I have seen people go to leave truckstops and just come to find some asshole pulled their 5thwheel loose. I can remember when Swifties and JB's used to worry about it alot.

I have also seen a guy take a ramp off of I-70 in KS....to go to the TA at "Concordia"... I think thats the one.....and he had left the interstate, and while turning left to cross over the big road to the TA....his trailer dropped off the 5th wheel onto its landing gear.

Personally, I've never had it done to me.... hope it never happens. But if I saw someone doing it to someone else.....I'm not sure if I would thump his head from behind, or call the law.....but I would make darn sure the driver knew to back up on his trailer before trying to leave.

I've seen people screw around with reefers and walk away.... I make sure the driver finds out... I've seen jerks hit other trucks and drive away.... I get their numbers and turn them in....even if I can't find the driver, I'll call his/her company and give the info to their Safety Department and make sure they know that the truck was parked... and the driver didn't see it.

Call the law...yep, I'll do that. If you're not man enough to stand up to your acts....then you deserve to get burnt as badly as can be arranged.

 

This is why when you park, you should set the trailer brakes and then either back up and or pull forward to put the jaws in a slight bind.. keeps the low lifes from playing their games... and of course make it a habit to check the position of the release handle!!!!

 

I didn't do one this morning and I hopped out of the sleeper, drew a couple of lines and pulled out of my spot in the truck stop, cutting it hard to the right. I didn't even notice that there was a truck parked to the right of me... in the blind spot, idling.


















Wanna see what happened???







So now I'm out $1000 deductible and a whole days worth of pay, about $700-800.

This is a true story and I'm ashamed it happened. I don't know why I'm posting it on here, guess I'm a glutton for punishment. All I have to say is, if you're going to talk sht on this board about what a dumass I am, do it to my face. There were no witnesses. The driver was inside taking a sht. I easily could've ran and called breakdown and told them I curbed a tire (rim was bent on my trailer and tire blown) I didn't run because that's not how I was raised. I'm honest.


Out of all the stupid truck stop accidents I've seen. I never thought I'd be involved in one, not to mention being %100 at fault.

It's always better to learn from others mistakes then being stubborn and complacent and making them on your own.

I'm going to go cry myself to sleep now.

 

Pretty hard to call you a dumbass when you admitted you mistake. :wink:

 

*edit

was frustrated when I posted that

 

If anyone doesnt do some sort of pretrip and you log it, better be prepared to explain to the DOT(if you are stopped) what exactly you pre-tripped, in the time you put on your log.

I do a walk around in the morning and have found my tandem pins and 5th wheel pulled. Some dumbass thought that maybe this co. driver doesnt do a pre-trip.........wrong.

If you dont do a pre-trip and something goes wrong you only have to blame yourself.

 

Put it this way....When is the last time you did a pre-trip that you would bet your life on?

I do a pre and post trip everyday. To me the post trip could be a real time saver especially if you happen to find a flat tire. That way you can have it fixed while you are taking your break and not while you are on the clock.

I do alot of drop and hook and I am sick and tired of being stuck with problems that the previous driver should have taken care of.

 

Well, you can add one driver to the list of those who DO conduct very thorough pre-trips!! And, yes, there are other drivers who perform them as well.

Pre-Trip is not a formality; it is part of your paycheck. if you get busted by DOT, with perhaps a few exceptions, the fines will come out of your wallett. If you break down due to a problem that could hacve been addressed while you were at a truckstop, you'll be the one left sitting on the side of the road waiting for help, on unpaid time, of course!!

 

+1

 

. . how much time do you log for pre and post trips?

A pre trip is a matter of law, not conscience and I would challenge anyone to demonstrate before a jury that you can do a thorough one in 15 minutes.

The DOT doesn't care if you were paid or not. The law says you have to do it before you put the equipment on the road.

As to the phenomena of everyone doing pre trips and noone ever seeing anyone do them, we're not all coming and going at the same time and just because you see me leave in the morning, it doesn't mean I'm just starting my day. I do them everyday and add extra checks for older trailers and heavier loads.

Add me to the list of those who have never seen a quick-dropped trailer in a public place (3 years, 350k+ miles). I did see one that only made it to the frame behind the 5th wheel . . my trainer was driving at the time.