Help a trucker wannabe out!

Hey, Open Road Guy!!!
Just got back to this thread, haven't read all the posts and some driver may have already covered this, but I have a tip for you regarding truck lockouts. When a truck is assigned to you, get some backup keys cut ASAP; some truck key blanks can be matched at Walmart, where each copy is around $1, others like Pete and especially Volvo have to be cut at dealerships. You want to make at least three copies, that way you'll be able to utilize my "patented idiot-proof four-key system." Be sure to test each cut key before you leave Walmart or the truck dealership.

Put one key in your wallet as a backup, since your wallet will often go with you when you leave the truck.

Put another key on a keychain or ring and use this as your primary means of entering the truck, taking it with you whenever you leave. If you forget your keychain in the cup holder or wherever, you may still have your 'wallet key' to save the day.

Take one key and zip-tie it under the hood, back by the firewall in an unobtrusive location which will not interfere in any way with operation of the truck, but can still be easily accessed. Use a black zip-tie, haul 'er fairly tight and trim the excess, then wrap the key with black electrical tape so it doesn't look like a key, 10? This is your TRUE BACKUP KEY, in case you mess up and leave both your keychain and wallet in the truck as you lock the door... Freightliners in particular are notorious for locking themselves as you exit the truck, leaving you standing on the fuel island in freezing weather at 0300 while the truck itself idles away (don't ask me how I know this, I'll relate a quick anecdote in a minute). There is one exception to this step: Volvo hood latches are located on the steering column, so you can't just pop the hood latches and retrieve the backup key---with Volvos, you will have to find another location on the truck to hide this key (behind the sleeper, under the catwalk, wherever), a location which can still be easily accessed, and you should still use a black zip-tie and wrap the key in black electrical tape so it doesn't look like a key, 10?

My fourth key remains in the ignition, with the exposed part wrapped in black electrical tape so that it's hard to tell whether a key is still in the ignition (when the truck is turned off, I mean). If I'm in a sketchy area or a crime-ridden truck stop, the key gets yanked, otherwise it remains in place as the surest way to prevent its loss. I don't put any keychain or ring on this ignition key, and I hide it inside the truck upon departure. If I owned my own truck, I would certainly install a hidden kill switch in the ignition circuit and leave the wrapped ignition key in the ignition 24/7/365, thereby confounding the casual crackerhead who attempted to steal the truck. You'll soon discover that it doesn't take much effort to get into some trucks, key or no key, and no professional truck thief even needs a key, but this "patented idiot-proof four-key system" will keep you from locking yourself out of your truck at the most inopportune moments.

For that zip-tied TRUE BACKUP KEY, you'll need a blade to cut the tie, unless you have exceptionally strong fingers or unless there other drivers present who have utility knives. Carrying a utility knife is second nature to old hands---I've found my "Gerber Gator Serrator" to be a highly effective tool, as the serrated edge will cut metal straps while the razor-sharp blade section easily handles cutting or splicing tasks. Get in the habit of carrying a utility knife with you on your belt or in your pocket... it doesn't have to be large, as long as the blade is sharp. You can keep other larger knives for self-protection in your sleeper...

Now, for that anecdote... many years ago, I rolled up on the fuel island at the Pilot in Bentleyville, PA, at 0300 one morning, on my way to a "hot load" delivery in Metro Jersey. Wanted to check with the fuel desk clerk before fueling, due to fuel card considerations, so I stepped down from the truck (Freightshaker) and closed the door... "CLICK!" Trying the door, I discovered that I was locked out, and though I had my wallet I had not yet developed my "patented idiot-proof four-key system," 10?

Some Freightshakers can be accessed with a knife through that small viewing port in the shotgun door... you'll learn how to do that at some point in the future. However, this particular model had the hard plastic viewing port seal, no good for entry. I didn't feel like roaming the darkened and deadened lot at 0300 like some lot lizard, bangin' on doors to ask for a coat hanger, and I didn't yet know the wing window trick which will get you in within about 5 seconds if you have a pair of Vise-Grips. I walked in to ask the fuel desk clerk if he had a coat hanger...

He looked around but couldn't find one... we were the only two people awake on the property at this time, as the Bentleyville Pilot is not exactly what I'd call a large truck stop. When he told me he had no hanger (I followed and watched him rummage through closets and cabinets for five minutes), I asked him: "Do you have a HAMMER?" Mine was securely locked in the idling truck, of course. He found an old hammer and followed me out to the fuel island, despite the freezing weather... entertainment is scarce in Bentleyville, you understand. As he gawked at the viewing port, I swung the hammer in a trial arc and told him: "You might want to look away for a moment." Neither one of us was wearing eye protection at 0300 on that wintry morning.

