FedEx Ground Linehaul with JohnBoy

It's stuff I learned the hard way LOL. Once air is supplied I always walk around listening for leaks and double check that the rear box is blocked off from leaking. Also check the plungers to see that they are putting pressure on the hook so that the trailers don't wiggle as much going down the road. Sometimes after you set the brakes to unhook the plunger may not want to retract and needs a little persuading.

Like mentioned earlier just get your own routine down. The most aggravating part hooking a set to me is a dolly with a dry fifth wheel and the rear trailers brakes doesn't want to hold, then you may need a curb to hold against. You will do great especially knowing these tricks beforehand.

 

I.work for Fedex Freight, our equipment is a little different than yours but close enough. Either I or @Lumper Humper should be able to give you any insight though

 

Congrats on the new job!! When I hook my sets up, I usually leave the trailer brake released once I have my dolly hooked.
It’ll supply the air while I do my walk around and checking everything out. Thats the way I was taught anyway.

Good luck!!

 

Start working on hooking your back box with dolly attached to lead and save a step. It takes a little while to get the hang of it, but will become second nature within a few attempts.

 

Congrats and good luck.

 

JohnBoy, from an old man who has spent almost 61 years in this business and have witnessed the decline of "professionalism" in about every aspect connected to trucking and especially in the "character" of the drivers, allow me to send my upmost admiration and respect to you, you stand out as a real model for anyone wishing to get into this business. God bless you in this new adventure that you have entered into.

 

I understand not having to deal with customers (shippers, receivers), but am confused about not bumping docks. When I did linehaul, upon arriving at a terminal I would drop my kite in the yard, stash my dolly, then put the lead in a door. Depending on whether they had hostlers available, I might or might not have to go back and put the kite in a door as well. My home terminal was very small, no hostlers, so I docked both trailers. So depending on whether I had a Via that night, I would bump three to six docks each shift.

Thanks, and good luck with the new gig!