Newb's please read.

Sonny, ya just got to QUIT with these five dollar dictionary words. Youse is sposed to be wantin to drive a truk, not edit the local newspaper. Oh wait, most truckers would do a BETTER job than the editors do. Nevermind.

 

Yeah they would!

 

All drivers should have a tool bag,hammer,fuel filter wrench,extra filter.I carry much more than this but not as much as some guys I know.You be surprised how many rookies don't even know what kind of power they are running.

 

But........Weren't all the fluid levels full when the truck was new
I have both types of screwdrivers,pliers, a left handed monkey wrench, and a sharp knife,I also carry electrical and duct tape with me,also a fuse puller
I've gotten myself off the side of the road several times using my tools.

 

Well, yeah. And they was checked last service. That's only been 11,500 miles ago...

 

There you go. He could very well had know how to fix it, but it sounds like he's one of those drivers that says....."it's not my job, i get paid by the mile to drive"........He won't last long.

 

Good post. I used a pilot helmet flight bag to carry what I used. I had extra parts and tools to make any repairs on the road and the company liked it. As long as I didn't get into any parts that would require a re-cert or a proper mach. to repair. I called out the mech. one time to change my alternator. It was at night and I had enough sense to give him all the required info that he needed for the repairs. So it pays to learn the truck even if it's on your own time.

I also went through a small city police force truck inspection and there was a bottom feeder there OOS for no tail light. He asked me if I had one and of course I did but I told him it was going to cost him $20. He didn't even bat an eye and was reaching for the money when I was laughing and saying it's on the house. That was way back when we had the light bulb, IIRC wasn't the number on the bulb 1250?

Well at least idiots like that guy will keep wreckers in business and a job for a driver.

 

Wow, talk about the "new breed" issue. I grew up hearing stories about the occasional roadside in-frame overhaul.

"Well, the factory was right across the street, I couldn't pass up the savings on the shipping."

Disclaimer: the above is a quote from an old time trucker, make your own judgement as to the accuracy.

In all seriousness though, the truckers that I spent time with during my youth could repair a heck of a lot more than a blown bulb- it's part of the job. Way back when, the driver often had to change his own tires and grease the chassis- on his own time.

 

Keep in mind, good-and-tight was an acceptable torque specification back then. I am talking history here. The guy I quoted there trucked from the early 1940's to around 1965.

Fun fact: his reasons for leaving the trucking business were- rising costs of fuel and tires, and more trucks than freight resulting in lower rates.

Sound familiar?