Maintenance?

is Danny's good? I've never washed there... I like little sister's in Eloy & Barstow.... Eloy runs about $105 when I wash there. Barstow is around $85, but they won't wash my engine & I had an issue with them last time.

 

I am the "Legend"!

 

Actually it was the one in Avondale next to the Pilot. I hate that one in Phoenix next to the flying J.

it's very good. I got pulled in for inspection at Winterhaven in CA. The inspector write me up for excess grease on my drive axels. On my next trip to Phx I went to Dannys and they had a guy crawl under there and power washed my axels. It added $20 more to the bill but Blue Beacon wouldn't do it.

 

Next time I'm in PHX, I'll stop. Do they still charge you to enter the parking lot if your going to conduct business?

Stay away from Crossroads in West Memphis... Worst truck wash I ever gotten. I had pictures up here at one time, but it looks like I deleted them.

 

I've seen those pics, truck was dirtier after the wash. See the places I've worked expected us to grease trucks, adjust brakes, change oil, change tires, and other minor maintenance.

 

Dannys in Avondale there is no parking. Thats the one I go to. The one across from the hook in Phoenix is the pay to park I think?

 

You probably won't need to know much as a beginner and most of the mega carriers won't want you working on the truck. For the most part, all you need to know is to spot and report any defects, then let them worry about it. When you get some experience, you'll wanna know how to fix those things so your not wasting time with the company or for someone to come out and fix your truck. Most everything they will want you to know they will cover with you and you'll also get a handbook telling you when and what to do under certain circumstances, such as truck washes, winter fuel additives, etc, etc. The only two things I can think of off the top of my head is,

You,ll want to know how to change out bulbs or lamps both on the truck and trailer.
Some of them you take the bulb out from the back of the lamp with just a twist and pull, some you'll have to unsrew the lense to get to the bulb, and normally on the back trailer it's the type where the whole lamp just pushes out of it's rubber grommet. Use WD-40 or even spit to helps push those tail lamps back into the rubber grommets.

You'll have to know how to check your air pressure. Cold tire, perferably in the shade, and if your going cross country perferably somewhere in the middle of the country. Air pressure can fluctuate greatly from Florida to Wisconsin, especially in the winter so if you pick somewhere in the middle you'll keep the tires from being too low or too high, without constantly chasing air pressure. Some guys check it everyday, and some guys never check it, I check it once a week, but I kick the tires almost everytime I stop the truck. Get in the habit of always walking around the truck anytime you stop.

You won't need or want to take too much in the beginning but as you gain experience you'll want to carry more tools. Here is a basic tool kit that you should have,

Flashlight,
couple screwdrivers phillips, flat, and torque bit.
Adjustable wrench
zip ties
duct tape
air pressure guage. I like the straight, with rear angled back chucks. I never could get the angled front and rear to fit in the inner tire stem.

As I said, the more you get into it, you'll want to learn how to do things like replace a belt, fuel filters, mount a tire, adjust brakes, and basic electrical trouble shooting because those skills will help you get down the road (which is where you make your money) and also open the doors to more jobs.

That's all I could think of off the top of my head, although there is a lot more to it. Good luck.