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Stupid, dumb, no excuse. But I made the mistake.

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by jbatmick, Jun 3, 2012.

Page 1 of 8
  1. Jun 3, 2012 #1
    jbatmick

    jbatmick Road Train Member

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    Hooked up to my trailer yesterday morning. Had bob-tailed home the night before, and knowing I would be in a hurry the next morning, had checked all my lights before I unhooked, everything was working just fine.
    I backed under my trailer, hooked up my air lines, rolled up my landing gear, and took off to get loaded.Same as I do every day. But today was going to be a great day. I was to take delivery of my new 4 wd F-150 that afternoon when I finished. All I could think about was that pick-up.
    Loaded my flatbed,strapped it down,delivered a load about 45 miles away.It was raining lightly, nearly all 4 lane, going through 2 small cities. I deliver there 6 to 7 times a week, have to back in from a 4- lane high-way, blocking traffic. Still thinking about that pick-up. Hurry back and get another load, go back to same place, still thinking about that pick-up. Pull across the 4 lane, blocking traffic, and as I swing around, notice a turn signal mounted on side of trailer was in-operative. Oh well, will fix it after I get the new pick-up.
    As I went to unstrap the load, noticed a marker light not burning. Maybe the light plug had slid out. I went to check it out, and I about froze. I had neglected to even plug the cord in when I hooked up. It was still in the holding cup on the back of the tractor.
    Now I had driven close to 150 miles, gone through dozens of red lights, in the rain at times, blocked traffic twice on a busy 4 lane, all with-out ANY trailer lights. Did I feel dumb.
    Now I am a stickler for my trailer lights working. I often will click on my marker lights in the daytime driving down the road,and glance in my mirror to make sure they are OK.
    Sometimes we need to remember to keep our thoughts on what we are doing, and pay attention to details.
    I was mad at myself, and think how lucky I was no one ran into me.


    But that day I had been too busy thinking about the F150 to think about lights.
     
    jbatmick, Jun 3, 2012
    jbatmick, Jun 3, 2012
    #1
    Mark Kling, sevenmph, windsmith and 22 others Thank this.
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  3. Jun 3, 2012 #2
    Gizmo_Man

    Gizmo_Man Road Train Member

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    we all make a "dumb mistake" and we learn from it. you just got lucky no cop pulled you over. after any of us make a "dumb mistake", we learn to "do it right" the first time.

    that is what an old driving school instructor once told my class, "the day you have to do a job twice, like re-loading your trailer, because all the boxes fell down, because you didn't brace them, is the day YOU WILL LEARN to do the job RIGHT THE FIRST TIME".

    i have also personally witnessed drivers dropping (literally) thier trailers all because they did not get underneath to make sure the jaws were closed...
     
    Gizmo_Man, Jun 3, 2012
    Gizmo_Man, Jun 3, 2012
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  4. Jun 3, 2012 #3
    okiedokie

    okiedokie Road Train Member

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    Good story. Gizmo is right. Experience comes from making mistakes and learning from them. How's the new truck.:biggrin_25522:
     
    okiedokie, Jun 3, 2012
    okiedokie, Jun 3, 2012
    #3
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  5. Jun 3, 2012 #4
    rachi

    rachi Road Train Member

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    I used to just do a tug test after hooking up untill i almost lost the trailer in the terminal, since then i always get under and look to see if the jaws are locked. I also have a habit of climbing out of the truck and then looking at the knobs to make sure i set the parking brakes.
     
    rachi, Jun 3, 2012
    rachi, Jun 3, 2012
    #4
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  7. Jun 3, 2012 #5
    jbatmick

    jbatmick Road Train Member

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    Many years ago I dropped a loaded van trailer on my frame rails after failing to make sure it was locked. Again, I was in a hurry, and just failed to check it. Fellas on the loading dock were my friends, and they offered to bring out 2 forklifts to help raise the trailer as I turned the handle. I refused the help, said it would teach me a lesson. I would turn the landing gear as far as I could, back up a little more to raise the trailer, turn it some more, back up a little, and so on. Finally got it up, and that won't happened again.

    New pick-up is fine. Payment book ain't.
     
    jbatmick, Jun 3, 2012
    jbatmick, Jun 3, 2012
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  8. Jun 3, 2012 #6
    Gizmo_Man

    Gizmo_Man Road Train Member

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    i almost dropped my trailer at the old Newburgh, NY terminal i used to go to. the dock i was at, had a slight incline. i was under it, and i thought for sure i heard the jaws locking, sounded like it did.

    as i was pulling away, my trailer slid towards me, THEN LOCKED into place..!!

    thank God for the way that property was back then, to have had that incline.>!!

    from THAT DAY, I MADE SURE i always get physically under the trailer, with a flashlight if needed and CHECK my connection. I NEVER trust the sound of the jaws anymore.>!!

    the jaws i thought i heard closing.?? must have been the yardman switching trailers....
     
    Gizmo_Man, Jun 3, 2012
    Gizmo_Man, Jun 3, 2012
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    LaBubba Thanks this.
  9. Jun 3, 2012 #7
    aiwiron

    aiwiron Road Train Member

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    My proverb

    If you make no mistakes then you never learn.
     
    aiwiron, Jun 3, 2012
    aiwiron, Jun 3, 2012
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  10. Jun 3, 2012 #8
    okiedokie

    okiedokie Road Train Member

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    Always do the tug test with the landing gear down, then visually inspect jaws. Check if you set the brakes before you exit the truck. Otherwise you could end up running after it.
     
    okiedokie, Jun 3, 2012
    okiedokie, Jun 3, 2012
    #8
  11. Jun 3, 2012 #9
    PayCheck

    PayCheck Medium Load Member

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    Don't feel bad, I bent a stack this week. I was pulling into to load up a trailer and I've never been in there with this truck. It had high stacks.

    I've been in there with trucks with short stacks and flat tops a lot so I didn't think about it. I did lower the air foil and got out to look as I was pulling in to check the height but I neglected to consider the cat walk well inside of the loading area. I pull in and ding, crap what did I hit? Well It's bent so what the hell, backed up ding almost got it bent back strait.

    Happens to very one, forgetting your plug is pretty minor, cars never look at your break lights anyway and trucks pay attention.
     
    PayCheck, Jun 3, 2012
    PayCheck, Jun 3, 2012
    #9
    jbatmick and LaBubba Thank this.
  12. Jun 3, 2012 #10
    Kittyfoot

    Kittyfoot Crusty Ancient

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    You guys reminded me of a rookie mistake I made years ago. Picking up a trailer at a customer, I got the papers and quick backed under the trailer, hooked up and..... trailer popped right off. Seems some kind soul had set an empty soft drink can in the jaws of my 5th wheel as a joke. Jaws couldn't close let alone lock. Check always.... there are lots of a--holes out there who think they're funny.
     
    Kittyfoot, Jun 3, 2012
    Kittyfoot, Jun 3, 2012
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