Dropping and hooking trailer do's and dont's.

Yep, flatbeds are a whole different critter! It can take a while to tarp and otherwise secure a load. I have seen flatbed drivers move and in some cases pull off the road just outside the property to do this. In fact, most shippers will have space to do this. With the vans sometimes there just is not room. One more point about this subject. If you do this right, sometime it should not take but maybe 4 or 5 minutes to slide. Most drivers will pull out, close the doors, engage the tandem release then go back and slide them. If all works out well you are only in the way for a few short minutes. Every situation is different. However, I do agree, show some respect for other drivers. This also applies to truck stop fuel islands.

 

Your truck is built wrong.

 

Ya I could fab up some run ramps but in already so #### heavy I hate to add 200 lbs. Maybe I'll make some bolt on ones that I can slap on just for the 6 weeks a year I do ups.

 

Yuck
Ugh
International.... I'm sorry. I'm in one too, but it's an auto shift and does ease ok.

 

Is that even a thing, for real?
Mind blown lol.

 

Carry 6 small blocks of 2x4's with you. Drop your air, place 3 blocks of wood stacked up, on each frame rail, so it just about touches the nose plate of the trailer. Then inflate your airbags. Your landing gear will now be 2-3 inches off the ground and easily cranked down.

Dump air so you can retrieve your blocks, back 3/4 of the way under and bring air back up.


30 seconds and no sore shoulders or busted crank handle pins.


Note : put blocks of wood in a plastic bag as they will be greasy!

Hope I didn't come across as condescending to you spyder, I know you get the idea, I just wanted to give more detail to other readers who may be trying to learn and pick up nuggets of information they can file away.

 

Yes, it's fairly common. Mostly in heavy haulers work, but can be useful in a lot of situations.

 

Ya I've thought of that. And I always say im gonna cut some 2x4s and put them in the head ache rack next year, but I never remember to until im 250 miles from home trying to get under a trailer that's dropped to low.

 

Ya, I need them in my truck all the time, either it snows and freezes after I drop my trailer, and can't get under it, or it sinks in the mud (barn yards) in the spring thaw.

Any number of ways i can get in trouble around here!

 

Im done calling our house carrier or the track suit mafia about lights out , flats , exxon valdez reefers pucking a oil slick.
Its going to get loaded and you can cry all about it , I could care less.
If it dies in the door its your nightmare.