New Driver Looking for Advice

3 lefts make a right if necessary, be calculated, don't let anyone bully you, give yourself space, take a deep breath, plan your route ahead of time, etc.

Your beard rules btw!

 

Read & reread the CDL Manual...look for guidance in CDL Manual.

Drive slow on turns. Drive slow in the rain, drive slow on snow. Do Not Drive on ICE. Drive down mtns one gear lower than what it takes to climb up hill. Drive no more than 4.5 miles over the speed limit.

Backing: get out & look...many times. Be Safe.

 

Super Nice beard!! Remember You can do anything with a beard. Mine is almost all white now.

 

No need to worry about the Grapevine ... It's covered in 5 feet of mud ...

 

Sounds like you got a pretty cool gig. I grew up in Indio. Probably keep it in 4th gear or 5th gear going down the grapevine 35 mile an hour maximum. Technically you don't even need to go down the grapevine because you can cut through Mojave via Hesperia and shoot across 58 through Tehachapi and then go north on 99 and west on 46 and catch interstate 5 going north bound without even going down the grapevine.

 

Don't be afraid to make mistakes, everyone does at one time or another-just learn from them so that you do not repeat them!

 

In ancient times, your place would be next to the King.

 

Watch your speed on the Grape Vine. Lots CHP checking speed and saw plenty trucks smoking their brakes when heading down. Make sure you are in the right gear before heading down the steep parts. I used to run through there once a week, but pick the dessert route most of the time.

Watch your king pin length in CA too. Also watch your turns with the trailer off tracking since it is easy to run over something. Take your time and double check when in doubt. Last take advice with a grain of salt since there is lots of bad advice. Good luck.