Better pay as much attention to those tandems being locked as you do the fifth wheel being locked. I've seen tandems break out the back end of the trailer and leave a big mess and a big ticket fine for the x-driver more than a few times.
If you can't remember, make a list and keep it on the sun visor:
LAPS/PALS
BOL
Trailer inspection
Macros sent in
Trailer sealed/padlocked
Tandems set
Tire pressures/mudflaps/airbrakes/license plate/lights operate/registration
Hey Packrat,
What is the "LAPS / PALS" line on your checklist referencing?
Landing Gear
Air Lines
King Pin lock completely in the fifth wheel
A set of axles spaced close together, legally defined as more than 40 and less than 96 inches apart by the USDOT. Drivers tend to refer to the tandem axles on their trailer as just "tandems". You might hear a driver say, "I'm 400 pounds overweight on my tandems", referring to his trailer tandems, not his tractor tandems. Tractor tandems are generally just referred to as "drives" which is short for "drive axles".
A set of axles spaced close together, legally defined as more than 40 and less than 96 inches apart by the USDOT. Drivers tend to refer to the tandem axles on their trailer as just "tandems". You might hear a driver say, "I'm 400 pounds overweight on my tandems", referring to his trailer tandems, not his tractor tandems. Tractor tandems are generally just referred to as "drives" which is short for "drive axles".
Next time that happens, try to get a POV video of yourself getting slammed around, please.
Seriously, sounds like a rough week, Rob. After just having had a difficult day myself, you have my sympathy.
RD in the grand scheme of things i didnt have a real bad week, I just get so spoiled with this job that it feels like it haha. Sure it sucks picking up pallets that occasionally tip over but it gives me exercise (and I need it) but most importantly I didnt hit anything and didnt rack up any violations. At the end of the day that's most important. The stress I face is nothing like what an OTR faces. I typically have 5 or 6 routes to pick from and I usually do the same general area (minneapolis, or southern MN) unless I choose to switch it up. I very rarely deal with overnight parking and I'd say nearly every store of ours has plenty of space. So I guess what I'm getting at is I need to tell myself SUCK IT UP BUTTERCUP.
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features
Hey Packrat,
What is the "LAPS / PALS" line on your checklist referencing?
Tandems:
Tandem Axles
A set of axles spaced close together, legally defined as more than 40 and less than 96 inches apart by the USDOT. Drivers tend to refer to the tandem axles on their trailer as just "tandems". You might hear a driver say, "I'm 400 pounds overweight on my tandems", referring to his trailer tandems, not his tractor tandems. Tractor tandems are generally just referred to as "drives" which is short for "drive axles".
Tandem:
Tandem Axles
A set of axles spaced close together, legally defined as more than 40 and less than 96 inches apart by the USDOT. Drivers tend to refer to the tandem axles on their trailer as just "tandems". You might hear a driver say, "I'm 400 pounds overweight on my tandems", referring to his trailer tandems, not his tractor tandems. Tractor tandems are generally just referred to as "drives" which is short for "drive axles".
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.