Tips, Tricks, And Techniques For Rookie Drivers

Hey, I'm going to be releasing an article tomorrow with a bunch of these tips in it. Hurry up and get your tips and tricks in now so we can include them! Great stuff!

There is one I recall:

When dropping an empty in the packed snow/ice; use the differential lock-out (only engage this when fully stopped) so both drives are applying tractive force and override traction control so the wheels will spin. I have "never" gotten stuck using this technique. I know...never say "never".

Here's mine..........now that you triggered a thought for winter........

Whenever you're going to park for the night or drop a trailer in below freezing temperatures, drag the trailer brakes lightly as you go through the parking lot for a few moments to heat them up enough to evaporate any water that might be sitting on them. That will help prevent the brake shoes from freezing to the drums overnight.

We need something for summer, being July and all.

Don't lick the asphalt during the afternoon anywhere in Death Valley. It's super hot and tastes terrible!

I didn't re read the thread.(bad rainy bad).. But I knew a driver who was REALLY nervous going through the toll booth up north that are kinda narrow and don't have the express pass.

Take the far right toll booth made for "wide loads". It will be less stressful in the beginning.

Ok we've published our article:

Drivers Share Their Best Tips, Tricks, And Secrets For Life On The Road

Anytime you guys and gals have more tips we'll add them here and publish more of them in the future. Awesome job!

If a steer tire blows avoid instinct. NEVER brake, instead press the accelerator to the floor until you have control, then ease up on the gas. Law of physics, the more forward momentum you have the less subject you are to sideways forces. Should only take 3-4 seconds and you won't increase speed much, but the increase in momentum will help keep you straight.

When installing load locks, put the upper one on first, then use the other one as a hammer or battering ram, and smack both ends a couple of times to wedge it firmly against the freight. Then install the lower one, and give it a couple of good, swift kicks at either end to wedge it in place. Your load locks will stay put, no matter how rough the roads are.

When installing load locks, put the upper one on first, then use the other one as a hammer or battering ram, and smack both ends a couple of times to wedge it firmly against the freight. Then install the lower one, and give it a couple of good, swift kicks at either end to wedge it in place. Your load locks will stay put, no matter how rough the roads are.

Darn are you a trucker or a kick boxer?

Dont give uo. dont quit. talk to your fleet manager , safety, road assist dept to figure out how to work things out.

too many new drivers just quick and bad mouth a company instead of asking questions and using resources.

After finished unloading at the shipper , crawl up in the now empty trailer and do a good visual inspection. While you're in there, pick up the debris left behind. If you discover any damage, send in a Qualcomm message right then, before you leave.