Questions for a trailer tech?

If anyone has questions about trailers, ask away. I'm a former Swift driver, current trailer tech. I've been in the shop for two years now. So if there is some little nagging question in the back of your mind, here's your chance to get it answered.

P.S. Note I am a trailer tech. I never work on the tractors.

 

Purple, unless it's the fifth Monday in March- in which case it will be spaghetti.

Darn good question to the first!

As to the second, there are no plans to do that. Where would you like them to be? On the front of the trailer, or the sides? Because I could easily begin doing that on the trailers we will be keeping for a while longer.

 

I guess I opened a can of worms here, so let me share something with y'all--

Since the merger, management has refused to hire mechanics. We've lost 2 trailer techs and we are set to lose another next week. That's half our shop gone. And the big bosses simply rub their hands with glee over the money they save on paychecks.

I would very much like to make your jobs easier. I've been there and I do get it. I am asking, however, for your understanding that I am swamped with more work than I can possibly accomplish already.

This thread idea came about from a conversation I had with a new driver who asked tons of questions. I figured there might be others with questions that never have the chance to ask. So I posted this.

I'm not mad at y'all and by all means keep requesting additional items you want me to do. But understand it isn't going to happen until I have more coworkers to share the load. At this time, I'm shortcutting everything and my most used tool is my caulk gun.

When I have the chance, I will begin adding trailer numbers on the front and placing the 40' decal on the side.

Thank you for your input, and I'm sorry I can't be more help to you with your requests.

 

It may not be everywhere. I only know my shop. But there does seem to be a general reluctance to hire anyone other than drivers. Which is silly, of course. Mechanics are just as important to a trucking company. None of the drivers will get very far if all the equipment is down.

Anyway, I'm done whining. We all knew change was coming.