Steer tires balding, DOT issues, How to go OOS with carrier

Advise the company the rig doesn't move until the issues are fixed. If still having an issue then 5 years experience is enough to find a better company.

 

Not to sound like an A-hole but it's simple don't drive it if you don't feel safe.

 

No kidding- it's going to be the same old story- sadly the MC isn't listening to you, this is "your responsibility". When it's out of service it'll be "your fault". As soon as you remind them that you told someone they will want to know who you talked to and on what dates. If you can remember them, they will deny it-but you will pay the fines.

If a driver suspects a tire is out of spec and won't pass scrutiny it usually is. Time to do those repairs NOW.

 

If you refuse to drive the truck, will you be fired? I'd say probably, having a wee bit of experience with small outfits.

You're best bet is to take the truck...straight to a scale house or CMV enforcement officer. Call'em if you have to. Explain the issues, show proof of communication between you and the company if possible, and let the LEO's deal with the company appropriately. You'll be protected by whistleblower laws, and the inspection will show as a random check, if the LEO's do the paperwork right.

 

Even with the random, it is a way to accumulate CSA score points.

 

WHY would you do something so dumb?

The points for the defect will be on the DRIVERS CSA.

 

So let's get this straight, you would rather accumulate CSA points, get a mark on your safety record from the company (which they can later put on your DAC if you quit or get terminated), and possibly put other drivers at danger by driving with faulty equipment? Have fun with a company that will screw you over and not fix things.

 

What would be worse...CSA points? Or a blown steer tire and the possible accident, followed by CSA points and never being able to drive again?

I do apologize. I did breifly forget about the ongoing nightmare that is CSA. Back in the day drivers and CMV enforcement officers could and would occassionally work together to keep unsafe trucks off the road, and your truck definitely qualifies.

Bad steers are nothing to mess with. If you've never experienced a blown steer (and I admit, I never have), you don't know how you will react. A bad reaction could potentially lead to you hitting another vehicle, or rolling your own. Both WILL be considered preventable, and we all know what a preventable accident does to your driving career. Especially a roll-over, or a fatality.

If it's financially possible, walk away. An outfit that is willing to run bald steers is more than willing to risk YOUR life in other ways. If not, and I certainly understand it may not be, you have to find other ways to protect yourself and the rest of us knuckleheads out there. Personally, I'd be willing to take some CSA points to prevent a possible horrible event down the road. But then, I gave up driving. Truck driving today ain't what it used to be, that's for sure!