Central Ref. oct 21

Hey tangerineGT, I've been following along with your progress since you announced that you were going to training and all I can say is good job, keep your head in the game.

Now as for chains, me personally, I NEVER put chains on to leave a safe place. I carry chains so that if I get caught out someplace I can put them on to get off the road but nothing and I mean absolutely NOTHING I have ever hauled is so important that I had to put chains on to leave a safe parking place. Just me, been driving for 24 years and have never had an employer tell me otherwise.

Now as for the frozen brakes and wasting 6 hours of your time waiting on road service. I'll give you a little advise, get a small propane torch and carry it in the side box. Next time you have a trailer brake froze, fire up the little torch and hold the flame to the bottom of the drum just inside from the very edge with the brakes released. In a matter of a minute or two the shoe will pop off the drum and your on your way. Kinda like my personal chain policy, I never leave home without my little propane torch in the winter.

I know there are companies that don't want you doing ANYTHING but it was 6 hours of your time wasted. That's 360 paid miles you didn't make when you were ready to roll. Granted it can be made up but at what cost, working later into the night than you planned?? I mostly haul oversize and if I were to miss 6 hours of daylight there's no place in the day for me to make it up, it's just $200 I didn't make period.

 

Started my journey today. Super excited!! And yes this forum is very helpful!

 

Thanks! I will keep u posted on my progress! Look forward to reading your posts after you go solo!

 

I hope your upgrade goes well.

As for driving on chains, not faulting you for it, that was great experience. I've sat in La Grande, OR and watched one driver after another stand there looking at their tires with chains in had and not a clue what to do with them. (There's a guy and his son running around there putting chains on for $40 and he makes a killing)

 

Glad you passed your upgrade written test. Don't forget take pics of your truck when you pass everything. RaveninGA good luck on your adventure and be safe.