How to not be tired after long trips?

You just got to find the rhythm you want.
Me I start at 4-5 AM work my day, then done.
If it’s not good enough, let someone else do it.

 

Yeah, it's just one of those things people tend to over complicate and then get scared of because they dont understand. When I used to train new guys, it's one of a handful of things I made sure they understood before going on their own. Reading a map and fully understanding the logbook and how to make it work for you, not the other way around were the two biggest things I focused on. Backing and shifting will come with time, so as long as they understood what they were doing, got out and looked, and knew how to make corrections they were good to me. Hell, I've been driving 10 years, it still amazes me the fact that I cant shift into the far upper right gear without scratching it. For some reason, my timing never seems to be right, no matter what truck or tranny set up I've driven (currently a 10 speed, so I scratch 9th almost every time), but I'm smooth as can be with all the other gears.

 

I'm going to politely disagree a bit with your assessment on this. I know this opinion will not be popular but I do believe it 100%. When you are driving a truck (CORRECTLY) you MUST be 100% focused on that truck and the vehicles around you. YES, this is MUCH easier to do say out on I-10 at 4 AM out near Van Horn Texas than out on I-95 on the Potomac drawbridge in DC at 5 PM on a workday. Easier, however, does not equate to less stress* in my book. For the record, I have seen many more fatal or near-fatal accidents involving CMVs out in places like Van Horn Texas, than a major populated area. This means somebody stopped doing their jobs because there was no apparent stress*. I will agree that driving a CMV in an area with reduced traffic lowers the chances of having an issue with another vehicle. I just contend that the act of driving regardless of location if done (CORRECTLY) will cause you to become mentally fatigued at some point. It's unavoidable.

* By stress, I am not talking about that sudden urge to find something to ram up somebody's rectum after they pull a major stupid. I am referring to the stress involved in simply doing the job.

 

So.

What you’re telling us... is that laying in the air horn to everyone, just to keep them from doing something stupid is wrong?

 

I'm not sure I understand your point! I also don't quite understand how the misuse of a horn was part of anything I mentioned.

 

NSFW due to language (one word) but this would be a good reason for usage of horn?

 

Anytime I had to drive around Chicago to Wisconsin, soon as I hit Indiana I cranked up the stereo with some good tunes and held my middle lane.

Melllow mmmmm. Mellow.

If I had to concentrate I would have killed most people with my mental powers.

 

I don't either mainly because I keep my wallet and truck keys in my cargo pants, not because I'm worried about someone I don't know or care about, seeing me and passing judgement.