The big deal about NEW YORK

islandboy_671 · Mar 27, 2008

jlkklj777 said: ↑

I have been to NYC and the surrounding burroughs many times over the years. I have layed over a few times as well and NEVER been bothered. I have walked the streets of Brooklyn, Bronx, and Queens several times in search of good food and out of curiosity. I have never been hassled.

Now for the driving. Yes it is congested. Slide your trailer tandem all the way forward and take it slow.

The bridges are measured from the curb up so the heights will always show lower than reality. As long as you stay on the interstates and get good directions from the customer for truck pickup or delivery you will be fine.

There are very few places to legally park a big truck in NYC so most drivers wait to make the run into the city until early morning hours as in 4 to 5 am. The cities are old with narrow streets, lots of 1 ways and docks that are NOT designed for big trucks. Many times you will have to load and unload in the street.

All the bridges accept ez-pass now so as long as you sign on to a company that has ez-pass you should not have to pay anything out of pocket (provided you go through the ezpass lanes, if you go to a cash only lane the attendant will expect you to pay cash this is due to ezpass not being installed in every lane). If you do not have ezpass then be sure to have 100.00 available for bridge tolls. Last time I knew (this info is a few years old so it may have gone up by now and if my memory serves me) the Triborough, Throgs Neck and Whitestone bridges were 19.00 each way into Long Island. The Outer Bridge crossing, George Washington Bridge and Goethals bridges were 20.00 to go into New York (1 way). The Verrazanno Narrows Bridge was 33.00 for the return trip thru Staten Island. Many drivers would swing around the city and go over the Tappan Zee Bridge (I287) to save money it used to be 15.00 but I think that too has gone up to 20.00. Perhaps someone else can either verify or update the bridge prices.

As for hijackings I Have never personally been hijacked nor have I ever seen anyone being hi-jacked. Many of these "stories" are just that; "stories." Its always, I heard, or a friend of a friend had this happen, or I heard on the CB. A word of advice on this stuff; "Believe nothing of what you hear and only half of what you see."

1 warning however is beware of pedestrians trying to flag you down. There is a common scam where the pedestrian informs the trucker that he is headed for a low underpass and cannot get underneath. The "good samaritan" will offer to guide you around the bridge for a "fee." Do not fall for it. Do not let these guys in your truck or you might actually be 1 of the guys that actually does get hijacked. Call the customer directly and get the directions from them or use ALK technologies CO-Pilot routing software. It is designed for truckers specifically.
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Thank you! Now this is good reading. Very informative. This is what info will help everyone that has NOT been to NYC yet. How about are there any particular stops that are pretty much near impossible to get into but can be done with manuevering? Im just thinking of questions to ask based on my experience. If there is anything I could help a fellow driver with in SF, I would be happy to.

islandboy_671 · Mar 27, 2008

islandboy_671 said: ↑

Thank you! Now this is good reading. Very informative. This is what info will help everyone that has NOT been to NYC yet. How about are there any particular stops that are pretty much near impossible to get into but can be done with manuevering? Im just thinking of questions to ask based on my experience. If there is anything I could help a fellow driver with in SF, I would be happy to.
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Now that is some scam. I myself would never pay for info on the street. You always go to the source.

LargecarKW · Mar 27, 2008

Yeah like tripple 7 said, NYC isn't all that bad just use common sense. Also like 777 said sleep outside the city and make your run in between 4 and 5 not too much going on at these times. If I were you I would stay out of manhatten. Bridge tolls just went up I think triboro, throgs, whitestone are $25 or $27 now, GW is around $30 verrazanno is prob around $50 (double whatever the throgs is) they discount those rates for ez pass members during non peak hours. there is probably a site online to tell you how much the tolls are.

If you go into staten island take the goethals or outer bridge crossings from jersey into S.I its cheaper and only charges you one way ( on the way in).

Other than that it isn't bad, STAY OFF THE PARKWAYS, watch your roof under bridges in brooklyn, queens, and the bronx some say 11'2" and you can make it, try and cruise under a 13'6" and slam your trailer into it.

Have fun and good luck

Skunk_Truck_2590 · Mar 27, 2008

Ehhh, even it it was something I heard and haven't experianced I'm not taking any chances with mis marked clearances like that, high toll's and yes you never know when you will be held up at gun point. Of course this can happen anywhere but to me it's more likely to happen there. I'll be sure to turn down any load there and I'll tell them why. " I don't feel safe." No company has the right to force to send you somewhere where you don't feel safe or comfertable.

MrsSkidmarks · Mar 27, 2008

Does Long Island count as one of those 'badly congested horrible places to drive'? My dh went there for the first time about a month ago...said it was definitely hairy...but said he felt better about going in the next time. And he escaped with out a scratch.

footz · Mar 27, 2008

Filth
Attitude
Potholes to shake any vehicle to pieces
Double-parking as a way of life
Idiotically overpriced bridge tolls
you name it...

-f

islandboy_671 · Mar 28, 2008

Skunk_Truck_2590 said: ↑

Ehhh, even it it was something I heard and haven't experianced I'm not taking any chances with mis marked clearances like that, high toll's and yes you never know when you will be held up at gun point. Of course this can happen anywhere but to me it's more likely to happen there. I'll be sure to turn down any load there and I'll tell them why. " I don't feel safe." No company has the right to force to send you somewhere where you don't feel safe or comfertable.
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Then I guess i'll take it. Give it to me, I am ALWAYS up for a challenge. I always wondered why the people call me crazy islander here.

islandboy_671 · Mar 28, 2008

footz said: ↑

Filth
Attitude
Potholes to shake any vehicle to pieces
Double-parking as a way of life
Idiotically overpriced bridge tolls
you name it...

-f
Click to expand...

Again, we have this in San Francisco. That is not unique to NYC.

islandboy_671 · Mar 28, 2008

MrsSkidmarks said: ↑

Does Long Island count as one of those 'badly congested horrible places to drive'? My dh went there for the first time about a month ago...said it was definitely hairy...but said he felt better about going in the next time. And he escaped with out a scratch.
Click to expand...

Care to elaborate.

LargecarKW · Mar 28, 2008

MrsSkidmarks said: ↑

Does Long Island count as one of those 'badly congested horrible places to drive'? My dh went there for the first time about a month ago...said it was definitely hairy...but said he felt better about going in the next time. And he escaped with out a scratch.
Click to expand...

Sorry but long island doesn't count, although you have to take the same highways and bridges, it does not compare at all to the 5 borough's. long island is more like small cities and towns, not as congested and actually very nice in most parts.

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