I feel stupid. Please help me not feel stupid.

Hey, I thought we lost you!! ( I could just imagine you huddling under the kitchen table) It's not a pansy job, there will be times, you'll have to make decisions that were never covered in class. When in doubt, ASK. People, especially in the non-trucking portion ( loading/unloading) WILL make you feel stupid. Don't be intimidated by that. Remain professional. ( and not roundhouse someone like my friend did) I was always glad to leave a place that gave me trouble, it was a good feeling. Anybody that's trucking, knows, you will be green, we've all been there. Most truckers, and this site verifies that, want to help. Women make excellent truck drivers. I might suggest trying big companies ( Walmart, Publix, etc), as they are very willing to have women join the fleet, and may put you through school, to boot.

 

I have to say again to Ask people. If you read these forums enough you will come to the conclusion that all truckers are aholes and will never help. While there is an element to that, the vast, vast majority of people will help you if you ask. Got a tight back you are worried about ask for a spotter. Something sounds weird under the hood, grab an o/o that is walking around and get their opinion. Get a few minutes on your hands and see someone working on their truck, just go over and be friendly and chat.
I've done all these things and with the occasional "Sorry, running out of time." it's never been a problem.
The thing to remember is people don't like to volunteer and get involved, but will if asked. Just be polite and don't get upset if they cannot help. They may have time issues and have to leave.

 

When you push down on the brake pedal you will be sending a message (air) to this valve (Silver or Aluminum) with the orange air lines hooked to it. This valve will send air pressure to the brake chambers. Needless to say this is my truck 1995 W900L Glider. May not help at all but maybe give you a mental picture of what's going on in a truck.
The #1 most important thing you need to remember is this......
It takes 1000's of nuts to hold that truck together, but it only takes 1 nut to scatter it all over the countryside.

 

I'll let you figure this out on your own.... although I hope you never get in a situation with your brakes, that you need to do this. Some here will know what this is.... but many will be confused I promise.

 

You go girl!
You'll do fine, because you started asking questions before you got behind the wheel.

 

The video is a nice one. We have roads that show that kind of scenery out there in the USA. If you keep calm, you will see a way to get out of the cab and back to the solid ground. The alternative is not good.

I hope you never see bad things out there on the road, but chances are you will be first upon a scene when someone is really have a bad day. Im somewhat damaged from that but I'll be ok. It's not me I worry about. Its the not knowing if certain persons made it or not. I would like them to.

 

Those are called Maxibolts. That is the name taught me anyhow. It might not be a accurate name.

The spring sits in the box with the hole. Put the bolt in, turn it enough to take the spring and squeeze it enough so that it no longer can hold the wheel locked. Leave it there until you get it driven or towed to a shop to fix the problem.

We used them now and then after a proper truck fire which is put out. That burns away the hoses and such, put those bolts in, and you can move it or drive it again. If you were wondering about what to do with what is left of the hose that feeds that chamber, fold it back on itself and clamp that shut with a pair of pliers that lock. Snap.

That little tidbit might save you a tow.

Never stand or crouch in the path of that bolt. If there is a problem in the metalurgy itself and it snaps, it's going to split your brains all over the shop floor. Or bury itself in your heart or something important.

I appreciate the thanks for the ... dumbed down description, but you really have to study. Or better yet get a hold of a actual truck and touch everything from Compressor back to wheels.

If any more problems write. We'll get to you.