Training Trip Question - And - Average Sleeper Area Photo Request

[QUOTE="Ken S La



Training Trip Question

When I go out with my trainer...is it going to be like a team operation, or will it be as though I am driving solo, on a solo clock/schedule with him/her as a passenger-teacher-information source?[/QUOTE]
Many of the larger companies "train" by running team loads. This is unsafe, as you, the rookie, will more likely be driving at night while your trainer sleeps and doesn't provide for a lot of actual training. CFI, Schneider, and Roehl, all made my short list because they train solo style.
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We carried three times that weight up in the top bunk using 4 green bins with secured lids and tied to bunk with ship rope a inch thick. Its not going anywhere. Wife and I were in there a time or two, we probably weighed together more than you did. No issues.

The main thing with top bunks in trucks.... is the top bunk is not to be used in motion. If you hit a bad bridge the body is going to fly through the windsheild or impale on the shifter or smash the driver.

Your 6 foot 5 will be a potential issue with length of bunk and available width of sleeper.

Mattress is only about 4 inches thick on top of sheet metal backed by wood carpentry.

You will find standard sleeper trucks bought by companies to be pretty nice, but they are generic. A bunk, under bunk compartment divided into three (Side boxes and center) maybe a top bunk in condos, then a cabinet for fridge, desk and shelf. Another cabinet for hanging shirts etc and a television pad followed by two more cabinets towards the front for a variety of purposes. Desk is sliding into one cabinet, usually left side.

Sleeper hotel controls are on left rear corner.

Vent windows are on each side. Usually one facing into oncoming air and the other facing to rear to create cross vent.

Google has been really bad about linking pictures. I have a bunch of sleeper type photos but they are more of a wife and I type shooting rather than generic inside the truck scenes.

 

t680 on top
freightliner cascadia on bottom

 

Go to truckpaper and look thru the pictures.

 

Sleeper will probably have furry creatures in it.

 

One of these days I will have to have a cat again. Im still tender from the loss of the last good cat 5 years ago. Im not sure if I want to go down that road again.

 

They have nylon safety nets that attach now. Any truck with two bunks does because they assume teams.

 

My 16 Cascadia has 2 bunks, but only the bottom bunk has a net. It would be suicide sleeping up top without a net while the truck was moving.

I am 6'5" and my bunk is long enough to fit me. I use Twin XL fitted sheets on the mattress if you want an idea of the size.

When I was in training it was teaming from day one. The only concession to me being a trainee was that I was not allowed to drive the night shift.

 

FFE started bringing that rule in as well later in 2001 and it affected my training of spouse potentially as a proposed rule. By then we were a full team.

I guess it would be pretty good to train students by day time work only. But it will be salary pay only. There is no point in trying to run miles pay for either during that time. And at some point you need to run the trainee at night because it's important to understand small things like not being able to see the rear marker lights on the trailer back there in storms.

 

I trained as a team operation and I was fine. You will appreciate having a break from the guy and having the front area to yourself. It's fun. Much less fun when some Yahoo super trucker is up there badgering the hell out of you... Everything... Speed up! Slow down! Pass that guy! Air horn that #######! Dobt hold the steering wheel like that! Naw, screw that