Understanding cargo securement

Downshifting is harder. At least in my experience.

 

Go back to the first thing I told you. B.R.E.A.T.H.E.
By the way, shifting into neutral is kind of a no-no. If you can't downshift with the split gears, stay in the main gears. Never let the transmission get out of gear, because then you have nothing to hold you...not a good thing if you're going down a hill and can't get back in a gear. If the gear won't shift, stay in it and either slow down or speed up to change a gear in either direction. You'll grind, but, it's better than being a runaway.

 

While you're BS'ing, watch, ask questions, learn. Get used to not being able to reaching someone and start using your own noodle to figure things out, and that's why I reminded you, to breathe. I use to do the same thing, and as things got worse, I'd wind myself up even more. The best thing I found to do was take a breath, walk away for a bit and let the mind think and dig through it's memory banks to come to some idea or have God given epiphany. It really works, which is why I try to do that now. Seems, I have some of the best ideas when I admit defeat and start to walk away. It's like a light bulb in the cartoon that goes off.

 

Two quick things.
1- if you just lightly tap the clutch the trans comes out of gear more easily then you tap the throttle a bit and you will find the trans almost jumps into the next lower gear with light pressure.
Also only lever moves not button moves until you get down to 4th gear until you get more comfortable.
2- If one landing gear leg is in a hole or on a jump the upper pin may twist in the 5th wheel and sort of jam the jaws(latch). Pull ahead a bit after lifting the legs a bit and try again for a level spot.
Touch down with the legs and then dump the air in both the trailer and drives if so equipped, then pull the 5th latch when the pressure is off and then set the trailer brakes.
This works most of the time

 

Throwing a curve here(not hi-jacking), what year is your (Hood), 93 ? @GeminiTrucker93

 

Once you understand the math with regards to cargo weight and working load of the load security devices you’ll know what you need on there to be legal. Just bear in mind legal and sane differ a lot of the time. Keep the regs handy when you load until you just know what you need on any given piece. From there it’s trial and error while you learn what way tears up more or less gear or damages freight lashing stuff down. I’ve pulled decks for over 35yrs, mostly on LTL operations, and I still learn things securing loads. The freight is always the first consideration, wreck it you bought it. Then keeping it where you put it. No one should laugh if you have too much gear on something, but everyone will if it comes off on the road. There’s no such thing as too much caution while you find your feet. And for sure the only dumb question is the one you didn’t ask. Old hands are pretty free with information, if they’re asked. I’m not going to walk over to your truck and tell you what to do, but if you come with a question… The decks are one of the few places you find guys helping one another anymore. Once you get going you’re going to find there’s no more personally rewarding sector in the industry than Open Deck. Good luck, and keep your tarps tight.

 

Been plenty of times I said: "Sir, if you got a second, could I get your opinion on something?" Every time the guy's eyes light up, and they're more than willing to give some advice.