Time to start Houffing -- new gig at Houff Transfer

I don't know how Houff has managed it, but so far literally every customer of theirs where I've picked up or delivered loads has had a gravel or dirt lot. The inside of the truck has received regular sweeping with my whisk broom, and I'm giving serious thought to buying an air valve.

 

Been driving through it already today.

 

Had to do the Crank of Shame today for the first time in many years.

My first three years driving a truck, I drove Volvos with manual fifth-wheel latches. So it's not like I've never used them before. But for the past 7 years I've been driving trucks that had an electronic fifth-wheel latch you could release from inside the cab with a switch. And I have not yet fully readjusted to having a manual release.

Today I was at one of those places that makes you dolly down and disconnect before they'll load you. I had gotten most of the way towards dropping my trailer, and had pulled the fifth-wheel release handle, when the forklift driver told me not to bother because he was gonna have me loaded in like 10 minutes. And I forgot that I need to actually back the truck up to reset the fifth-wheel latch.

Oops.

Fortunately, I realized my error while the front of the trailer was still resting on the frame and the tires. (The loud **BANG** as the front of the trailer slid off the fifth-wheel and slammed onto the tractor frame clued me in.) So at least I didn't dump the whole trailer on the ground. A few minutes of low-gear cranking and I was able to get back under it. No harm done to anything except my pride.

Been running on recap since Monday. Currently on Day 11 of driving. Planning on taking 4 days off starting next weekend and then we'll see if they can repeat the process when I come back.