Averting my own eyes, I swung the hammer in its designated arc and the viewing port exploded in a shower of safety glass, most of which wound up spread from door to door inside my cab. Hit the window too hard in my aggravation, you see. The fuel desk clerk retrieved his hammer, took one last good look at the window damage so he could relate the story to his co-workers, and returned to the warmth of the building, while I proceeded to swipe my card and dump fuel into the truck. Needless to say, it grew cold in that tractor as I continued on my way to Metro Jersey, with howling Arctic blasts of wind countering my full-blast heater. What can I say? It was a stinkin' Volkswagen... later, I had the distinct pleasure of sleeping in some crack slum with a broken window offering easy access to the truck (every weapon at my disposal laid out in Ninja fashion).

This is actually when I first started dwelling upon means of access after being locked out. I later refined my original considerations to include every aspect of my "patented idiot-proof four-key system." An old hand told me the trick of zip-tying and wrapping hidden keys in electrical tape so that they don't look like keys... can't take credit for another man's wisdom. When this incident occurred, I didn't tell my company what actually happened... since they sent me to Metro Jersey, I covered my stupidity by blaming the local crackerheads: "Someone tried to break into my truck!!!" You get the picture, yeah? That little pinner viewing port plate (glass) cost $60 at the time, not counting the hard-seal installation. Nowadays, I would do it all myself (wouldn't break the glass in the first place), but I was a regular greenhorn at the time, and I can laugh about it in the present day.

 

Hey, ORG!!! Check the previous post!!!

 

Pete's don't have to be cut at a dealer. I have had them made at true value hardware before. Also; no worries about locking your keys inside... LOL

 

In my 'limited experience' (I haven't been out there since dinosaurs roamed the earth, 10-4?), I've found Freightshakers to be the worst culprits when it comes to unexpectedly locking you out of your own truck at the most inopportune moment... I think I've been locked out of Petes and KWs before as well, but far fewer times than I've been locked out of 'Volkswagens' (Freightshakers). Something about the latch design just begs Freightshakers to lock ya out in freezing weather at "ZER0-DARK-_____-THIRTY" (as they say in the Army). A multiple-key system really does work... some drivers use those cheesy little magnetic hideaway boxes, but I prefer zip-ties, because those magnetic boxes can come flyin' off when hit by road debris, or when ya hit a heller "Baja 1000" bump in road work, 10? Just tryin' to be helpful to ya, because I intuitively sense that you may be one of those hands who makes it all the way, despite all the whining and negativity in some of these forums. I heard good news today: a website upon which I've posted HEAPS OF MATERIAL will soon be resurrected---it went offline during the crunch, but the man behind it all kept everything on file and should have it all up and running again before too long. There are HELLER TRUCKING STORIES posted there, along with some previously-published narratives and tales of adventure relating to sailing, technical rock climbing, vertical skateboarding, etc., etc. Okay, at least you received my rather windy post and will perhaps consider some method or system of your own to prevent yourself from being locked out of your own truck... embarrassing at best, and sometimes downright dangerous at worst. The trick in trucking is to learn from OTHER DRIVERS' MISTAKES whenever possible... although you've probably heard the old cliche: "HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF." Not only does it repeat itself in the transportation industry, it often costs jobs and money in the form of company action, D.O.T. fines, etc., etc. Just remember my not-quite-famous quote: "ANY DAY YOU DON'T KILL A WAGONLOAD OF KIDS IS A GOOD DAY!!!" And that ain't no lie.........

 

Y'all know that old sayin' ---- He who dwells within the present day, laughs best when someone, at last, laughs at them, knowing that because they are bigger --- the harder we fall off the wagon pulled by a white horse.
Or, ...................... sumthin' like that.

Memory, ....... second thang to go
don'cha know.

But before the laughter commences, I have a question for you, RAILSPLITTER, ----- do you know any real good attorneys? If you do, you better put 'em on a retainer to defend you in court for infringing on my patent, right. That's just wrong.

