What do I say to the boss if the truck is unsafe?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by LDH26, May 26, 2009.

  1. LDH26

    LDH26 Light Load Member

    132
    25
    Sep 7, 2008
    0
    Hey guys, i've been driving for about a year now. I've got a class A with all my endorsements (no hazmat). I started out driving for a company that hauls petroleum coke out of refineries. It was a nice, new outfit with about 40 daycabs. All their trailers are 40ft end dumps. I've got a lawn business on the side and had to quit because they wouldn't work with me on cutting my hours down, etc. So I went to work for a local concrete plant that has 5 mixers and 3 end dumps. The mixer i've been running had some tranny problems (wouldn't go into it's high side) and is in the shop, so today they had me run one of the others that has been sitting. This truck leaks oil like a siv and rocks side to side really bad when it's loaded going down the road. The brakes aren't that great either and the dash falls down into the floor (sometimes keeping you from shifting). They want me to batch in the morning at 5am because they've got some big pour lined up and need all the trucks going. What should I say to them? I really feel like the truck is unsafe to drive and it could cause an accident by the way it rock side to side and it's hard to keep it in my lane. I don't want to cause a scene, but there's no way i'm going to drive this thing. It would be totally unproffessional of me to do.
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. bigo1969

    bigo1969 Light Load Member

    152
    31
    Sep 29, 2007
    florida
    0
    Did you mentioned the problem's with the truck while you were driving it and also when you got back to the yard. If so, I would'nt drive faulty equipment.
     
  4. dancnoone

    dancnoone "Village Idiot"

    9,922
    3,713
    May 6, 2007
    Mississippi
    0
    This post reminds me of the "Billy and the Bear" joke.

    Billy, Billy, Billy, you ain't really huntin bear. Are you?

    I have no further comment.
     
  5. Peanut Butter

    Peanut Butter Road Train Member

    1,343
    419
    Nov 24, 2007
    PO Dunk Idaho
    0
    Try turning the drum down so it isnt so fast it makes the truck rock, try adjusting the brakes, the mechanics wont do it for you, as for the dash put the needed screws or bolts in it or wire the thing in until you get your truck back, right now isnt the time to quit a job with out other jobs to go to, unless you have that golden job lined up. Ive driven mixer trucks, i have 3 years experience at it,, and one company i worked for had trucks that were way worse than what your driving now, do a little work the the spare and drive it easy just to keep your job and your truck will be back in no time.
     
  6. bambam

    bambam Bobtail Member

    8
    5
    Jul 17, 2009
    0
    whip your truck into a weigh station and point out any of the safety violations to the dot officer there, he'll put you out of service and your company will have to perform the required repairs. Be prepared to find another job if your company learns that you have done the above!!:biggrin_25526:
     
    simplyred1962 Thanks this.
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.