Do pranksters/jerks actually pull the pin when the trucker isn't looking?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by jungledrums, Jan 8, 2014.

  1. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    I've never had it done but why not be on the safe side and make sure pin is lock before leaving in the morning even if you have to get out and make sure.Also its a good idea to make sure some angry driver didn't shut your reefer off.
     
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  3. Mev

    Mev Road Train Member

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    Always take a quick look under the trailer just before you hop in the truck.


    ~~~~~~

    They had a few malfunction where I work,boss had to replace some kind of rod that was bent.

    The pull bar appeared to be seated,but the latch was not latched.....Potentially Very Dangerous
     
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  4. Tonythetruckerdude

    Tonythetruckerdude Crusty Deer Slayer

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    That's what I call an "once of protection" It will never take -up too much time to visually check a fifth wheel connection , then tug on it just to be sure...check it every time you get into the vehicle...every time. IMHO....in the trucking world a driver can't go too much lower than pulling a pin on another driver....that's not being a prankster , that's being the biggest %$*&@ - head you can be...being a prankster to would be switching the service line and the emergency lines...
     
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  5. Opus

    Opus Road Train Member

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    had someone pull my tandem release lever a month or so ago.......everything was fine till I put on the brakes, then BOOM!!!!! I thought I had been rear ended....even called the safety dept.
    Lesson learned. I try to do a decent walk around every morning, but this particular morning I didn't because it was raining and cold.

    Look, if you're not going to do a pre-trip or walk around (and I rarely see anyone doing either), do yourself a big favor and get into the habit of checking your fifth wheel and tandems every time you roll out in the morning or any time you leave the truck unattended. It's the easiest thing in the world........simply tug against the trailer with the trailer brakes set. If anything is amiss, you'll know it in literally about 2 seconds. And this method checks both the fifth wheel and tandems.

    The answer to the original question is "yes"......there are a lot of douche bags out there.
     
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  6. Pumpkin Oval Head

    Pumpkin Oval Head Road Train Member

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    Good point.....no one could pull the pin no matter how hard you tried!!!!
     
  7. Nightwind8830

    Nightwind8830 Medium Load Member

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    my friends mom has been a trucker for 10 years and warned me about people messin with her truck while she was otr.
     
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  8. Will work in summer time, but not suggested in winter. You will never get the rear breaks unfrozen to get her to roll again.

    Option in winter is park on a downhill lot so trailer puts pressure on kingpin with trailer tires not set.
     
  9. LandShark

    LandShark Road Train Member

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    Generally this only happens for a few reasons
    1 you drive for same company as a former disgruntled employee
    2. You've camped out on the fuel island while you eat and shower
    3 you have park in such a way as its blocked others where is next to impossible for them to get out
    plus a few others but the above covers 95% of the reasons why.
     
  10. RiskyBusiness

    RiskyBusiness Light Load Member

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    Yeah!! Drivers think it is funny but don't stop to think what they may do to someone's driving career with some stupid black mark on it like that. I have caught mine one time but I make it a habit of releasing tractor brake leaving trailer brake on and put in gear give it a good pull to check to see if your still coupled to trailer.
     
  11. Roadmedic

    Roadmedic Road Train Member

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    I believe there is a pretrip that should be done and this would be something that would be checked. There is no need to do a tug if one performs the proper pre trip.

    Makes me wonder if people just start the truck and leave.
     
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