First load delivered

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by Jakkimn, Jan 5, 2014.

  1. Jakkimn

    Jakkimn Bobtail Member

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    Oct 11, 2013
    Central Point, Oregon
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    Howdy all, I am new to this forum and to trucking. I just started my career with A&M Transport. I am with my trainer for around 4 weeks, hopefully I will be a quick learner. I just got done with my first load and reload and am leaving later today for Grass Valley, CA. I have a lot to learn about trucking and flat bedding. There is a lot more to learn about load securement than I thought. I am excited and eager to learn all I can in this new career. I have had a previous career and am drawing a pension from it, but am still at the age to where I have a few more years to contribute. I would appreciate any words of wisdom in the trucking and flat bedding world to assist me in my learning. I sure hope I can keep the transmission in the truck while I try to master the shifting. School trained us to double clutch and I got pretty good at it. This floating gears is a new thing to me, but I am sure I will get it down. Thanks for any input in advance, and i hope you all stay safe out there.:biggrin_25520:
     
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  3. saddlesore

    saddlesore Light Load Member

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    Dec 30, 2011
    The Great NorthWet
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    Welcome aboard!
    Ask all the Questions you need to.. That's what We are here for
     
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  4. Pipe 40

    Pipe 40 Light Load Member

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    Mar 24, 2012
    Toowoomba Queensland
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    You can still double the clutch to change gear. If you were to read Eatons manual it would say their prefer method is to use the clutch. A clutch is a lot cheaper then a gearbox.
     
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  5. cabwrecker

    cabwrecker The clutch wrecker

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    Mar 23, 2012
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    :biggrin_25517: They call me...the clutch wrecker!

    Driver, enjoy that ride up through Cali. A lot of drivers dislike it, I always loved Cali.
    Maybe it's because I always got AWESOME miles coming out of the south west, maybe it was because I love the weather; the point is- enjoy the ride.
     
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  6. Mev

    Mev Road Train Member

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    Jul 29, 2009
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    Flat bedders...now there's a different breed of cat. :yes2557:
     
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  7. chicknwing

    chicknwing Medium Load Member

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    Jan 4, 2014
    Charlotte, NC
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    Floating will come to you in time, until you master shifting I would keep using the clutch, an old friend still to this day uses the clutch, I asked him why he clutches all the time and he said "my right arm and left leg are attached, i can't move my right arm without kicking my left leg twice"
     
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  8. Y2K

    Y2K Road Train Member

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    Jul 21, 2009
    Yacolt,WA
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    Congrats,I see A&M trucks all the time on the 5 and a lot of them coming and going from Weyco (Norpac) Longview,WA.
     
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  9. macavoy

    macavoy Road Train Member

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    Jan 3, 2011
    Houston, Tx
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    Jakimn,

    I'm a relatively new driver as well, this forum has been a valuable learning tool for me. I enjoy reading in my downtime and learning. Another valuable resource is other drivers at shippers. I watch them and see how they load. Other drivers are pretty helpful.

    one of the things I learnt was to take your time when loading / securing. That's where I've had my near misses, trying to go quickly. I learnt it's actually quicker to take your time.
     
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  10. MJ1657

    MJ1657 Road Train Member

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    Jan 28, 2012
    Isanti, MN
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    When you're all done securing your load and ready to hop in the cab do one more thing. Walk completely around your truck and trailer and have one more look. Doing that has saved my winch bar and tape measure so far.
     
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  11. Jakkimn

    Jakkimn Bobtail Member

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    Oct 11, 2013
    Central Point, Oregon
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    Thanks Saddlesore, I won't hesitate to ask questions. 46 years is a long time, bet you've seen and done a lot over the years.
     
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