I took out my first set of doubles today...

Lol...

Our school instructors constantly yelling "why you watching the cars?? Screw the cars... You better watch this curb!! Don't hit this curb!!"

 

Good advice. While sitting at a light during training we watched a "real" driver try to make a left turn, jump the curb, and drag the side of his trailer down a utility pole until he hung up completely. My trainer nearly fell out the window pointing at the driving school's number on the side of our own trailer.

 

Develop a routine, and stick with it, it will become second nature to you. If you get distracted ( you stop to talk to someone for a minute, etc.), start over if neccessary to be sure you didn't forget anything. Good job on double and triple checking yourself.

When you're ready try it with two 32's, that extra 8 feet makes a difference!

I drove a day cab with 28's for 18 years. When I road tested with my current company, I was surprised how much difference it made. Now again, it's second nature.

 

When/where are twin 32's allowed? We could sure use the extra 4'.

 

I learned a little lesson in humility the other day because I got distracted. I was breaking my set like normal, and when I dropped my rear box I dropped it. I'd forgotten to put the landing gear down. Nothing damaged except my pride, but I had a good time cranking the trailer back up.

In my defense, I'd just received word that a family member had passed away overnight but that's really no excuse. When you're under stress it's even more important to make sure you double check.

I've had this conversation with my wife before, but it's time to have it again. Bad news can wait until I'm off duty. She hasn't listened to me yet, but maybe she'll get it eventually.

 

Sorry for your loss. Things like that can definitely make the job hard to focus on. You're right, either the news needs to wait, or you have to redouble your efforts to stay focused.

 

We use them here in Washington and Oregon. We do, however, have overlength permits for them.

 

@Naptown, first off, you can be sure that is one mistake you won't make again! Not after that cranking job!
A couple of ideas about bad news. First off, perhaps you can stress to her that YOU might have been the next death in the family, because your mind was not on your job. But then again, perhaps you may need to ease up a bit on her. After all, these wives have a pretty tough job themselves, and not everybody can handle bad news without having someone to talk it over with. But I agree that when you are working is likely not the best time for it!

 

I drove for Reddaway when I lived in Buffalo, Wyoming. We pulled Rocky sets thru town to get to where we could break them up to deliver for the day. Drive them back 67 miles empty in the winter with snow and ice, and in the Wyoming wind. They usually don't bother posting "No Light Trailers" until the gusts are above 45 MPH. Two pups is a breeze.