FedEx Ground Linehaul with JohnBoy

John Boy happy to read about your new situation, I have no doubt you will do well, and impart much of your knowledge and experience to add value for your new employer. All the best for 2024.

 

At first I would set something down as a reference point when backing like a glove on the ground to see where i needed to stop. After a while you will get pretty close from familiarity.

I spot my dolly just in front of the lead pup (in my first picture yesterday) so it doesn't have any chance to pivot when I am hooking. The more the dolly moves away from the rear when you hook to the lead the more it can turn and miss the pin, then you have to restart.

 

I would stage the dolly in front of the kite, then slowly back my lead trailer to it, listening with the window down. When I hear the trailer tap the dolly, I pull forward maybe 6-12 inches. Hook up to the dolly and back it under the kite. This might not work with all styles of trailer and dolly, but it did for ours.

 

I still have trouble backing the dolly up at times. So when I’m having trouble, I’ll get it within 20-30 feet and then push it the rest of the way, where it’s literally right in front of the back trailer.

Then I’ll slowly back my lead up, tap it then pull forward about a foot or so, hook it to my lead then finish hooking it up.

They give us a 20 minute time limit to get fully hooked up, my first few tries took me well over 30 minutes. I now can do it in 10 or so minutes.
It’ll come easier as you keep doing it. Also find the spot that affords you lots of room, so you work with it.

Practice makes perfect as well, I tend to practice when I have some free time after I come back from daily route if I’m not to tired.

 

I second this

 

Following your journey. I was like you doing Otr and banging my head against the wall. Switched over to line haul 10 years ago (ABF) Have never looked back. Some really good advice so far that I have read. You have a lot of people rooting for you. I grazed your other thread from time to time just to see how the other half lived. Wait till you get on your feet and start running. You will say just like I did, why didn't I do this 15 years earlier. Good luck to you sir, I will be following this. Pulling doubles is easy. You will be fine.