Skills learned after truck driver training & being out w/ trainer

That rig needs to dance a little bit on ice. Allow her the room to do so. If you happened to be a few feet this way and that... as long you are generally going forward all is well.

CONSTANTLY think about that #### steering wheel. Whatever you input into it, GIVE HER A MINUTE to comply. That way if something does not quite addup and she starts to SLIDE you can feed in a instant and proper correct and try again.

Don't add several inputs at once. YOu will see that it will try to do all of them and maybe you have a royal mess on your hands as you slide off the interstate wondering what in the world happened.

 

Never guess how much fuel you have or fuel your going to need.if you park a on an angle make sure the fuel is going to run into the feed tank.I always keep a stick long enough to accurately read what's in my tanks and a can of starting fluid in case I forget rule#1.Don't be afraid to ask for help especially when doing something that requires strength(2 "Hands"are better than 1).If you're unsure of how to do something,ask around,see how others are doing it.Experience is the best teacher. Above all,be Safe and don't take chances,the odds are against you.

 

I believe it's white signs are14"off the center of the axle and yellow signs are actual.I'm not100%sure,it's been awhile since I trucked the city.

 

Don’t post pics with your truck number visible.

 

I'll be laughing about this one probably the rest of life and as I become a more seasoned driver I will pass this information down to all the greenhorns coming in.

 

If you run up north in the winter eventually your going to deal with frozen trailer brakes. Carry a 3 to 4 pound hammer. Its good for thumping tires and heavy enough to break loose a frozen drum.

 

That is where I come in. Do it on a flat spot. Not a slope. A ball peen hammer, sets (Plural) chocks and so on.

Rap on the edge of the drum near the pads. rap rap rap until you get that DING! DING! that's enough, it's loose.

Go to the next drum. Repeat. Remember once you get three of four loose that rig is going to lean into that last drum if on a slope. See if you cannot get out from under and rap on it from outside the tire.

If you have plastic airlines in bright colors do not jack hard in -35 or lower, they will snap and break on you. Do use rubber airlines in black and carry spares.

 

Why not just set your tractor brakes and not set the trailer brakes? I see lots of guys do that.

 

1. If you’re passing the bull haulers you’re going too fast.
2. Just cause everyone is going 70 in the rain/snow doesn’t mean you should.
3. Take all the time you need to back, forget what the idiot on the CB is spewing. A good back is always the one that never hits anything.
4. Check your tires and fifth wheel every time you take a break or leave the truck unattended.
5. Always keep your fuel tanks as full as possible in the winter.
6. Keep atleast 2 weeks worth of food for emergencies.
7. Unless your company delivers to high security places like military bases, keep a gun. Screw their no gun policy you only have one life and it’s better to not need it but have it than otherwise.
8. Don’t believe everything the next trucker says. Always take it with a grain of salt.
9. Better late than never.
10. Have a couple gallons of winter windshield fluid and some spare wipers.

 

That works and is a very good practice, but it dose nothing if your doing a drop and hook.