I've been using and recommending MY patented "Four Keys Are Better Than One Lock Out Out Thar Without Any Keys For Survival", anti-lock out prevention method for the beginning idiot to the most experienced and well seasoned idiots, for over 20 years now.:smt104

I challenge you to explain somethin'. Oh sure, following your directions, stolen from me, it's a hair brainer folks can reenter the Big truck that locked 'em out. But the "idiot-proof" claim is hardly factual. Around 25 years have past since I began using my similar Lock-Out Avoidance System, and I'm still every bit the idiot I was back in the day.:smt045
'Splain that, wouldja.:smt117

While we're waitin', let me tell y'all about something I can't 'splain. It happened in the Buckeye State on a cold, gray, snowy winter day while runnin' back roads, --- and standin' over here, lookin' like this, and wishin' I was sittin' over there, lookin' like that. I heard voices.
It was the CB radio, and a couple of guys were commenting about the great cup-o-coffee served to them at some dinky little Big truck truck stop.

BoY-0-BoY!
Coffee sounded good. And great coffee?
ShuX HowdY, I'da slid down razor blades into a vat of alcohol for great coffee.

Although it was windy, I broke
silence.
Break one-nine. What's the twenty on the great coffee?
I'm south-bound on a highway bound to take me somewhere. Would I be in the vicinity of the point of service for said coffee?

This must be your lucky day, driver. It just so happens what'cher lookin' for is ahead of you. Keep your eyes peeled, hand, --- you cain't miss the place.

(Just what I needed, another lucky day.)
Y'all obviously don't know me, amigo. Not only can I miss it, I probably will.
But I didn't.
Imagine that.

Now, imagine this,
After carefully parking, I took my 40 gallon T/A mug to get filled with mud, --- but before I got there, a dude in a t-shirt and sandals, wearin' short pants, carryin' a steamin' cup of coffee, approached me in a near panic, wantin' to know what kind of Big truck I drive.
I'm thinkin' that's odd, and was about to inquire why he'd ask me that. It just so happened, as usual, I was under a high-value load that some folks would hurt a driver to change ownership of.

But, I didn't have to ask, 'cause he 'splained that he'd just pulled in to grab a quick cup-0-coffee to go, but in his haste, he locked his buttox out, and was wonderin' if , by chance, I drove a FreightShaker.

I told him no, and I ain't sorry 'bout that. I favor Kenworths and had the T-600 to prove it. He asked to see my KW key, and shook his head (which mighta been shiverin') and remarked that the key didn't look anything like his.

I felt sorry for that fellow idiot, so I offered to let him wear a sweatshirt I had back in the Big KW, then we walked over to his Big truck where a group had gathered to try their keys in his door lock, all with no success.
Bein' an idiot, I mentioned I was told this must be my lucky day. A guy who was about to smash a vent wing to gain access, stopped his swing, gave me a one-eyed look, and asked me how lucky I felt.
I assured him that "lucky", I'm not. Adding that if I were lucky, my KW key would open an FLD door, which we all know it won't, --- as I inserted my key to prove my point, --- and gave 'er a twist.

*click*

Dead silence followed.
NObody uttered a single word as their jaws dropped into the snow under their drivin' boots.
You just opened the door---- with a KW key.
How'd you doo dat?

Not wanting to make it obvious that I'm an idiot, I just said, lucky is as lucky does, and, as such, luck is highly over rated, so I passed my lucky day on to the driver who felt like an idiot.
By golly, that's a feelin' I'm familiar with.
That driver asked me what he owed me.
I casually told him that he owed me his life. But, seein' as how this was his lucky day, I'd settle for a cup-0-coffee.
And that's how I got a great cup-0-coffee for free.

It's twue!
It's twue!

And one of my Totally Twue Star Spangled Road Stories. :smt103:smt045:smt045

 

CONGRADUATIONS!!!
Barring that your not wanted by the F.B.I. when you go get finger printed you'll have all the endorsments.

 

Congrats ORG. Hope everything else goes as well for you.

Now then, just as a counter point to the two dinosaurs on here who are talking about having four, (not two, not three, but FOUR) keys for your tractor, I gotta tell ya, that is just waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too many.

Here is Big Don's lockout system:

Two keys. One in ignition, one in pocket. Should something happen where the one in pocket happens to land in the WRONG pocket, and be locked inside the truck with the ignition key, that is when Big Don't patented lock out tool goes to work.

Here is the key (so to speak) to the whole matter. I go back to the small box on my "back porch," that is NEVER locked. I remove my lockout tool from the box, and use it to open the truck. Very simple.

Oh yeah, the tool is a good sized rock.