Tips, Tricks, And Techniques For Rookie Drivers

GET THE CAT APP for scaling your loads!!! Hands down, the most useful thing on my phone!

Normal weigh procedure - roll onto scale, scream at person at the other end of the speaker, roll off scale, park somewhere other than in front of the scale (parking can take 20 minutes or more depending on time of day/night), walk inside, wait in line, give company info/truck-trailer info/credit card info/etc. to clerk, wait for printer to print, finally get a look at your axle weights. Back out to your truck, slide tandems if necessary, roll onto scale for re-weigh, park, repeat entire process - end result is lots and lots of wasted time.

Scaling with CAT app on phone (after downloading the free app, put in your Company Name, truck number, type of freight you haul, company credit card info and your email address) - roll onto scale as you fire up the app, it determines what scale you're on (verified by glancing at the scale number on the speaker panel), change (only) the trailer number, accept the $11 charge to the credit card, and BOOM! you instantly know your weights!!!! Pull forward off the scale, quickly adjust tandems as necessary, drive around and re-scale if required (app recognizes a re-scale and only charges $2 bucks), and BOOM! you know your weights (because you paid at the scale, they reveal your weights instantly on the app). Drive off the scale, parking right in front of the scale if not real busy, run inside and voila! your scale tickets are already signed and white pages removed. You can often grab them off the counter without even waiting in line. Best Part --- If your company doesn't require a hard copy or a scanned copy, you can avoid going inside the truck stop altogether. By previously providing your email address to the app, you will get an email with an attached .pdf file of your scale ticket. Keep the email for a week or so, then delete as necessary. I always run in and get the scale ticket(s) to scan in with my paperwork for the load and also because I like the 'baseball cards' that come with the scale tickets! (I haven't asked my Company, but they may already have a scale ticket delivered along with the charge to the company credit card.)

This is absolutely the most useful app on my phone and turns scaling into a 3 minute process instead of an hour-long ordeal.....

Bumping this thread. Another great one.

Errol, I saw somewhere online to get a piece of galvanized or black steel pipe. A 10 or 12 inch long nipple threaded on both ends. I'm guessing 1 1/4 inch and buy a cap to put on 1 end. Slide it in the hole and the cap keeps it from sliding through. I'm gonna pick one up myself next time I'm home!

Yes!
Galvanized pipe will probably hold up to the trailer banging on it. Thanks for the inspiration!

The pin hole is 2". (that's why I mentioned a 2" washer above.) So 1-1/4 or 1-1/2, whichever is available. The length makes it easy to slide in and it'll stay in. Going to Lowes tomorrow!

I tried pipe and it crushed. At Tractor Supply I bought one 1" x 3" grade 8 bolt, two 1" grade 8 flat washers and two 1" grade 8 nuts.

I tightened the washers in place with the first nut. (Used wrenches in the store.) The other nut is hand tight. On most of our trailers, the nut will fit through the hole. On the one in the pic the end nut holds it in place.

Newbie drivers this is for you

Thank you Rainy for starting this thread, and everyone who contributed.

This may well be the one of the most informational threads here, I definitely learned some useful stuff.

Bumping this thread. Another great one.

Thanks both of you!

Do I look smarter? (I sure feel smarter!)

😀

Newbie drivers this is for you

Thanks Rainey. Almost one!

"One tip I learned on my own if you ever struggle with getting the tandems to the legal weight I always use duct tape to help mark the hole I'm backing the pin into."

Gosh darn can't believe I hadn't thought of this.lol Thank you!

Best thread I've seen here, thanks Rainy D!

Newbie drivers this is for you

Thanks Rainey. Almost one!

Figured I should link these two threads.

Since youz guyz liked this one so.much here is another

Noob Questions You Have but Are Afraid to Ask