in a new pigtail on a tail light.

    No excuse for brakes being out of adjustment either. Checking that is supposed to be part of the daily pretrip.
     
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  3. HugeRocks

    HugeRocks Bobtail Member

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    What you said is pretty much what I’m thinking. I can indeed refuse to drive a truck for whatever reason but my main worry is what if I refuse 1 truck , then the next truck they assign is also no good. Like what are the odds realistically. I’m looking for other work currently & hopefully something will come up.
    Trying to be really really cautious with what I do at the moment.
     
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  4. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    What issues and be specific.
     
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  5. drivingmissdaisy

    drivingmissdaisy Road Train Member

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    I don't know.

    Last year I picked up a trailer and blew a tire. Spent half a day sitting at a Loves getting it fixed and the mudflap bracket repaired and replaced. I finally made the delivery on that trailer and picked up another preloaded trailer. A few hours down the road blew a tire on THAT trailer and spent yet another half-day at a Loves getting the same things repaired on the new trailer.

    So never underestimate how bad things can go.
     
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  6. MSWS

    MSWS Medium Load Member

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    How are the trucks assigned? Is it completely up to someone else or is it more of a first come first serve situation where stragglers get whatever's left after the early birds take their pick? If it's the former, you may want to speak with someone in authority. I'm sure safety would agree that the better trucks should be assigned to the longer runs. If it's the latter, have you tried getting in earlier so there are more options?
     
  7. HugeRocks

    HugeRocks Bobtail Member

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    The trucks are completely randomly assigned. My safety guy swears that they give the nicer trucks for the regionals but I don’t see it. The problem with them is that the fleet is worn so thin due to trucks being in the shop that they don’t have a choice but to use what they have. If it was first come first serve I’d be there 2 hours early everyday to get the 1 “new” truck we have.
     
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  8. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    So what is your plan to leave this job? This company is not going to buy a bunch of new trucks. Once you get DOT violations you are less desirable to be hired in a market that is very slow. Staying until you get a violation just converts their problem into your problem. What's your plan? Make a plan. Hope is not a plan.
     
  9. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    Sounds like the rail biz,,,:mad:
     
  10. 77fib77

    77fib77 Road Train Member

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    This is one of the reasons I became an OO. Just to keep my stuff right. If you haul for decent tanker company. Their equipment is usually good.
     
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  11. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    Me too. I got tired of company junk and wanted better equipment to drive. I bit off way more than I could chew,,:biggrin_2556:
     
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