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Damaged Trailer Question?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Dave31670, Apr 10, 2008.

  1. Apr 10, 2008 #1
    Dave31670

    Dave31670 Bobtail Member

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    Apr 10, 2008
    taylor mi
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    I work for a small trucking company so a tralier has turned up damaged and it's only 3 of us and I made a mistake, but hopefully it can be proved the other driver did this. I unfortunately drove his trailer 1 time on a 30 mile trip, put it in the yard, turns out the tandems underneath had severe damage, it was pushed so far back the rear stop bar is buckled, and the mudflaps were slightly pushed up. I never even moved the tandems, just dropped it in out in the yard where webut the last guy rule may or may not screw me on this one.

    Our 3rd driver that never moves this driver caught it, so he had no idea did it just reported it, my Boss is defintely on my side because it turns out this guy recently put this trailer in a ditch had to have it towed out, but claimed the trailer had 0 damage, and I had no idea this ever happened or any other accidents this guy has had, but it looks to me he hid it and I made the mistake of just taking his trailer without a pre-trip.

    My Boss told me he believes my story, thinks this other driver tore his trailer up putting it in a ditch then hid it, and wants the man responsible, not the guy who moved it 1 time only.

    My question is his story I must have tore it up setting the tandems I never touched a story that can be proved false if this is damage done by a tow? There is some fairly significant damage underneath, 1 bar was bent around 6-8inches back, the tandems are way off track, it also smashed the rear stopper bar back a few inches, the mudflaps were pushed upwards towards the tires, and I have no idea if that is even possible setting tandems in a yard, so I hope the truth can be proven to cover my true story, and get a guy like this out of my company if need be.
     
    Dave31670, Apr 10, 2008
    Dave31670, Apr 10, 2008
    #1
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  3. Apr 10, 2008 #2
    CMoore2004

    CMoore2004 Road Train Member

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    I'd recommend the boss get rid of two of the three drivers--a driver that doesn't do a pretrip isn't much more valuable than the guy that hits things. Eventually you'll miss something and it'll be the cause of a much more damaging and easily preventable accident.
     
    CMoore2004, Apr 10, 2008
    CMoore2004, Apr 10, 2008
    #2
  4. Apr 10, 2008 #3
    rockee

    rockee Road Train Member

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    People do screw up and deserve second chances. I would suggest at the very least next time doing some sort of walk around and checking the basics. It seems to me that if its ditch damage then there would still be dirt and/or rocks somewhere underneath, you could also contact the tow company and talk to the operator the pulled him out. On the other hand, putting a trailer in the ditch would not necessarily cause damage like that, most trailers (not all) have stops welded on the rails to prevent the tandems from sliding back too far but the big thing is the tandem release pins would have to have been released or failed somehow which is probable and I have seen happen before, but in my opinion unlikely. I would talk to the tow driver and see what he says or remembers
     
    rockee, Apr 10, 2008
    rockee, Apr 10, 2008
    #3
  5. Apr 10, 2008 #4
    Big Don

    Big Don "Old Fart"

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    There IS MORE THAN ONE REASON to do a pretrip. You've just found that out. It may be a tough lesson for you, but I'll bet it's one you won't forget.

    Yeah, we have all screwed up at one time or another. Just try to learn from your mistakes.
     
    Big Don, Apr 10, 2008
    Big Don, Apr 10, 2008
    #4
  7. Apr 11, 2008 #5
    dancnoone

    dancnoone "Village Idiot"

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    May 6, 2007
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    I'll Echo the same. I ALWAYS do a walk around on a trailer I am hooking to.

    I always check the tandems closely. The last thing I want, is one of our older trailers that I can't get slid. If it's older. I'll try to slide it on the spot. No use in getting out the yard, then needing to slide it 100 miles away.

    I bought and paid for that lesson a long time ago.

    Any significant damage I see will be noted, and reported. I don't just report anything. A close look can tell you if repairs have been made/attempted.

    If it's significant enough to note, and no one is in office. I drop a trailer report in the mailbox we use for turning in our bills after hours.

    Fortunately, we have a pretty good bunch. So damages and repairs needed are generally reported, when they should be. The FIRST time it is noticed...at fault or not.
     
    dancnoone, Apr 11, 2008
    dancnoone, Apr 11, 2008
    #5
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