Swifties, Beware Of The 14 Ft Trailer!!
Topic 16392 | Page 1
Wow.. OK now I can totally understand when swift hits a bridge.
Why wouldn't the numbers start differently? Our intermodal trailers start with PRIZ then the number so we can't make a mistake like that
Intermodal:
Transporting freight using two or more transportation modes. An example would be freight that is moved by truck from the shipper's dock to the rail yard, then placed on a train to the next rail yard, and finally returned to a truck for delivery to the receiving customer.
In trucking when you hear someone refer to an intermodal job they're normally talking about hauling shipping containers to and from the shipyards and railyards.
Wow.. OK now I can totally understand when swift hits a bridge.
Why wouldn't the numbers start differently? Our intermodal trailers start with PRIZ then the number so we can't make a mistake like that
Well, the vast majority of our trailers are 13'6. So most Swifties hitting bridges just aren't paying attention. And I know at least some, probably most, of the 14 ft trailers are labeled as such. I was mainly upset because this one wasn't. The code is that the trailer number starts with 14, but that means nothing to a brand new Swift driver if he's not been informed. I didn't even know we had 14 footers until the first time I picked one up.
Driver feedback matters here at Swift, so I'll "voice my choice" and see if the powers that be do anything about it.
Intermodal:
Transporting freight using two or more transportation modes. An example would be freight that is moved by truck from the shipper's dock to the rail yard, then placed on a train to the next rail yard, and finally returned to a truck for delivery to the receiving customer.
In trucking when you hear someone refer to an intermodal job they're normally talking about hauling shipping containers to and from the shipyards and railyards.
Swift trailers starting with 4 are 4 axle. If it starts with 99 it's been refurbished but it should still work for most customers. However, those 99's are not all 101" inside width. Don't accept the word of office staff that all trailers are 101". I learned the hard way.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Swift trailers starting with 4 are 4 axle. If it starts with 99 it's been refurbished but it should still work for most customers. However, those 99's are not all 101" inside width. Don't accept the word of office staff that all trailers are 101". I learned the hard way.
Thanks Rob. Another driver told me we also have 57' trailers. I think they start with 57? Don't remember.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Swift trailers starting with 4 are 4 axle.
Have you actually seen these? I've only seen the tri axle trailers we have. I didnt know we have 4 axle trailers
I think most of them are in Sumner. I only mentioned it because if your looking for an empty and you can only see the front, it will save a trip through the mud puddles. I didn't know about the 57' though.
I found this on Trucker's Report about the 57' trailers:
Apparently they start with "75"
Came across this issue in Washington when a shipper only used 14' trailers. Found only 1 in their yard of many with this picture. I think they should all have this.
Shipper:
The customer who is shipping the freight. This is where the driver will pick up a load and then deliver it to the receiver or consignee.
Also found this in Sumner
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I'm sure you seasoned Swift drivers already know about this, so this post is more for the newer folks like me.
Swift trailers starting with "14" are 14 ft high trailers, not the usual 13'6". I accidentally picked one of these up in the Columbus terminal a few months ago and didn't realize my mistake until someone pointed it out to me. But that one was marked "14 ft trailer" right across the front. Oops. Luckily I didn't hit any bridges.
The loaded trailer I picked up last night did NOT have the height indicated ANYWHERE on the outside of the trailer. The only reason I knew it was 14 ft was because of my previous experience picking up one of these. The height is indicated on the inside, but I think it's totally unacceptable that it's not indicated anywhere on the outside, and this info isn't in the driver "quick notes" they give us, either.
Grr. I wasn't gonna rant. I'm still irritated about it apparently. When I cool down a little I'll ask safety about it.
But yeah, don't go under a 13'6" bridge if your trailer number is 141360.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.