Watkins Shepard After Orientation

Discussion in 'Watkins & Shepard' started by RonPaul2012, Aug 13, 2011.

  1. RonPaul2012

    RonPaul2012 Medium Load Member

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    The W/S drivers have share lots of information on this forum that has helped me and I'm sure many others a lot.

    I may have missed the thread/post dedicated to this subject, if I did, sorry.

    Many of the post regarding "What to bring to orientation" have; 1. Been taken over with GPS vs. Map debates, or 2. Are more geared toward newbies coming out of orientation and jumping into a trainer truck, it's hard to find recommendations for jumping into solo truck out of orientation.

    I was hoping to get some recommendations from W/S drivers regarding what they brought, wish they brought or wish they hadn't brought with them to orientation, as I don't think I'll be near home for awhile, following orientation, assuming I make it through orientation...

    Thanks again for all the help....
     
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  3. hup

    hup Medium Load Member

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    decent broom.. I brought a cheap one from hd with a hollow metal handle. folded in half during the sweep of a trailer. so then I had to sweep the trailer with a 2' broom. fun. only used it 1-2x before that.
     
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  4. the flying scotsman

    the flying scotsman Medium Load Member

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    was that the green handled one....i bought that one too...BROKE!!
     
  5. hup

    hup Medium Load Member

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    haha, ya. I bought a cheap wooden handle that screwed in as a replacement, though. but since I don't haul flour or pasta anymore, I haven't had to use it. I'm itching to try it! maybe I'll go sweep the ts lot...
     
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  6. American-Trucker

    American-Trucker Road Train Member

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    Bring what they told you on the list and the following TO orientation:

    GPS
    Rand McNally LAMINATED SPRIRAL BOUND Motor Carrier Atlas
    Pens
    White out
    Ruler
    Fifth Wheel Puller
    Flash Light- Small LED ones are perfect
    Leather Gloves for Fueling - commonly sold as "Ropeing" gloves
    Regular Work Gloves
    Saftey Vest- HiVisabilty
    Hammer- regular claw hammer is fine

    After Orientation get the rest of this stuff from home or a TS or whereever as soon as you can:

    Pad Lock- you can get one from any TS
    WD-40
    Screw drivers Small/medium/Large in Flat head and Philips head
    2 Vice grips
    Dykes
    Sissiors
    Plyers
    Wire stripper/crimper/crimp on connections (little kits are cheap)
    get a assorited bunch of Zip ties. I got 350 for $2.99 of all sizes and colors at harbor Freight
    Electrical tape
    Duct Tape
    Stapler/staples
    A small wrench set (combination wrenches) standard usually a 11piece set covers the sizes you need, make sure you have a 5/8
    Buy some glad hand seals
    Light bulbs, head lights, marker lights, license plate lights




    American Trucker
     
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  7. American-Trucker

    American-Trucker Road Train Member

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    also get a glad hand lock, there like $20 at TS's, so you can drop your trailer at the TS to get your truck washed/ tractor worked on without loseing your parking spot

    Kingpin lock would be great to



    American Trucker
     
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  8. RonPaul2012

    RonPaul2012 Medium Load Member

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    Thanks for the replies, Much appreciated....:yes2557:
     
  9. Shiftin

    Shiftin Light Load Member

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    The list that they gave you will work fine. To help you now for the problems down the road here are a few of my tips. Most of these things you can get once you get a truck.

    I carry a bottle of Spray-9 (or a good degreaser) and a few rolls of paper towels (or rags from one of our shops at the terminals) for cleaning the hubs on the trailers. This way you can see the level of gear oil in your hubs (if they have the sight glass for viewing).

    A small spray bottle (I use a contact solution bottle for this) for a 50/50 mix of dish detergent and water to be used in the lubrication of the slide rails on the tandems. Most of the time my loads are around 40k+ in the box, so I always get under the trailer and give a good spray of the mix on the rails and never have had a problem with the tandems sliding.

    Also a good set of torx wrenhes for the truck. Alot of the fastening hardware used on the truck uses these.

    I good push broom and a good sturdy shovel (for the winter time) is a must. They fit perfectly along the fairing on the back of your cab.
     
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  10. the flying scotsman

    the flying scotsman Medium Load Member

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    fifth wheel puller? i meant to get one of those..i am almost at my 90 days and still dont have one lol!
     
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  11. American-Trucker

    American-Trucker Road Train Member

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    how many shirts have you ruined so far?:biggrin_2559:

    between saveing your back and saveing your shirts its worth the $20



    American Trucker
     
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