[DesertRat]

Learned this one when my new company handed me the keys to a disgusting truck.

mix one capful of liquid detergent, one capful of bleach and one capful of liquid fabric softener into a gallon of water and it will make all of your upholstery look like new.


* When backing, always choose the best line, even if it means going to the end of the lot and turning around

*when pulling out of a dock, don't stop and update your logbooks or file your freight bills where your truck blocks other drivers from entering / backing.

*mind your speed, mind your space, mind the rules of the road... one accident or ticket can put your job on the line.

* if you are ticketed, even if you are guilty, hire a lawyer. Your CDL is your life, protect it at all costs.

*despite the urge to hit the bunk, always, at bare minimum, check on the loading of the trailer... the average dockworker is clueless and will load you poorly. (and not just load you so you can't hit axle weights, most loaders have that figured out. Pay attention to how they set the skids, if the but them to both outside walls and not one to the other and then to a wall, you'll have more shifting. Also look at how the skids are wrapped, if they down't shrink wrap onto the skid, shifting can be a problem as well)

* If the load is poorly loaded, don't be afraid to note it on the bills. Many times I've written "trailer poorly loaded, shifting of freight likely, driver not respobnsible" It's funny, they won't sign off on "shipper load and count" but other notes they often ignore.

[yoopr]

Drive a couple of miles ahead of where your truck actually is.

Always watch for brake lights way ahead of you when normally they wouldn't be used.

in winter when someone is passing you watch for spray coming up from their tandems. If there isn't a Spray you may be on ice.

[teamster]

Originally Posted by Trucker4Life

Hmmm. That one is going to catch some flames...come on guys, let it go and don't hijack the thread. Read about the CB on another thread.

It was not a hijack and it was not just about the cb. Notice the first part of the post. The cb just went along with the slow down in bad weather. When I first started out in bad weather there was always someone on the radio talking trash and it made me nervous.
Don't catch "Road Rage." Remember, if another driver (4 wheeler or truck) pisses you off, you should have left 2 min earlier or later. No matter how mad you get, it will not affect the other driver!

[classicxl]

slow down in bad weather never speed down the mountain

[evertruckerr]

When your done fueling at the Truck Stop, PULL FORWARD!

After pulling forward, don't consider this your personal parking space for the next half hour (or more).

If you do use this as your personal parking space, and the driver behind you politely asks you to move after being more than patient and you go into an incoherent and uncalled for tirade, don't be too surprised when you find an extra padlock on your trailer door when you get to your receiver.

Damn, that was a good padlock too.

[yoopr]

When your done fueling at the Truck Stop, PULL FORWARD!

AMEN!!!!!!
Plus don't go and take a shower or go to restaurant when you're still at the Pumps :P

[evertruckerr]

tndieselgrl wrote:

Turn off your CB while backing. People will talk trash, and even the best of us don't always make it into the hole in the first try. Some of the worlds best backers need to pull out and try again sometimes.

I'm going to have to disagree with this one. As a matter of face, I suggest you make it a point to turn your CB on whenever you are backing. Why! because if you are about to back into something or someone, there is a good chance you will here a warning on the CB before you hear a crunch.

I'm willing to deal with some trash talk if it saves someone else's fender and my driving record.

Any time I see someone backing and am in a position to give relevant information such as distance and clearance, I do. And I appreciate anyone who is willing to keep an eye out for me when I'm backing.

There are actually still drivers out there who are willing to help each other out. Make that the number one suggestion.

[Mr. Ford95]

You guys joke about Rickll's checking for your partner before you leave, but that happened several times with drivers at Southland Corp out of their Fredericksburg, VA terminal. One was left 300 miles from home up in PA in just his skivvies one Feburary. His partner had no idea until he got back to the terminal and dispatch asked him if he lost something around 2 am when he stopped at a mom and pop truckstop.

[evertruckerr]

Here's a tip I didn't think was necessary.

DON'T get out of your truck in your "skivvies" without letting your co-driver know.




Mr. Ford95 wrote:

One was left 300 miles from home up in PA in just his skivvies one February

Does this strike anybody else as odd. Anyone who gets out of a truck in his "skivvies" in February(or any other time) deserves to be left behind.

Kind of reminds me of a recurring dream I've had since my grade school days.

[hitman]

Originally Posted by Mr. Ford95

You guys joke about Rickll's checking for your partner before you leave, but that happened several times with drivers at Southland Corp out of their Fredericksburg, VA terminal. One was left 300 miles from home up in PA in just his skivvies one Feburary.

Not sure if I want to hear the details of that story.