Newbie here, first post/question...

I don't know about tractors but a lot of companies trailers that have disappeared into the twilight zone and have never been seen since.

 

Trailers just go missing? Frequently?

 

Yes trailers do get hijacked, misplaced, towed, and even abandoned on a regular basis.

There is new technology available to track trailers (I think 1 system is named trailer tracks) where a transponder is attached to the trailer and in the case of reefers anyway the batteries on the reefer will keep the transponder powered up for tracking as well as temperature monitoring at the home office.

I do not think they have a comparable unit designed for other types of trailers though.

 

Crazy.

Are the drivers then responsible for what was lost, or does it usually fall on the hands of the receivers?

 

The carriers insurance company is usually left holding the bag minus the deductible.

Drivers may lose their job over a stolen trailer if it was determined the driver did not follow proper protocols. An example would be a driver drops his trailer at a truckstop (without permission) and drives off to go to a diferent restaraunt or go home for a while and when he returns the trailer is gone.

Another example; Other drivers might leave their truck idling after fueling and then go inside the truckstop to pickup their fuel receipt. When the driver returns the whole truck and trailer have "disappeared."

Normally the tractor will be found fairly quickly due to gps tracking software installed on the on board computer system (provided the thief did not cut the wires that is) and if the trailer is still attached it will have been stripped of all the merchandise.

It is relatively easy to steal a trailer provided you have a tractor. Hooking up to a dropped trailer takes mere seconds to 1st latch the trailer, 2nd, hook up the airlines, and 3rd raise the landing gear. elapsed time? 30 seconds to 1 minute.

 

Wow. I guess folks will steal anything, especially when they are so valuable.

 

Intend to buy 05 Columbia Freightliner with detroit eng. my question is:
-don't have experience at this so I wonder if the truck is going to cause me problems related to EGR ( emission )
-before buying the truck, which are the most important parts I should check for problems ? (The truck is 05 columbia with 590k mil.)

I would very much appreciate your assistance.
Thank you

 

should i have to go back to truck driving school after not using my CDL after 3 years, and have to start at the bottom again ?

 

I would check the driving school you got your CDL from. Some of them offer refresher courses at no charge.