Is it hard to learn to drive a truck?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by HopefulOleTrucker, Aug 30, 2019.

  1. HopefulOleTrucker

    HopefulOleTrucker Bobtail Member

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  3. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    I'll pass this along.

    I had a night back down a ramp into a interior sheltered building dock set of three. Im middle dock.

    Right mirror inside never showed all of the pete on that side to me. Im searching for his left. 3 foot blue light bumper stick and then over on the left I see 5 truckers older than dirt sit there INTENT on my trailer.

    hmm...

    I sit and pull on my smoke to think on it when i get that itchy scratctch that sometimes preludes a smash...

    I get out and look.

    My trailer was one foot inside the left post of the pete.

    Custom too. It would have been a bad night then.
     
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  4. HopefulOleTrucker

    HopefulOleTrucker Bobtail Member

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  5. Wespipes

    Wespipes Road Train Member

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    It really matters on you. When I went to school with my friend. I was shifting and backing pretty perfectly the 1st. It just came easy to me. While my friend couldnt shift or back at all. So I slept the entire time we were in school. We both got out license but he decided it just wasnt for him. So while I wanna say it pretty freaking easy. Some people just cant get it down
     
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  6. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    Those that do... over come. And evolve to use a badly thought word.

    My instructors set me up on the old 40-48 mountain top and fetched me up there to run it.

    Nope.

    Oh really. YOu scared?

    Err.

    Yep. Let's fix this right now.

    My graduation drive was Big Savage no jake and maybe 20,000 in the box. On a 73 transtar. One of my favorite instructors who understood me sat there and waited for me to get shaky. Nope.

    What they did not know then going into my first winter was the trainer in dedicated GM turned me into a mountain running god to kentucky and back with GM glass. 3 feet powder? Ice? nope no problem let;s go.

    It was the last of the old steel bodied trucks built then. Little did I know what was coming until I had to accept change later.

    Deep down I get a little... shaky. That is what battle does to you in a raging storm on a mountain. If you let yourself think on what could happen.. dont. Consider it onetime, put it in a box and get going. Yer late.

    =)
     
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  7. Curly88

    Curly88 Light Load Member

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    Rexford Mt
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    In 20ll I spent 10 weeks on the road with a Werner trainer. After getting my own truck and running a week I was sent home for some R&R. I jump into my pickup with a 4" body lift and 33.5" tires and headed for the liquor store. The whole way I thought my ### was about to get burned on the asphalt from sitting so low, lol, so not sure what itd be like in a Prius after driving a big rig.

    I personally think driving a big rig is easy but not anybody can handle one. It takes a certain mentality being able to safely maneuver an 80,000 lb 70' long rig down a busy hwy with many suicidal idiots that dont know how to drive there SUV around you.
    One of the first things my trainer said is ' you have to learn to make a 'split second executive decision'
    If you do go trucking go with an open mind and willingness to learn, because it will be nothing like would think it is.
     
    Lepton1, Rideandrepair and x1Heavy Thank this.
  8. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    Not just to make split second Executive decisions but sometimes youre on your own to write the story on a blank page in the 10 seconds or so left until something really bad....
     
  9. Iowa80

    Iowa80 Light Load Member

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    You know that buddyd, he’s got the good lookin’ woman always staring you in the face (I’m still trying to figure out WHO that is) and always has those tidbits of sage advice to dole out to us noobs.

    Thanks buddy...
     
    x1Heavy and Rideandrepair Thank this.
  10. Linte_Loco

    Linte_Loco Road Train Member

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    The problem today is these trucks are too easy to drive. They give a false sense of security in a way. Driving isn’t the issue, respecting the whole unit is the hard part imo.

    After a few months it will seem easy and you will find yourself driving like a smaller vehicle if you aren’t careful. Just gotta respect it and know what you are driving
     
  11. TravR1

    TravR1 Road Train Member

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    He has driven trucks for longer than I have been alive. Even before my parents met.
     
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