Is it hard to learn to drive a truck?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by HopefulOleTrucker, Aug 30, 2019.

  1. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    No.

    Push button drive.

    Now if you wanted the old iron with manuals etc, then find a old one still alive to teach you how.

    I don't mind the new stuff. But my rejoicing in the actual doing comes from a generation of old iron before computers. They might be a gallon low on coolant for instance but if you paid careful attention and nursed her a while she'll get you there. Computer trucks today leak a little bit and shut down. It's stupid.

    I would venture to say that society at large learning to drive has been dumbed down. But that does not include those of us still alive to remember the glory days.
     
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  2. Redbeard007

    Redbeard007 Light Load Member

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    I just finished school. Driving is easy, it's the backing that is difficult. Well backing and driving at night. Watch your mirrors.
     
  3. D.Tibbitt

    D.Tibbitt Road Train Member

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    No its not hard to drive. The hard part is learning the lifestyle of the trucker, managing ur clock, navigating around cities you have never been too. When u get lost , trying to find a way out that doesnt turn ur truck into a convertable or put it over a 10ton weight limit bridge, etc etc. Its all the nuiances of the job that is hard to learn
     
  4. Lepton1

    Lepton1 Road Train Member

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    And don't drive the Prius like a truck.
     
  5. okiedokie

    okiedokie Road Train Member

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  6. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    I'll show up with my sooty smokey joe next to the Prius sometime. blech a cloud into them. Not on purpose you see, it will take a thousand priuses to remove the stain on the evironment.
     
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  7. GhentSaintPeters

    GhentSaintPeters Light Load Member

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    It was for me. I still can't drive a manual for #### and I don't know what I'll do if I go the LTL route.

    My backing I have come a long ways in 7 months. However, some days I'm impressed with my backs and other days it's like I haven't got a clue.

    For me at least lots of factors go into how easy or hard a back is - I'm I dead ### tired? Is it the middle of the night and dark out or nice and sunny outside? Do I have 0 spectators or some ####### right on my ### because he can't wait a few minutes to let me finish? 75 degrees in fall or -20 with snow covering the painted lines in bum#### North Dakota?

    I do say, I'm still impressed when I see other drivers get her in a tight spot without a pull up. It's a thing of beauty, if I do say so myself.
     
  8. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    I am not going to toot any kind of horn. But that automatic is a problem in back.

    You set up and get on that clutch plate and start moving backwards working the wheel in auto.

    BOUNCE BOUNCE BOUNCE BOUNCE then JERKY HOPPY BOUNCE BUCK etc.

    BS.

    Set up. Put R on that thing, throw out the clutch all the way and working your trailer in first. One move.

    I could probably still do it even today. But that depends on the auto. It's going in there.
     
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  9. FlaSwampRat

    FlaSwampRat Road Train Member

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    Don't let those days that you can't back up right no matter what you do get you down. We all have them
     
  10. HopefulOleTrucker

    HopefulOleTrucker Bobtail Member

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    Oh yeah lol. That’s one of a kind.