Is it hard driving a Semi for the first time?
#21
09-12-2006, 07:38 AM
Re: Is it hard driving a Semi for the first time?
Originally Posted by Tilar
Originally Posted by Douglas
Although I have a some experience in driving straight trucks (dumptrucks), I've never driven an 18-wheeler before and I've also never backed while pulling a trailer of any sort. (You have to turn the wheel in the opposite direction you want to go, then you have to turn it back again).
What was it like to you when you first drove a Semi? And do you think 10 weeks at tech. school will be enough to go from 'nothing' to 'everything'? (provided I attend all classes)? I'm only 19, so for me, this is going for the big-time. Someone else made a comment about the truck seeming small after you get used to it... I can relate to that, and after being out on the road for 3 or 4 weeks, I look like a student driver when i'm in my car.
#22
09-12-2006, 10:16 AM
Originally Posted by Mtc_Is_Hell
Originally Posted by Deus
The most important thing I can tell you, which isn't as big of a deal in a closed course scenario is when backing up don't be afraid to get out and look (or GOAL). There will be times when you botch angling the truck right to nail it on the first try, and maybe now you've lost track of some objects that were around you. Don't feel embarassed if you have to get out, even if there are other drivers watching you, it is way better than hitting something. Follow that and you will be just fine :-)
Always try to "push" the trailer in so that it HUGS the line closest to the trailer you can see. Watch out for his mirrors and fender.... but get CLOSE! And be PARALLEL to the line!) Now... when you have to straighten out to keep from "jacking" into HIM, STOP and look out your right side window and mirror! Your swinging cab (or front of your trailer) might hit something over there. And of course, GOAL when needed. If you are backing into a slot, and you can keep your trailer's back end / tandems within 2 feet of the line / truck on your sight side, (and you are PARALLEL) you CANNOT hit the truck on the blind side (unless he is over the line!) And if you CAN'T keep it that close.... you aren't gonna make it anyway. Pull up, and try again. Newbies may not realize that it is MUCH easier to back into a slot between two trucks, than into an OPEN dock area with nothing but yellow lines to guide you. When backing in, many ask: "How much should I turn the wheel?" I say, turn the wheel EARLY in the direction you DON'T want to go! As soon as the back of the trailer starts to move in the direction you DON'T want, you have reached the point of maximum control! Now, just steer back the other way, and the back of the trailer will respond IMMEDIATELY. If you don't find this point of maximum control, you can easily jack into the trailer on your sight side BEFORE you even know you need to steer away from it. If you're too close, and can't get it to move away, stop and pull forward 10 feet. That's ALL it will take to give you room to steer the backend away from what you were headed towards.
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#23
09-12-2006, 10:37 AM
Re: Hard Driving A Semi
Originally Posted by Douglas
Thanks for all the advice everyone. Another thing is I can't drive a standard-shift that well. So the fact that they'll teach me to shift the gears is good too.  Shifting a truck is touchy to say the least. It requires that you quickly "catch on" to the pattern, road speeds, and RPM's. It will be dependant on your LOAD weight, grades (even on ramps) and power. I don't mean to insinuate that you should try another career field, but I want to warn you that you WILL have trouble with this, and the instructors will have trouble with YOU. A Truck does NOT go into just ANY gear whenever you want it to by depressing the clutch. You may have to skip a gear, or recover a gear when things don't match. I HOPE your instructors will do a GOOD job of explaining it all to you. But, without the BASIC knowledge of driving a stick shift auto, you will be "behind the 8 ball." Doesn't mean you can't DO it! But, you WILL have to work harder and learn faster! Best of luck to you. Hobo
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Remember... friends are few and far between. TRUCKIN' AIN'T FOR WUSSES!!! "I am willing to admit that I was wrong." The Rev.
#24
09-12-2006, 11:10 AM
Senior Board Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Somewhere between Western Canada and Texas/California
Posts: 1,623
Originally Posted by Douglas
OHHHH... so the Semi is the trailer being pulled, and the tractor is the vehicle PULLING it...  ops: Me and about 80% of Earth's population are pretty stupid. : I would not say stupid, just mis-informed. I know that it is slang to say "Semi" or "Semi-truck" and it appears to be something more Americans say than anyone else. I don't know of very many Canadians that use that slang. It is just a small pet peeve of mine and I was just poking a bit of fun at ya. :wink:
#25
09-12-2006, 11:34 AM
Re: Hard Driving A Semi
Originally Posted by golfhobo
Originally Posted by Douglas
Thanks for all the advice everyone. Another thing is I can't drive a standard-shift that well. So the fact that they'll teach me to shift the gears is good too. Shifting a truck is touchy to say the least. It requires that you quickly "catch on" to the pattern, road speeds, and RPM's. It will be dependant on your LOAD weight, grades (even on ramps) and power. I don't mean to insinuate that you should try another career field, but I want to warn you that you WILL have trouble with this, and the instructors will have trouble with YOU. A Truck does NOT go into just ANY gear whenever you want it to by depressing the clutch. You may have to skip a gear, or recover a gear when things don't match. I HOPE your instructors will do a GOOD job of explaining it all to you. But, without the BASIC knowledge of driving a stick shift auto, you will be "behind the 8 ball." Doesn't mean you can't DO it! But, you WILL have to work harder and learn faster! Best of luck to you. Hobo
#26
09-12-2006, 12:06 PM
Well... I'm not much of a gambler, but I'll take $50 of whatever "action" you're offereing. And as sure as you sound, you MUST be offering 3 to 1.
I'll admit that I'm old enough to have come from the time that EVERY driver, of anything, learned how to drive a stick shift / clutch automobile. Automatics are for (dare I say) wimps! (but I've driven/owned them.) NEVER having been exposed to a stick shift is ONE thing. .... Not being able to master even a stick shift in a 4wheeler, (when owned or operated regularly,) is ANOTHER! :shock: :roll: :shock: :roll: :shock: :roll: :shock:
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Remember... friends are few and far between. TRUCKIN' AIN'T FOR WUSSES!!! "I am willing to admit that I was wrong." The Rev.
#28
09-13-2006, 06:51 PM
Originally Posted by T * Storm
Driving a truck IS EASY - keeping it on the road, stopping, and safely backing it into a dock, however; takes some skills. :lol:
Holding a steeringwheel is easy. Driving a truck is an ART! Those who passed Math, but slept through Geography, will have problems. Some who failed English, but passed Creative Writing, will find it easy! It's a funny job... and there are FEW real prerequisites!
__________________
Remember... friends are few and far between. TRUCKIN' AIN'T FOR WUSSES!!! "I am willing to admit that I was wrong." The Rev.
#29
09-14-2006, 04:34 AM
Originally Posted by golfhobo
Originally Posted by T * Storm
Driving a truck IS EASY - keeping it on the road, stopping, and safely backing it into a dock, however; takes some skills. :lol:
Holding a steeringwheel is easy. Driving a truck is an ART! Those who passed Math, but slept through Geography, will have problems. Some who failed English, but passed Creative Writing, will find it easy! It's a funny job... and there are FEW real prerequisites! Trust me, I take your words of wisdom and my observation with me.
#30
09-14-2006, 06:31 AM
Re: Is it hard driving a Semi for the first time?
Originally Posted by ghost_ryder
After a year, you will be driving it like nothing. At first, your like, man that is a big vehicle....
And you better, always remember that, cause when the things start going "wrong way", it's usually, too late for that! :shock: :wink:
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