So you want to run at night?!

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by dirtyjerz, Jun 17, 2013.

  1. al_huryn

    al_huryn Medium Load Member

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    Philadelphia, PA
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    Try to watch what you eat too. All the sugary, fatty crap will spike your sugar levels. Then when they bottom out you can't keep your eyes open. Sometimes tough eating properly as we all know but do the best you can and it will help.
     
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  3. Lepton1

    Lepton1 Road Train Member

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    Yukon, OK
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    I agree about the sugary foods. One thing about my driving habits is that I don't eat before I drive. When I drive I have coffee, maybe some cranberry juice or water, and some low sodium wheat thins or an energy bar. Eating a heavy meal before or during my drive time will definitely make me fatigued or sleepy. After I finish driving I'll have a meal and hit the rack.

    One thing I notice about night driving is the the ratio of truckers to 4-wheelers totally changes. There are a lot more truckers driving at night as a percentage of total vehicles than during the day.

    I also slow down at night, especially if driving an unfamiliar hilly road. Having GPS set at 2 miles to 10 miles is very helpful to see if there are curves ahead (although I will zoom in to closest detail when there is an exit or turn coming up).
     
  4. big wheels

    big wheels Medium Load Member

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    No trucks..........no wrecks....................what??....

    So car dont wreck by themselves. right....

    Than what about that 10 mile back up, By the train wreck of cars that ran into each other. As a dircet result of following to close.


    Oh! trucker fault. Right.....


    I got it!No trucks on the road. Than your the only one out there.

    Man you'll be such high demand you could just name your price. Man thats ingenious!!

    Hey let me in on this and we'll be raken in the money. come on! I want tell no body. I on your side.

    Right! right play like we dont know each other. Man your a genious. Right right. down low!!......
     
  5. dirtyjerz

    dirtyjerz glowing beard pouty kid

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    Jun 7, 2011
    Playing in Traffic
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    Another thing about running at night, its a lot easier to time traffic lights. A few tricks I learned.

    Go 5 UNDER the speed limit. This has a couple benefits. First any leos will not even bother with you when your doing a 35 in a 40. Second if the light changes quickly on you there are two options. If you can make it you have an extra 5mph to use to make sure you get thru and still won't be speeding. If you can't and have to stop your speed is lower thus making it easier to stop.

    Second, watch the cross streets. If there are no cars you can usually expect the light to stay green. A car approaching or sitting at the intersection will trip the sensor and change the light. Count down timers for the cross walks help but aren't always accurate. Some hit 0 and the light will stay green.

    Now what about approaching a red light. Well since your not in your daddy's prius let's not run up on it and stop. Keeping that 80k moving is the name of the game. Slow down earlier than normal. Not anything drastic but buy a little time. Keep an eye on the cross light. They are much easier to see at night. If you see it turn yellow and you have the room ease off the break and get ready to keep rolling. Watch out for turn lanes as some will stay red and give the thru traffic a green and some go green and keep the thru red until the turn is done.

    Beware! Some lights are on timers and go red when you least expect it. This is when the 5 under helps a lot.

    I thought of this update after doing yard to yard shuttles all week. 5.25 miles each way, 10 lights, 10-11 round trips a night. So yeah, got those lights down, well all but the one on the timer. It still likes to mess with me.
     
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  6. imasaluki

    imasaluki Bobtail Member

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    Nov 27, 2008
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    Resist the urge to drive naked.
     
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  7. CertifiedSweetie

    CertifiedSweetie Road Train Member

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    Pittsburgh,Pa
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    As hot as its been its been outside I wouldn't blame anyone for driving naked. :D:D:D I kid I kid. Well just a little.
     
  8. volvodriver01

    volvodriver01 Road Train Member

    You first then we will all follow!!! :biggrin_255:






    jk of course
     
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  9. stabob

    stabob Heavy Load Member

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    May 25, 2011
    Sebring Fl
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    I just started driving nights 3 weeks ago and its getting rough for me. I try to be in bed by 7:30 at night tough with a wife and three small kids up running around. Then Im out at 2 am in Orlando by 4 pick up there and 4 1/2 hours to be in Miami and Im fine till about 7 and oh god its BAD all that traffic down there you really need to be on your game. No time or place to nap! But I power though it head across the ally to Ft Myers pick up maybe get a nap in there and back home by noon or 1. I really like being home every day but man its rough. Wish I could go though Miami at night.
     
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  10. DrtyDiesel

    DrtyDiesel Road Train Member

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    Jacksonville, FL
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    I love driving at night, though I don't do much of it because of the freight I haul. I agree making sure all your lights work are a really good point.
     
  11. Weeble Kneeble

    Weeble Kneeble Heavy Load Member

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    Rip City
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    Now if you run nights exclusively, you get screwed with your reset. I would know, because I'm getting screwed with a 40+ hour reset. This 1-5 AM crap is asinine. It used to be less stressful to drive nights
     
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