Rumors and warnings that never came to pass

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by HoneyBadger67, Dec 11, 2019.

  1. HoneyBadger67

    HoneyBadger67 Road Train Member

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    Savannah, TN
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    We've all heard the campfire scary stories about checking your fifth wheel every day before driving because some Richard will pull the pin while you're inside dropping a deuce. I still look and tug before driving because of this 'warning' but have never once had a ne'er-do-well pull the pin.

    Some guys talk about thieves and their sort stealing equipment out of headache racks if they aren't locked up, but I've never locked mine and haven't had anything come up missing.

    Folks spend good money on anti-siphon inserts and locking fuel caps, but I can't recall ever having fuel stolen, either.

    I've also never met an illegal hitching a ride on my trailer or, when driving van, had a trailer broken into.

    I know things were hairier "back in the day" and trucking, like everything else, has gotten watered down some...but what are some things you were cautioned about when you first started driving?
     
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  3. INRUT

    INRUT Medium Load Member

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    Got fuel siphoned once in GA, had apparent crackhead take my CB antenna coax 90 in MS, other then that, nothing ever happened to me. One of my friends had kingpin pulled in UT, he probably deserved it.
     
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  4. Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

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    I have never had anything happen to me either.
    Does not mean it can't, or hasn't happened.
    And I still check before getting back in the truck.

    Nothing more embarrassing than pulling out, and the trailer falls off.
    Or after pulling out the tandems are suddenly sliding to the rear to be ripped off as you brake.

    Perhaps the best insurance (besides checking the little things) is to not piss off other drivers who may end up at the same stop as you.
     
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  5. D.Tibbitt

    D.Tibbitt Road Train Member

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    I always lock my headche rack and tool boxes. Keeps those thrid world flatbedders from getting sticky fingers
     
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  6. Dick Danger

    Dick Danger Medium Load Member

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    You're gonna die if you don't change your ways.
     
  7. Moose1958

    Moose1958 Road Train Member

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    Count yourself lucky. Because if you stay in this business long enough you will see it. I guess the worse that can happen is a trucker be murdered. Happens a lot more then people know.
     
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  8. JolliRoger

    JolliRoger Road Train Member

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    We had a forklift shop. Bout the only thing common from a forklift is the battery. I always rechecked the shops door locks for the night. Partner said that is useless. All we got in there is tools like hammers, chain hoists, an big large heavy wrenches. No thief is gonna break in, tote that out, and no thief steals anything to work with. He was right. Never had a burglary in 14 years.
     
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  9. LoneRanger

    LoneRanger Road Train Member

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    I had my tandems slide once on the highway when I was braking, good thing it didn’t brake off or my career would be over, was a very important load and on top of that I checked before leaving the yard. It was locked.

    never again. I check lines, pins and locking jaws every time I park and leave.
     
  10. bzinger

    bzinger Road Train Member

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    In my ltl days I did pull out of a dock once and find a forklift in my trailer .
    Had a trailer door opened once in Hubbard ohio ..mt trailer .
    Nothing to call the federal marhalls for .
     
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  11. Milr72

    Milr72 Medium Load Member

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    S W Missouri
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    Where's X1? I'm sure he has a story .......or ten!
     
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