First Day Solo

How long after getting your own truck did it take you to realize that steering wheels aren't normally sticky?

(Sorry, sorry... couldn't resist )

 

Thull, two things"

Tire pressure gauge - get one. Don't go cheap. Especially avoid anything with "RoadPro" brand. Get one that has either a digital or analogue gauge, not the sliders. They are more expensive, but much more accurate. Mine cost about $35, but well worth it. Thumping tires doesn't really give you much information. Try thumping, then gauge them, and start seeing how "off" you are.

Hose - again, don't scrimp here. Get the neon hoses, not the shiny cheap PVC hoses. The neon hoses stay nice and loose in cold weather. I don't coil mine, but put it in a cheap duffle bag to easily unfurl when I need it.

When hooking to a new trailer, check the pressures. Use the air jose to inflate any that are below spec. It may take 20-30 minutes to get it done, but that is less time than letting "Larry LEO" write you up for an under inflated tire, and WWWAAAAYYYY less time than calling On Road and waiting on hold for an hour for them to finally arrange to have road service arrive two hours after that. You are selling your 70. Make it count.

 

Very good advice Lepton. If more drivers did that then there would be lots fewer trailers with low tires.

 

Well, took it out and double checked it. It fills up to 117'ish for me when the compressor cuts off. Still good if your in a pickle.

 

Hope all is going well finally, Thull~!

 

Whatever, KriegHund. I don't get why you're so touchy anyway. You asked the OP if he'd done a good pretrip, he had a 4lb discrepancy, I simply asked if you could have noticed that small a difference. I'm sure very few drivers would notice, not unless they were out there checking tire pressures every time they started off. I check a lot, but not every time.

Sorry if I sounded like I was getting on you, I wasn't, I just don't think 4lbs is that easy to observe. And I don't know anybody who checks air pressure more than me, and I don't check every time.

 

You might feel differently when that first blind side back on a narrow street or in a very tight dock happens.
Then, you will feel like a rookie again.

Just remember to take your time with it.
NEVER be in a rush to get it lined up correctly. Do as many G.O.A.L.'s as you need to, and never be afraid to go around the block to line it up better that next time.