Watch Your Wagon... G-town

As a reminder to anyone who follows TT for advice there isn't anyone who contributes more to drivers than G Town. Some might not always agree with him but his advice is always right on. I'm sure that some who read the forums do not agree with G Town but he will never steer you wrong.

Thank you. At least not purposely.

Donna wrote:

G-Town told me that when I first started out. It’s really stuck with me. Just today I was in the pilot in Shelbyville which is tiny. I was actually telling myself out loud “ watch your wagon”.

That is awesome and makes me very happy.

I still do the same thing...and believe me when I say this; the moment you take your eyes off the mirrors when executing a tight turn or during close-quarter maneuvering, there is risk of a mishap. Vigilance.

Safe travels.

We have a customer in Detroit that actually put it in their safety video we have to watch, “ Do not hit the power pole”. That one has been hit countless times.

I fully agree with Brett, G is a basic staple around here. He can be a little brash at times, but we all have that ability. Bottom line is he is correct and tells it straight. Thanks G👍

Juicebox, you make a very important point in your post. You were focus on what was next & not on what was happening at that present moment. That's exactly where I screwed up 2X. The first one i was focused on setting up for my, thinking about whether or not to stay at the terminal that night, yada, yada, then I here the crushing of a parked tractor's nose clip. On the driver's side no less. My ego was crushed!

The second time, I was at the tightest pilot I've ever been to in Rotterdam, NY. Pulling up along a truck parked on my left to pull ahead of him & do a blindside back that was straighter than backing from the sight side. As I turned the wheel to straighten out, my trailer kicked left & scraped his deer guard. I was ready to dish out a couple hundred bucks until I parked my truck & got out to find him talking to his boss who wanted a police report. Really, for scraping a deer guard? Oh well.

That's why I'm glad I spoke to a trainer that told me that he drills his students to always have their head on a swivel when the wheel is turning. Glad you lesson wasn't as serious as mine.

Side not: When you're loading the cars on the carrier, do you have to take the weight of the vehicle into account when you figure out what order to load them?

Side not: When you're loading the cars on the carrier, do you have to take the weight of the vehicle into account when you figure out what order to load them?

Absolutely, when hauling big units like 2500s with 1500s or what have you. Weight and height are the biggest factors. You can get yourself in trouble when hauling big units and trying to load your truck for the stops rather than height and weight.

When you have smaller sedans it's really not much a concern. Just load your units for the stops you have.

If you have a straight hit you'll be unloading all units at one drop and it's no problem. Just load your truck to keep your weight and height down.

I hope all that makes sense!

Side not: When you're loading the cars on the carrier, do you have to take the weight of the vehicle into account when you figure out what order to load them?

Absolutely, when hauling big units like 2500s with 1500s or what have you. Weight and height are the biggest factors. You can get yourself in trouble when hauling big units and trying to load your truck for the stops rather than height and weight.

When you have smaller sedans it's really not much a concern. Just load your units for the stops you have.

If you have a straight hit you'll be unloading all units at one drop and it's no problem. Just load your truck to keep your weight and height down.

I hope all that makes sense!

Yup! Understood. Thanks

I was just at that pilot in Rotterdam last week! 😂 It totally sucks!

BUMP! Oldie, but GOODIE!

I just typed 'watch your wagon' for a pal of mine on FB .. (yeah, face palm I know....) and sent him a few great threads; trying to get him to sign up in here, too. He's in his 60's and is 'forum'fraid' ... LoL!

(For the 'new guys..' that may not know, G'town's mantra!)

~ Anne ~

ps: BK, you were very instrumental in this thread!!!

G Town never gave me advice on sliding my spread axles. Still waiting 😂