Location:
American Fork, UT
Driving Status:
Experienced Driver
Social Link:
No Bio Information Was Filled Out. Must be a secret.
Posted: 3 weeks, 5 days ago
View Topic:
Trailer tires locking up during turn?
How long had you been driving at speed prior to the intersection slow down, stop, and getting back up to speed?
How long had you been pulling this particular trailer?
Was it loaded or empty?
I had been driving for about an hour. I had just picked up a D&H load from Schreiber in Richland Center, WI, and I was southbound on the US-61 truck bypass near Lancaster, WI, turning left onto US-61 S.
I was stopped for 2-3 minutes waiting for traffic to clear before making the turn. Got up to my typical 10 mph to make the turn when I saw the truck coming from the North around the curve so I started to accelerate through the turn to clear the intersection. It locked up after I started to accelerate beyond the 10 mph, though I don't know exactly at what speed because I was focused on my mirrors and what the truck and my trailer were doing.
This is actually the second time something like this has happened to me.
The first event happened probably about a year ago. In that instance I was also loaded, had been driving for 2-3 hours at freeway speeds, westbound on I-80. I pulled off the freeway at Sydney, Nebraska, heading to Love's to take a 30. Stopped at the stop sign, just long enough to come to a complete stop and verify it was clear, before making the left turn.
In this instance I wasn't in a rush and was making the usual 10-12 mph turn before the trailer brakes kicked in about halfway through the turn. But it didn't full-on lock up as the most recent experience did, it just noticeably slowed me down a couple seconds until completing the turn.
In both cases I called maintenance, described the experience, and asked what was going on but they had no clue.
I'm just as clueless and my only guess is maybe there's some kind of safety 'feature' in the truck or trailer going off. Much like the collision avoidance system that'll go off if it sees the shadow of an overpass or road construction materials in a construction zone while going through a curve and it thinks you're about to collide and so it automatically starts screaming at you while applying the brakes, much to your chagrin. Whatever the case, it seems to think you're going to fast through a turn and kicks in the trailer brakes to slow you down.
In a maybe slightly related vein, I've noticed on occasion when at speed on highways and freeways, when going through a curve (even gentle ones), sometimes the trailer seems to try to slow down of its own accord. It's hard to describe, but I can feel it stutter or lurch for a split second, like it doesn't want to be going at that speed in a curve. I could even be going well below the posted speed limit, or what I feel is a safe speed for the curve, when I 'feel' it happening. It's a very subtle feeling, but I can feel it nonetheless - like something is tapping on the brakes for a fraction of a second. I haven't ever reported or asked about this since I'm not even sure how to describe it or what I'd even be asking about. It's just... strange.
Posted: 4 weeks ago
View Topic:
Trailer tires locking up during turn?
The other day I came to a T junction and was making a left hand turn. Cross-traffic has the right of way and doesn't stop. After coming to a complete stop and waiting for traffic to clear I initiated the left hand turn. I usually accelerate to about 10 mph to make a turn, which I did this time as well, but as I was entering the intersection I spotted another semi coming from the right around a blind curve in the road (visibility of about 1500 feet or so). As I was already halfway through the turn and into the intersection then I was fully committed, so I started to accelerate further than what I normally do - probably up to 15 mph or so - when all of a sudden my trailer tires lock up (or at least the driver side), start smoking and rubber is starting to be laid on the road. I hit my hazards to let the other driver know there's a problem (as if he can't see it already) and start applying the brakes, which oddly enough releases the tires from being locked up.
It's as if the trailer had a mind of its own and thought that I was making the turn too fast or something and decided to lock up until it got back down to a more reasonable speed.
Has anyone else experienced that? And what would cause this? It definitely was a potentially serious hazardous situation. One that I would love to avoid in the future.
Posted: 2 months ago
View Topic:
Article: Why Walmart Pays Its Truck Drivers 6 Figures
Thanks Turtle for your feedback and insights.
I too have been thinking about applying for Walmart in due course. I have a few questions.
As I understand it you have to have 30 months of commercial driving experience before you can apply? Is that firm, or do they take other things into consideration as well?
On the one hand it seems like if Walmart is wanting to increase their Private Fleet (and has a program of training their own employees with no prior truck driving experience for that very purpose) they would require less experience for applicants, but on the other hand I can understand wanting applicants with a proven track record of at least a couple years. The reason I ask is because I work for Roehl, a company well-known for their high standards in safety within the industry, which seems well aligned with what Walmart is looking for, but I've only been with them for 20 months. Of that time I have also been a driver trainer (requiring even higher standards within the company) for just about a year, helping to train 10 new drivers. Just wondering if any of that would be considered, or if I still have to wait a full 30 months? Would love to get onboarded asap, if possible.
