Tips and Tricks

I'm a union man....not allowed to do repairs.

 

If you can't release the 5th wheel, lock the trailer brakes and back the tactor to the kingpin.

 

There should be a thread just for hammer-related tips and tricks. And vise grips. I can MacGuyver just about anything with a hammer, vise grips, and a paperclip.

 

A can of starting fluid and a bic lighter takes care of those pesky lot lizards. Oh, and it also works on those sleazy guys who try and steal your glad hand seals.

 

When you are doing your walk around pretrip, take your hammer or your hand and remove those rocks that accumulate in the landing gear pad.

Nobody likes a cracked windshield.

 

That sounds about right.

 

I use a 72 inch boot shoelace and a carabiner clip. Hold the 2 loose ends of shoelace toghether and tie them together so you have 1 big loop. Loop the shoelace around the electrical pigtail and hang the other end around the trailer gladhand connection. This keeps my pigtail from pulling out while I drive over railroad tracks or when making sharp turns. Some drivers use zip ties to hold a pigtail in, I never had that work reliably.

 

My Pete was like that. Then I got locked out and had to ask a mechanic how to break into my truck. I don't know how It happened. I must have tried 2 dozen times to lock myself out of truck, with a spare key in my pocket to see if it was possible. I thought I was safe. NOPE.

BTW, it was WAY easier to break into my truck than put it back together afterwards without paying a mechanic, but I go it. I always had 2 spare keys on me after that.

 

Or you could flip the ones that are in there

 

If you're a smoker and you slip seat, carry a small brush and some febreeze. Believe me, it'll save you from a lot unnecessary stress.