Cheap tricks we forget to pass on...

If your locked out with a passenger spot window its a snap to roll the gasket out and unlock the door.
Its hard to get in a accident if your the only one around, I don't run in packs and I don't tailgate
I don't trust anyone around me.
Don't out drive your brakes.
And most important, tell the cashier if you used the last of the cream!

 

When possible, start early so you can end early and enjoy more parking options!

 

But some of us are really talented! I didn't have anybody anywhere near me when I got blown off the road on a patch of ice. . .

(Something about too doggone fast for conditions. . .)

 

So have I and I love it when that happens in a nice way...

 

The cheapest trick I've had was to keep the doors closed when I park. Most places I park at were selected for having a bathroom, and that's about it. Truck stops are expensive and the fast food will give you diabetes and/or the runs. Stay in the truck and byo food and entertainment. This will save you a ton of money and help you take better care of yourself.
Also, lysol is your friend.

 

When I have to use a TS or rest stop bathroom. I bring wipes for the seat.

Mikeeee

 

Im as new as anybody out there, but just from my 1st week or so of driving, the biggest thing I can think of is, No matter what kind of mood you may be in, always make that time that you have to deal with the guard shack or the shipper courteous & respectful. If you roll in with a bad attitude, it will no doubt take you a LOT longer to get back on the road than if you are just nice for that 15 minutes or whatever. You can scream at your windshield later if you need to.

 

Being a jokester it is in my nature to try to get the guards and the folks in the offices to laugh daily when I visit.

In return, They know my name, they smile and wave when I pull up! I am glad to bring some joy and happiness to their day.

Who does not want to be greeted with a smile wherever they go?

The result. I have a better day and I breeze through the mundane processes.

Mikeeee

 

Huskerjim had a good point, you think of only using tips and tricks when it pertains to the truck but there are a lot of other things in our industry that need to be dealt with on a daily basis that also have their little tricks to make easier.

On the topic of Huskerjim my co-driver and I (not a couple!) often bring the shipper/receiver's, especially the ones we frequent, candy, money, lunch, breakfast, food etc... or some type of small gift of appreciation to show our thanks for always loading or unloading us first or giving us speedy attention or hell, even just being nice to us! You wouldn't believe how far that can go! A lot of places we frequent they can't wait for us to show up! Like Huskerjim said, no matter what mood you are in, how you feel, or what you have been dealing with all day, leave the sour puss in the truck mirror and throw on a smile! People hate dealing with unhappy, grumpy people. An unhappy, grumpy person is like a plague and can spread disease all around!

Also, brush your teeth, wipe your ###, comb your hair, put some SHOES on, and take off those sweat pants! Find a nice shirt that isn't stained up with the wings you stuffed with your face with the other day and go into these shipper/receiver's looking professional! You will be amazed at the way you will be treated! Plus you never know, there just maybe a really cute girl ( I only say girl because women truckers usually present themselves in a fairly maintained manner) in the office that you have to deal with and wouldn't you be utterly embarrassed if you went in there looking like a slob?!

Just don't go too far with the girl in the office, you don't want a qualcomm message stating you are being charged with sexual harassment!

 

On the topic of freight, here is a little trick that can be used variably depending on the situation....

This is for those multiple stop loads, or loads that aren't quite full etc...

Use those empty pallets to help secure your load along with your load locks. If you have a pallet of product standing alone with nothing next to it to secure it, take two pallets and next to the loaded pallet form a "V" This means one pallet will be leaning against the full pallet and the other will be leaning against the wall. Now take a third pallet and place it across the top of the "V" that you made. Now it resembles and upside down triangle. Then you place your load lock across the full pallet and pallet triangle and it will hold everything secure in place. There are also many other variations you can use but the gist of it is to be creative with what you have in the truck to secure your load.

For flatbed, when your empty and have to secure just a few boards or just some little things if you put an object under just one end of the boards and then throw your strap over it, it causes tension and will ride more secure this way.

Not sure if this was mentioned, but if you run reefer always carry a set of long jumper cables with you. If the reefer, or your truck dies you can jump either one off of each other.

A 50' airhose is great too! You hook it up in the truck and then insert it into the nearest drain plug in the nose of the trailer. Then climb up in there and you can blow out the trailer.

Here is an alternative method for pee-pee if you are one of those that pees in a bottle! Get a box of those Ziplock freezer bags with the double zipper. You use two, put one bag inside the other, when you are done you zip it and then fold over once and zip the second one. You now have a secure pee-pee bag! This is so much easier than trying to point your ding-ding in a little bottle opening especially while the truck is moving! Plus with the bag it won't slosh back out the top! My only other advice is that you place it where you won't step on it or sit on it! I also put it in a plastic shopping bag then throw it away.