Flatbed to van: backing!

LTL is going to shed a lot of light on your backing skills or lack thereof, in a very short time. Backing is backing, but then you also need to develop a sense of "square" (coming off of a dock/building at 90 degrees, not 85 or not 80 degrees)

I'd say it just depends on whatever "natural" abilities you have [or don't have] as to what sort of trouble you may or may not have.

You're going to find van trailers may back different then spread axle flatbeds due to how far back the pivot point is behind the 5th wheel. 53 foot trailers with tandems all the way back will behave completely different then a 53 with the tandems most of the way up, in terms of backing response but you should learn this quickly and develop a "new sense"

 

Repetition, thick skin for the little bit of greif you might get, and a few weeks of multiple docks a day.... you will ajust.

 

GOAL. Also, ltl does that mean day cabs? Day cabs with their short wheel base will making the greenest flatbeders look like a pro.

 

They are, well ajusted mirrors help to, knowing when your square to a building is important, lots of places dont have pretty lines on the ground...

 

You'll get some grief, but since you'll be backing a lot you'll pick it up quickly.

I would say if you're still flat bedding while waiting for a local gig just start backing more, like if you go to a truck stop use a back in spot and not a pull through. Little things like that. If you're already backing sleeper with spread axles then switching to tandems and day cab you'll actually be better then you think

 

Have you had your road test yet? I ask because, local LTL companies do not do the typical "around the block" road test like OTR companies. Both local companies I have worked for did a fairly extensive backing evaluation. You will hit some docks each day, but you will also have to back around yard obstacles and back across busy streets into narrow drives next to building that may or may not be perpendicular to the street you are backing across. Most of these companies will allow an extended training period with a local driver if your skills don't meet their spec, and then you will do another skills test for safety before you get your own truck.

 

Ive done a 48 foot ravens Flatbed with a N11 equipped volvo sleeper cab with Eck Miller back in the 90's with steel hauling etc. There is a switch in cab to empty the rear most axle bags on the trailer as you turn tight so that it will float and not scrub ruin tires etc. All the trailer weight goes onto the forward Spread axle and pivots on that point. I don't run with them anymore suspecting being blacklisted due to a victory in court against them which is a long off topic story.

LTL Less than truckload. I worked it on MBM (Red Lobster Darden delivery regionally from Aberdeen Maryland for a while. FFE called me up, threw down a 1200 dollar a week salary (Note: S A L A R Y) and go deliver behind red lobsters in many places several times a week according to hours. You are given a special trailer 3 doors on it, probably a 48'er which has slide tandams on the back under there in addition to the tractor. My 1998 Freightliner centry sleeper cab was not suited to LTL behind resturant work at all, but with some courage, paying attention to your tires so you don' tear them up, a case of 5th wheel grease, a bit of Steering work and so on.

You must expect to wriggle into and out of places. Just don't actually wriggle the rig you offend the Professional. You will be told what door to line up on, deploy large wheeled conveyor minus a gallon of blood, pain and maybe a few fingers. Then you juggle a two inch thick inventory of everything due at that resturant door. 100 steaks center cut, 20 cases king crab (110 pounds each if I recall) and so on etc across the full spectrum of sea food plus codiments, bread etc etc etc. You will work very hard. You will beg for a rest and the owner will follow you on that qualcomm to make sure you are delivering him or her the food for tonight's dinner service.

The perks of being able to eat steak, other meats, seafood, breads and trimmings beyond belief maybe at a discounted cost makes you very strong for this work. I had three lobster meals per day when finished unloading at each of the 4 locations I served with that LTL trailer for Darden. So you stumble in shuffling to the table seeing stars due to being so tired, eat hearty and march out ready to do another 16 hours to morning. *Mind your logs.

The biggest. Biggest absolutely biggest threat is crime. Locals are not stupid. That unmarked trailer with the distinctive three door set up (Or even 2) and a folded unloading platform in the rear proclaims market rate lobster for the stealing. (I think it was so much per pound.. I forget now.. money has changed in the last 20 years) It is a cathedral to all thieves wishing to steal YOU blind.

Remember that two inch stack of papers lading? YOU are responsible for that Steak case you handed to the owner of the restaurant. 15 dollars times 24 steaks.. that salary dries up awful fast if you don't know how to count, check loading and ensure that you keep your multiple pallets straight stacked with several locations worth of food.

Back to hours. When you run short and you will... if you ever. ever. ever hear the words from a dispatcher to declare a emergency within your company specifically to allow you to essentially toss the log book and work until you drop. Leave that company. The life you saved might just be mine while I try to park somewhere near you to get a decent meal that you delivered with my thanks. Don't be stupid. Work hard, eat well, hydrate and you will be ok.