Comments By EricGuvNC

GREETINGS and SALUTATIONS Spoonerist,

WELCOME ABOARD!!

It's WONDERFUL READING your exploits!

I'm a semi-experienced Driver having been Observing The Reality since early '99.

I dig your linguistics! Illuminating as well entertaining!

Never dealt with Over-Size Loads (Obstructed Sight Lesson), just standard and spread-axle 48' & 53' Skateboard (Flatbed) and Dry Van.

Name on Truck: little importance. Driver in Truck: Major (or General) importance.

States i never visited: Montana North Dakota Oregon South Dakota Vermont Washington

I'm based in North Carolina at Greensboro (which is, like most Cities, losing the Green to Industrialization). My FIRST Long Haul was with a Skateboard Company in South Carolina (Bulldog Hiway Express). Running a Cornbinder (International) with a 10 speed non auto, pulling a 53' spread-axle. Trainer and I went to Pocatello, ID., with a "hot load" (they're all hot loads/hot freight).* That was FUN and we were arguing the entire trip out and back about when who was gonna drive. (That was when we were still coloring Comic Books [Paper Logs]). He told me "You'll have no problem in Trucking since You just wanna Get 'er Done". That's been MY Philosophy: get close to or onsite at the shipper or receiver as conditions permit. *(side note: I drove a few years for a Company called HOT FREIGHT EXPRESS where I liked it better with the E out of freight) Only stop for essentials: Food, Fuel, Toilet, Sleep and of course Repairs. Food: Carry ample supply. (i carried about 30 pounds, mostly canned and dry bulk that wasn't refrigerated.) Fuel: at 1/2 tank (if you believe gauge) or 700-800 miles from last Fuel. (tried to have full tanks b4 loading) Toilet: Preferably not some Off/On Ramp. (emergencies exist especially in Desert and Mountain terrains) Sleep: When/Where feasible. Repairs: sometimes repairs occur where one doesn't wanna be, but such is of The Adventures in Trucking. A few times in my consistent Training, I've "hooked" some trailers to discover that the tug test is best confirmed by "eyes on the prize" instead of "tug test", pulling forward and turning, to drop the trailer, and spend time cranking in low gear. It's been most enjoyable when Trailer was M-T however a few times LDD. NEVER did damage to ANY Landing Gear. Last week I was dropping a trailer: pulled release, disconnected air/electric, got in cab, "did I roll the Legs?", got out, confirmed a NO. Such was the result of not following PROCEDURE; Roll Legs, Pull Pin, Disconnect Lines. YOU'LL DO WELL IN YOUR ADVENTURES!! There is NO LOAD So Hot It Has To Cool off In A Ditch! CHEERS!!

GREETINGS ALL,

Used to run a C. B. in whatever Truck I drove whether it was Company or Personal install. Tried that "portable C. B. setup" and retired it.

Last 2 years OTR (April '15 to April '17) I had no operational C. B. due to "I just didn't bother to replace the broken (Fire)Stick" and C.B. traffic wasn't worth the Constant Bashing.

Was running mainly I-85 from NC to Hotlanta, then 20 to DFW Airport area. weekly turns. Other route: I-40 to little rock then 30 to DFW Airport area and back or on 20 thru Hotlanta. NEVER had a problem with Traffic even when Clear/Icy/Snowy/Torrential Rain because I was alloted Enough Travel Time so I was afforded "waiting time".

I started Driving OTR in 2000, when C.B. was King and we could barely get a word in due to all the Chattering. Parked Up at Truckstops, Communication was GREAT as was help getting into slots, All Night Long where the OFF switch was engaged for "west and wewaxation, heh, heh, heh".

"THINGS" bought and sold on 19, like Left Handed Automatic Revolvers, Cans of Wh**p A**, Cans of Squat, Jake Brake Shoes and Fluid, Muffler Bearings, Strifoam Fuel Containers and other assorted oddities. - - - - Slip Seat Local operations: IF there's a installed C.B., i might turn it on, but most times I leave it OFF as hearing the excessively pointless profanity and negativity, ain't worth it for a Bear Trap/Traffic Report.

CHEERS!!

October for me:

13 lights replaced

7 mud flaps replaced

6 flat trailer tires

3 batteries replaced

2 drive tires replaced

20 wild goose chases for empty trailers that didn't exist.

