Using mirrors only on a 45 degree back?

indianapolis indiana

 

I carry a box of Glow sticks, I can pop a stick and put one on each side of the Dock door that is in the hole and they show up good at night, even work somewhat in the day time!
I also like my mirrors, I can adjust them as I am blind siding, and it will stay with the back corner of my trailer. If I didn't do drop and hooks, I would get a cam on the blindside of my trailer like they have a new RVs. I think that would work great!

 

LavenderTrucker,
Don't know what HOS is, but i learned all about-hours on duty. The school i went to has one of the best reputations in the COUNTRY. On test day i did not drive on the road at all but i get what you are saying about get the truck parked so you can do what you need to do, eat , pee , go to bed.

 

HOS = Hours of Service

 

Lastat,

You have a lot to learn! Just saying.

 

Things to consider:

In real-life backing, especially alley-type or blindside, do not trust solely in your mirrors. GOAL has many more reasons than just scuffing your trailer. Hazards can appear in the space between you and the dock in amazingly short times. You will be amazed how many folks will pick that time to take a "shortcut" thru that space.

When backing into a building when you have to open your barn doors first be very careful to leave enough room on both sides of the trailer for when you pull out. This sounds simple but it's not. An open barn door will compress in against the side of the trailer going in but fetch up on the building going out.... resulting in a ripped-off door. Not something you want to report to dispatch.

Same scenario. Do not back up hard to the dock. Stop short, go back and check the space first. One of the most horrific accidents I've ever seen happened this way. "Helpful" dock worker hopped down to open trailer door for driver. Trailer cut him in half against dock. Remember, dock workers are quite often not the brightest of folks.

Do not put all your faith in someone "guiding" you while you're backing up. You are the driver and you are responsible. Especially, do not let anyone "guide" you from the back of the trailer. They have a habit of ducking back and forth to where they think you can see them. Stop Immediately if you lose sight of them.... even for a second. You do not want to hear that scream.

Remember that when you are maneuvering a big rig around loading/unloading areas that there are people there. It's your responsibility to keep their safety in mind.

 

Thats good to hear,there are plenty others out there just like you
Hold your faith in "skill" over "crutches" and you too will one day pass
it on.

 

Hours of service , my bad it was my understanding that HOS was the time you were in the military and that Hours on duty was time you were driving or riding shotgun in a rig.

I know there is alot i have yet to learn, and i understand that you learn alot more when your out in the real world than any school can teach.

Trekker1 ,
GOOD LUCK out there on the road i wish you the best.

 

Lavender said:

"Last time home, I woke up in the middle of the night to use the restroom and almost started to get dressed, then I realized I didn't have to go outside across the lot, the bathroom is only a few steps a way and carpted!! What a treat."

I should hope that you don't sleep nekked in your rig. What would happen if there was an emergency where you didn't have time to 'get dressed'?