Longhaul or regional with TMC

OK, I must clarify my concern as to following the vehicle in front of me, using cruise control. Say for instance that I had my cruise control set at 65. Normally, I would see a slower moving vehicle in the right hand lane, and I would just move over into the left hand lane (assuming it was clear.) So I would maintain 65 mph. How would I maintain my speed using cruise control while passing this vehicle?

 

Without knowing anymore about Eaton Vorad, it would seem to be a great asset in heavy traffic, but a nuisance on the open road.

 

photolurp,
I think the vorad works to good. It detects EVERYTHING. when i pass a mile marker it goes off, when i go under a bridge, passing guard rails, piece of dirt...lol ok well maybe the last was a strech but you get my point. The vorad system is a very good tool for truckers. I just had to take my truck in for maintenance because it didn't slow me down when it detected an object in fromt of me.

rebel

 

Photolurp,

Just a little more on the eaton vorad. Basically it is a smart cruise control. When you are travelling in the right lane and approaching a vehicle that is going slower in front of you the truck will slow down to that vehicles speed by letting off of the fuel and even using the engine brake (if you have it turned on)to slow you down to that vehicles speed. As far as using it in heavy traffic, it is more of a hindrance than anything. Everytime another vehicle come in front of you it will slow you down to the proper spacing. Its a great tool when you are on the open highway but wouldn't suggest using it in traffic.

 

Every month there is a "snapshot" taken of your performance. Your performance level is measured and the points are awarded. You points are not awarded for improving, but for whatever level you average for that month.

You can override the smartcruise feature by pushing the fuel pedal to the floor with your foot. If your Vorad is adjusted properly it only tracks the vehicle directly in front of you and as soon as you are beside the vehicle it will return to normal operation.

Timtrucks explanation is for the side sensor which has no bearing on the smartcruise.

 

Well it no longer matters. I got sent home Monday, due to not wanting to pull the lumber tarp on top of the container.

 

Can you explain your concern/issue with pulling the lumber tarp over the container? I am going to Des Moines Monday to start orientation and I would like to understand.

Thanks.

 

I guess I had a little more fear of heights than I thought. I have been on the roofs of buildings, I have walked on train tracks 150 feet above a river with nothing on the sides, but for some reason I just got shook up on that container. What it is is a flatbed trailer with a container on top. You climb up with a ladder, and stand on the roof. It is 13.5 feet in the air which does not seem that high, until you actually get up there. The surface is not smooth, and it gives a little. Made me nervous. They want to see your toes over the edge. I simply could not bring myself to hang over the edge and pull up a 120 pound tarp. Maybe it was just nerves, who knows.

 

Thanks. So you know, I understand where you are coming from. It was something I had to deal with about 10 years ago. Sorry that happened to you. Worst of all I am sorry you got through 7 days of orientation and decided it wasn't for you. I hope you find something else quickly.
If you don't mind I have another question; putting the container aside, did they actually make you lift the lumber tarp and carry it or do they just want to see that you can handle it? I have watched the training videos on the TMC website and I see they lift the steel tart over a coil.

 

Im lost here. I dont get the exersize. How do you pull the tarp up?? Rope??