Every day seemed like a challenge. Most were a challenge due to poor maintenance, poor upkeep, and drivers leaving the problem for the next

Copy that.

How many Glad Hand Gaskets had you replaced in those manuevers?

GREETINGS ALL,

I noticed no mention of the easily seen activity of not properly securing Trailer Doors (Barn/Swing). MANY Drivers "get in a hurry" and can easily have a non secured Trailer and then Seal applied. Please Drivers as well Yard Jockeys, Look UP to be certain Trailer Doors are properly secured prior to relocation.

Loads have been and will be refused due to improper securement and such goes DIRECTLY on the current Driver. - - - - Carrying and Actually USING a Tire Pressure Guage will help prevent the "waiting for Road Repair". Having as well a 50 foot Air Line (which attaches to Tractor Emergency [RED] Line) helps especially for Drop-n-Hooks. Air Lines come in RED, and Hi-Vis GREEN. Cheap Insurance!!

For Those of US that have the Proper Tools and Skills to "adjust Brakes", please DO proceed. You may also discover things going south like Air Line connections and components and Electrical (A.B.S.). Good time to also check for structural integrity of Trailer Framework (Cracks, Splits, Missing Bits, Potential Failures).

Shiny Side UP, Greasy Side DOWN! There is no load so hot it has to cool off in a ditch, upside down or in water. CHEERS!!

Sometimes, them thar Elder Folks (like ME), caint git the bleedin' Clutch Pedal to operate the way our legs prefer, so floating is the only way up and down other than stoppin' and backin'.

For all the Trucking I do, which is almost consistently parked, I no care for "autoshaft". Eye jist toler8 et.

>>when I was rolling OTR from 2011-2017, I used (separately) 2 trucks with autoshift AND Clutch Pedals. That was SOOO MUCH BETTER than the clutch free versions. In essence nowadays, all Automatic Trucks are simply LARGE CARS!

CHEERS!!

Jamie, if you go to manual, you better make sure you can go back to AMT if you don't synchronize with the manual. No pun intended.

EXCELLENT!!

For the final few years before getting "off the road" (4-5 day turns), I was doing a dedicated run NC-GA-TX turn and I was driving mostly Daytime. - - - - I DID A LOT OF CONVERTING DAYS AND NIGHTS in the first Trucking Time Period (2000-2011) because most LARGE Freight Companies used BROKErs (Load Boards). Interesting "Schedules". Best allowed time period (0001-0600) was being able to "nose into a spot" at ANY Truck stop for a nap. That was a bit before the Bucking Bronco of Electronic Logging (unless one was with WERNER).

CHEERS!!

SKATEBOARDING 101:

Since I already had a Valid Class A and wasn't beholden to any Company:

I took the Flatbed Securing Lessons in N. Charleston, SC the beginning of 2000. I had ZERO PROBLEM climbing on ANY Load except of course mushy stuff and Coils. I treated Skateboard Loads like Mountains: most are solid with loose parts. Pick a Route.

I had NO problems with Loaders, Loads and Securing. My problem was Tarps, so i didn't last very long with Skateboards because I would not Tarp some Loads, much to the chagrin and anguish of Dispatchers + Company Rules, and I refused to Tarp Treated Wood. Untreated Wood and Coils, no problem.

I ventured off to Dry Vans.

CHEERS!!

I noticed being up north that a lot of trucks were pulling double 53’ trailers are the laws different in different states?

Howdy Donna,

Ever heard about 57' Trailers? That had or have a 18' Tail Swing with Tandems Forward AND they used to be "only Legal in 8 States" (when I learned about them, early last Decade). I no recall seeing any 57's at Shippers/Receivers this Decade.

CHEERS!!

Old Dui's Paully,

Getting Hired with 4 DUI CONVICTIONS over 22 years out may or not be a problem. Most Companies want NO DUI CONVICTION in previous 7-10 years, HOWEVER, D.U.I. convictions usually reside on ones' Driving Record for EVERMORE.

My LAST DUI conviction in a 4 wheel vehicle on a Class C License was August '91 and it's still listed on State Driving Record AND there have been some Well Known Large Carriers and Smaller Carriers that stated through their Safety Departments: "ANY such Alcohol or Drug Conviction, regardless of time since, renders applicant non compliant."

CHEERS!!