I crossed the ditch instead of the tiny culvert bridge

Upon arrival at the delivery spot, which is the large gravel area I didn’t think the Conestoga trailer would make it across the culvert bridge. After getting out and over, analyzing the situation and decided that the ditch wasn’t too steep on either side and took that instead.

I took it nice and slow over the curb and then through the ditch, I also locked the differentials just in case.

another day, another adventure

 

Got lucky on that one

 

It is OK to say NO on a delivery location. Not all places are going to be able to take a road truck.

You did get a big hand of luck on this one. That ground was solid, not going to be like that every time.

 

Also just because it was solid and may have been solid for the last few trucks doesnt mean it will stay solid. Perfect example 6 other trucks dumped here before me. Then they ran the sprinklers between rigs and i sunk to my axles and had to hire a wrecker.



Grass is bad, never drive on grass if you can help it.

 

I saw a flatbed go into a construction site once and he wasn’t so lucky. That said, I was still impressed. His trailer was #### near perpendicular to the ground and the load was still secured on the deck tighter than a snare drum. Hadn’t moved an inch.

 

Well you make no sense, the gravel surface would have been the best choice but then I had a driver who did the same thing, a weeks worth of rain prior made the grass surface really soft and it was a $4900 tow bill, the customer was pissed off because they put the gravel road in just for heavy trucks.

 

There was no way I was going to make that turn onto the culvert bridge to get to the gravel.

That option was out.


All the other above posts concerned with me driving on the grass, I get it. This is why I post here. I walked it. It was dry and hard but you’re right you never know what’s going on below the surface

I should’ve just stayed on the pavement and made them unload me from there.


Again, thank you to everyone because this is why us new drivers come here.

 

Glad it worked out without bad things happening. Even happier you're listening and applying things as you learn. We've all done stupid stuff, some of it we got lucky and some we payed for.

 

Yes it is a lesson learned, you are lucky. Learn from others when you can.

 

Funny thing about good judgement…it comes from experience…. And experience comes from poor judgment lessons learned.
When i got my cdl, a salty old crusty driver told me that there’s places we’re not meant to go, being safe is a mindset, and accidents aren’t accidents when big trucks are involved.
In 3 years, I’ve refused 1 load because i wasn’t comfortable with the exit strategy getting out of that station…backing out onto US41 in Calhoun GA. The only approach to the drops is nose in, otherwise the drops are underneath the truck. (Gas hauler)
My read of it was i would need cops to block traffic for me to exit safely, as there’s absolutely no way I’m backing a fuel tanker across 4 lanes of highway.
This time you were extremely lucky.
The ground was firm enough to support you, there was no underground infrastructure you damaged, like pipes or tanks, and you came out okay.
I would caution you against doing it again.
Lightning rarely strikes twice, and that one was your freebie.
Keep yourself safe, protect your equipment, and protect your name with the client.
Those photos indicate to me a very difficult situation that would be best served by a straight truck than a tractor trailer.
While i don’t know how a spread axle flatbed bends while backing, i could see pulling into the curve and backing up the drive lane.
Exit would be backing out onto the curve to pull out to the bottom of the photo.
Again, I’m making assumptions that may not be wisest, or accurate, just stating observations.
Above all, be safe out there my friend.
Never end up on the 5 o’clock news.