Followup question to that is, assuming it is 30 months of experience, what is counted towards that? I first became employed with Roehl in May of '22 through their GYCDL program, graduated and entered phase 2 (OTR with a trainer) in June, completed that and went solo starting in July. So would I first be able to apply in November, December, or January?
Final question (for now) is I hear we can use another Walmart driver as a reference when applying - can I use you for that purpose?
Thanks again for your help and insights!
I suppose I could have found the answers (at least a couple of them) by reading your diary.
Here is Turtle' diary for those interested: Turtle' Walmart Diary
Posted: 2 months ago
View Topic:
Article: Why Walmart Pays Its Truck Drivers 6 Figures
Thanks Turtle for your feedback and insights.
I too have been thinking about applying for Walmart in due course. I have a few questions.
As I understand it you have to have 30 months of commercial driving experience before you can apply? Is that firm, or do they take other things into consideration as well?
On the one hand it seems like if Walmart is wanting to increase their Private Fleet (and has a program of training their own employees with no prior truck driving experience for that very purpose) they would require less experience for applicants, but on the other hand I can understand wanting applicants with a proven track record of at least a couple years. The reason I ask is because I work for Roehl, a company well-known for their high standards in safety within the industry, which seems well aligned with what Walmart is looking for, but I've only been with them for 20 months. Of that time I have also been a driver trainer (requiring even higher standards within the company) for just about a year, helping to train 10 new drivers. Just wondering if any of that would be considered, or if I still have to wait a full 30 months? Would love to get onboarded asap, if possible.
Followup question to that is, assuming it is 30 months of experience, what is counted towards that? I first became employed with Roehl in May of '22 through their GYCDL program, graduated and entered phase 2 (OTR with a trainer) in June, completed that and went solo starting in July. So would I first be able to apply in November, December, or January?
Final question (for now) is I hear we can use another Walmart driver as a reference when applying - can I use you for that purpose?
Thanks again for your help and insights!
Posted: 2 months, 2 weeks ago
View Topic:
A New Truckers App from TT: What Would You Like To See?
I'd like to see it integrate with loyalty rewards cards/apps. For example if I need a shower it could see how many shower credits I have available at what truck stops, see which ones are busy, and offer suggestions along my route. Or even find facilities with free showers along my route (e.g. Ohio Travel Plazas).
Another idea is fuel levels and prices. I have 1/2 tank, find me the best cash price for diesel along my route. And you can set different parameters, like I get a 3% discount with company A and 5% discount with company B, etc. It would also take into consideration tax rates for various States, and other variables such as fuels treated for winter, etc.
Posted: 3 months ago
View Topic:
Winter Driving: Drive to Survive
511 for every state I regularly run through. Have been stuck multiple times in Wyoming due to closed roads, and this helps me see when they open back up. Make use of the live camera feeds too - just because they open the roads doesn't mean they're safe to travel!
Windy.com app. This one is incredibly useful, not just for wind speed and direction, but it also has a full suite of other live and forecasted weather data available for free. During the winter months I especially love using the "New Snow" layer to quickly see at a glance how much snow accumulation is expected nationwide in the next 12 hours, 24 hours, 3 days and 5 days. Absolutely invaluable!
I have another weather app I love and use regularly called "Trucking Weather, Traffic & Road Conditions," but unfortunately I can't recommend it as it's no longer available on the app store.
Posted: 1 year, 8 months ago
View Topic:
Hey Thomas, congratulations on passing your exam! Glad to hear things are going well for you in phase 2!
Just a quick update on where I am... I'm almost done with the first of 5 'solos', a 1600 mile run from Idaho to Illinois. Since it's such a long haul they'll count it as 2 loads. I'm fine with driving and backing, just would like more practice with check-ins, paperwork, workflow, trip-planning, etc., so I'm hoping the next ones will be shorter loads so I can get that extra practice in. That, and I'm ready to be done with phase 2...
Posted: 1 year, 8 months ago
View Topic:
Just a funny trucking picture to brighten your day
"Can't see the FedEx for the Trees"
This is how Fed Ex camouflages their trucks so they don’t get hit by a UPS drone strike.
Ha!
That reminds me of a joke...
What do you get if you merge UPS with FedEx?
...
Fed-UPS!
No? OK, I'll see myself out...
Posted: 3 weeks, 3 days ago
View Topic:
Just a funny trucking picture to brighten your day
It looks to me like a yard jockey is at the helm. My best guess is some kind of backing maneuver. I've seen where if someone is trying to back up an empty trailer while the trailer brakes are set (i.e. sliding your tandems with the pins still locked) it'll cause the trailer itself to lift up a foot or two. Maybe something like that happened and the trailer came to rest on top of the pole? *shrug*