So ya wanna drive a day cab. (The beginners company guide to ltl)

I’ve been to the hometowns of both of those companies a few times and haven’t seen one of their daycabs yet.

 

How has no one mentioned the difficult backs with P&D? Guess I will. If you’re coming into this from OTR, you’ll be in for a wake up call. You’ll often be forced to back into docks that have no business for big trucks. You’ll have to back off busy streets and have cars angry at you for holding up traffic. Occasionally you’ll have to blindside back off said busy streets. GOAL will be your best friend in a lot of cases. On the plus side of the difficult backs, your backing will improve. It has to. Docks you used to think were impossible you’ll be able to bump with your eyes closed. Also google street/satellite view will be your other best friend for customers you’ve never been to.

 

I honestly never found it to be that difficult but then again it's all I've ever done so that's probably why. I guess if you are coming from otr you could have some trouble at first.

 

I used to be IN a day cab for TMC

 

Ton of swifty daycab running around the Denver area. A lot of flatbed Swift day cabs also. I’m jealous of them cause some of them are pretty nice and twin screws.

 

I took a day cab job pulling a flatbed.
I deliver siding products in northern Va, Maryland, and Delaware.
Guaranteed 2300 miles per week, and $15 a stop.
I have two long 14 hour days, 2 6-7 hour days, and Fridays are a 8 mile round trip delivery.
I love OTR and wanted to stay OTR, but man this is the perfect day job...

 

@snowlauncher is that your triple set in your picture? What's that like to pull? I pull doubles and always wondered what a third would be like.

 

Exactly. Not only is ltl way more physically demanding, but your backing skills have to be on point. Granted, you are in a daycab so it makes things a lil easier, but still. You get very good at quickly scanning the scene and deciding what your best maneuver for approach and backing should be with ltl.

 

That's not "MY" road train specifically, but it's identical to what I pull most days.
To answer your question about what it's like:
It's not much more challenging than doubles, just more responsive from the steer to the trailing axle at highway speeds. If you get into the habit of trying to correct the "wiggle" by drifting left or right, it can actually put the back box into a skid. Just keeping the wheel steady and not making too much steering adjustments or sudden turns is the key. Many drivers don't pay any mind to the train when pulling straight down the highway, because it makes them want to stop the "wiggle". Also if they're loaded tail heavy it can be more difficult to maintain control. It's not really as hard as you might think for a driver with some experience, especially if you're used to doubles. BTW you really don't want triples in any kind of slick road conditions. I have been known to drop the back box at the nearest ramp, rest area, or parking lot when in doubt of the road conditions. It's just not worth the risk...