Skills learned after truck driver training & being out w/ trainer

Good topic. There are just too many things to make a list. I’d say this: if u are a flatbedder, ask the other drivers at the shipper how they secured the load you are now getting. If u just admit “I’m new” other drivers actually like to help. Securement is too important to leave to guessing.

 

Always have at least $400 available to you if you need to get home in a timely manner from anywhere for whatever reason. Line of credit, credit card with available credit, cash card, money in the bank, rich uncle, whatever. Crap happens, especially in the beginning.

 

Learn to back. Then learn to back well. And for heavens sake, don’t nose into parking spots that you can’t pull straight into while the lot is fairly full

 

Know how to manage weight with sliding trailer tandems (if not flatbed) and know how to use the trailer tandem slide system. There’s more than 1 type of system.

 

Enjoy the temperature changes you can have in a day , layers rule.

 

On a related note. Buy clothes that are wash dry fold and wear without wrinkling real bad. There’s enough to deal with out here without having to iron clothes to make them presentable. Keep your wardrobe simple but effective and “presentable” off the hanger or after unfolding. Sweat pants are not a good fashion choice for the active trucker.

 

Only piss on your own tires.