The Truckers’ Report flatbed Hall of Shame.

A sneeze at just the right time.

 

Rapid tip, product stuck solid?

I haven't done that, but way back in the '60s I drove a 6 wheel tipper on a section of the new build M1 Motorway in England. There were 60 of us double shifting moving hills to valleys over a 15 mile stretch. The vehicles were surprisingly modern with the gate release a large handle on the front of the body reachable without leaving the cab simply by opening the door. The drill was to set the body skywards then lean out and simply rest a hand on the lever. As the body rose and the lever was held still, the action of tipping dropped the lever and the tailgate opened. Easy peasy.

One time, for no reason I can fathom, I sent the body up but forgot the lever. Tailgate still shut when the body passed the centre of gravity and up in the air went the cab with me still sitting comfortably. Couldn't then reach the lever, it was way up in the air. Couldn't drop the body, it was over the centre and only dropped with gravity. I managed with some difficulty to clamber out of the cab and climbed down to the ground to borrow a hammer off a mate in the next wagon. I then hammered away at the claws on the tailgate, which, with the weight of the muck, were firmly clamped. Eventually I succeeded and the gate burst open, soil shot out and the front end returned to earth with a violent bounce.

Unfortunately, nobody noticed the banksman, the bloke who told us all exactly where to tip. He had never seen the underside of a lorry before and had walked under the cab to have a closer look . Whatever it was nobody knew, but he must have clicked in the last second because he was just out of the way when the wheel shot past his nose and the tyre landed just one inch in front of his toes.

He was allowed to go to the canteen and have a cup of tea, before being required to return to his duties. I am confident that he never did that again. But then, neither did I.

 

Looks like a Home Depot special.

 

I know someone I could ask, be she's not speaking to me at the moment!

 

It would probably be a short answer then!

 

That’s one of those loads you should about just tarp regardless of the weather.

 

Hated those Lowe's/Home Depot loads we did at Maverick. Preloaded and tarps draped over and not allowed to remove them and just do your best trying to see what they had loaded. My philosophy was throw a bunch of straps and pray. This load had a pallet of rocks 10' in the air - surprise!