Have a big control problem

I also have some local logging truck opportunities, but I don't know if driving log truck is good or bad? I've never researched it.

 

If it is retail deliveries it is very hard work, if it is plant to distributor it would probably be no touch truck loads. Make sure you find about that.

 

There is a lot of off road driving involved in logs. That is hard driving, I did it for several years hauling sand and gravel in road construction.

 

Sounds like a dry 5th wheel. Sometimes I see trucks bobtailing, and the 5th wheel is so dry, it's rusting, besides, I think some peoples mindset is, once they pull the pin, their responsibility toward that trailer ends, so they let the clutch fly and never look back.

 

I work for TWT. Sunday will be the start of week 3 with my trainer. In the past week dispatch has sent us on one wild goose chase after another. Forcing us to team drive. In 3 days we went almost 4000 miles. This past week has been almost 5000 miles. I managed to get my 10 at home to pick up my license, twic card, wash laundry etc. however before long they were calling saying we had to go now drop our load and haul butt to another 2 drops then back to California again on yet another run.

Don't get me wrong I do enjoy it but I'm not learning that much because I'm running forward all the time. I need to work on hooking up and dropping a trailer which I've done twice now. The rest of the time he's doing it because we don't have time. The only backing training I'm getting is when it's my turn to drive and we get to the shipper or receiver. And most of that is straight back.

I'll try your suggestions next time I get a chance to unhook. He is having me leave the truck running while unhooking and run it in first. Both times I've unhooked it's taken off like a rocket when I start to pull it forward. We cheeked it recently and there were some metal showing in spots so he put more grease on. He does slide the trailer on so will check that again.

My trainer likes to run hard then complain that he's being run to hard and doesn't have time to train his students. It's hard on us because he doesn't have time to train us. He is a really nice guy even buys us food to help out and show his appreciation. I just wish we could learn more. He doesn't even do a pre- or post- trip inspection. Just marks it down as done and every thing checks out. His last student calls him every day for things she didn't learn and needed to know. He's been driving for 40 years but only with this company for 4.

I had too ask to get him to show me where things are on the engine do i could study. 5-6 mores weeks then i get to start on my own and i don't feel at all ready. I'm silk tired from being up over 24 hours the day i got to go home. Oh well. We're back in California again. This timer he's turned off his phoned so he can get home and do laundry and stuff. We don't leave here until tomorrow night so I'm gonna get some rest while i have the chance.

Sorry about the wrong words. I'm on my dumb phone since I don't have access to wifi.

Thank y'all. I appreciate the help.

 

I just love hooking up those trailers that are dropped by those that think they have to crank the landing gear down far enough to relieve weight off the fifth wheel. Thanks, now the guy that's getting that trailer has to crank it back down, usually fully loaded to avoid a high hook. Here's a thought... crank the gear down to almost touching then drop the air bags and pull out from under the trailer, how hard is it?

 

Hi TruckerGonnaBe, remember, dropping and hooking and backing compromise a very small portion of trucking, and 95% of your job is driving forward, so naturally, it's going to be hard for a trainer to highlight those situations. When you do come into those situations, take it real slow, don't let anybody rush you, take your time, and nothing but time will get you the experience.

 

Do they actually train or are they just evaluating you?

 

Thank you for reminding us about this important point. I ran into this scenario this morning and it was a good opportunity to make the point with my trainee, as he cranked the trailer down onto the fifth wheel before backing into the kingpin.

 

As crazy as it sounds, I'll bet there's people that don't even know what that switch is for.