Trans Am Still

I'm in Storm Lake supposed to pick up a load but the trailer has been hit near the turn signal on the driver's side. In one spot on the frame rail the hole goes clear through and I can see daylight. Three or four of the cross members have the bottom flat peeling away from the rib and in that spot the floor is just starting to bulge. I've reported it and am waiting for an answer. There doesn't appear to be more extensive damage further underneath, and yes, I walked the complete belly of that trailer. Dunno how I feel about the damage. Pretty sure DOT could nail me to the wall over it. I can't post pics from my phone to here just Facebook. What are y'all's thoughts on it?

If it makes any difference, the load is going to Rocky Hill, CT. Right through Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio... land of the super jerk DOT. I know nothing about CT as I've never been there.

 

^ "Frame, cross members and body mounts shall not be cracked, broken, bent or rusted to a depth as to substantially weaken frame." - That is from a Tennessee DOT inspection sheet. A specific state but I think it is probably a reasonable standard you can expect other DOTs to go by, if not specifically, at least in general.

I think the question is, does the damage "substantially weaken the frame"? Probably only a qualified engineer could answer.

If after seeing the damage first hand, you think the trailer is still safe for the public road, I would at take it to a shop that TransAm suggests and have it looked at. Have it documented that a qualified shop has inspected the damage and found it road worthy. If not that, at least have it documented that TransAm has seen photos of the damage and their mechanics find it road worthy.

I think it does matter that it is going so far out to Connecticut. It is a tough one, sucks you got stuck with it. I do hope it works out well for you.

 

^ Oh, if you do end up running with it. I would continue to take pics of the damaged area along the way. Pre trip/post trip, fuel stops... just a quick snap shot. Your cam will keep the data of date and time.

I doubt that it would hold up in court but if a DOT officer down the road, say in Pennsylvania questioned you about it, you could at least show that you are responsibly keeping an eye on the situation, that the damage is not worsening etc. That could be enough to sway the judgment of the officer if any action is needed or not. If you are acting in the best interest of pubic safety, the officer may feel (s)he does not have to step in to do it.

 

I appreciate the feedback, Passport! Could it get to CT? Prooooobably. Do I feel comfortable dragging it? Not particularly. Because there's always that what-if. If it were I lighter dry load, I might be more inclined to move it, get it unloaded and into a repair shop. But this is a meat load. IF something were to happen, I wouldn't be able to live with myself if someone were hurt or killed as a result of my neglect to stand firm.

As it turns out, TransAm agrees with me that it is not road worthy and the product needs to be put on a new trailer. I took pics as soon as I saw the damage, knowing TransAm would request them. When I was finally on the phone with Thore he asked me to go get pics and I said I already had because I knew they would want them and I emailed them over while on the phone with him. Not sure yet if I will be stuck waiting for this load or redispatched.

 

I would not take it if the crossmembers are damaged that way. Hit a few bumps and the bottom could fall out. Better safe than sorry. I am surprised it was in that bad of condition.

I called my stop in New Hope and they said they would take me today. Took a little creativity to get their # but the internet helps in that department. I am in New Hope and the guy said he would get me a door by 1400. If they can unload me reasonably fast I can be in Ia. before the end of my day. More miles yes I am only getting around 2,500 this week. More importantly I should have enough hours to run this next load and get home.

I just use my WIFI card from verizon. I used to try and get free internet but almost everyone has passwords today.

Be safe out there

 

Shame, dennisroc!

 

Sorry for the misunderstanding, SRQGhost. I think we do a pretty good job here of trying to maintain a standard of respect and a helping hand to one another.....while maintaining everyone's right to choose what is best for their situation.
You are right, there are driver mills and no real standard for driver training.....you pass the test and you have a cdl. In my opinion that is where regulation should have taken place, instead of trying to treat the symptoms once they have already put unqualified people behind the wheel.
Find the best training that you can, SRQGhost. The better your foundation is the more solid your opportunity for success will be.

 

No appology needed here HTQ, they way I am is it was water off my back, besides I don't think I worded it right. The best training possible is the main reason for the question. The school I am looking at the lead instuctor has 12 years in the industry and a state certified examiner, there are 2 other instructors there have a combined total of 66 years in the industry with over 4 million logged miles so hopefully they can pass along some of their knowledge, Not to mention if they are still willing to do it weekend classes which would likely be 1 on 1 instruction.

Now as far as being able to wait for a load I think I have that down, currently been sitting in the same spot now for about 2 hours total waiting for more work to come in my direction. as they keep giving me calls that are close by and quick to complete. And this happens all the time.

 

I would have went with Verizon if they still had unlimited data plans, maybe you are grandfathered in. I have an unlimited data plan with Virgin Mobile, but the speed is throttled down after so much usage, that is why I find WiFi for downloads.

I think a standard Verizon plan now is 12 gigs. A full UFC event, main card, prelim, early prelim can be up to 4 gigs. Save my high-speed data from my phone for daily actives like google maps, etc. Use the antenna for downloads.

 

I just upped mine to 16 gigs. Used to have unlimited but came off road for a little while and then everything changed. I just go on here, FB and watch half hour comedy shows on Netflix. Once in a while I fork over the $5 for the night at the truck stops but only if I am going to be there more than 10 hours so I can watch movies