Do I need to know all of the specific details?

Not necessarily...but for your own education you should know what those things do and how they operate......you used to have to know what all those parts did and how to check them to make sure they are in safe operating condition

 

We had to know where the stuff was and the signs that it was good or not. That was for the pre-trip inspection portion of the road test. When I got my CDL over 12 years ago, we didn't get a cheat sheet like some states allow now though.

 

Why the hell wouldn't you want to know that stuff? IMO if you don't know what a pitman arm is you shouldn't be allowed to sit in a truck, let alone drive one...



Congrats, you are well on your way to becoming a first class steering wheel holder.

 

let's put it this way: when you do your pre-trip for the DOT & he/she ask you what a pitman arm does & you don't know what a pitman arm is, you'll probably fail. if you don't know what the parts on a truck-trailer are, how are you going to explain what needs fixed to the shop mech.

 

CDL manuals cover what you'll need to know to pass the written tests. If "all that mechanical stuff" is too much for you (i.e., you think you'll just drive pretty and see the country) or it's boring or whatever, then don't even bother with the written material. Knowing "mechanical stuff" is part of the job. Why wouldn't you want to know it?

 

armpit man, isn't that some kind of fetish?

 

I would think you would want to and should know what a pitman arm is. If it's cracked or if there is something wrong with it, it could cost you your life! My Nostradamas mind is telling me you are not to be a trucker! You need to know that stuff. This isn't an office job! You need to know the ins and outs of that rig, you need to be able to feel when there's something wrong, and even smell when something isn't right. This is the job of a PROFESSIONAL truck driver!

 

If there are a few people around while I'm pre-tripping, I like to open the hood and go "wow, there's a lot of stuff in here. I wonder what this does? oh that's hot. don't touch that again."

..they don't know if I'm serious or not. That's the best part.