Truck Stop Follies And Assorted Stupidity

I'm starting a new thread dealing with idiotic, preventable things you may have seen occur at truck stops, rest areas, or shippers/receivers.

Backing fiascos, stand-offs, loads that shifted, bridges that were too low (or trucks that were too tall), etc. G-Town constantly stresses, "Watch Your Wagon!", and I always say, "Don't make it onto the TV news."

Post any pictures and the story behind it.

I will start with this backing fiasco from last week. This was in Texas at a truck stop. The culprit was attempting to back in, got his setup wrong, and clobbered this poor guy hard when then the trailer swung around. The victim was parked, taking a break when this went down. He was towed away after dark.

Saw this guy trying a U Turn in the middle of the isle when there was plenty of room ahead for him to do it. Or he could have just driven through the fuel island and came back around.

The rear of the trailer was close to another truck. Took several minutes and some spotters to help him.

If you never seen it, google 11 foot 8 bridge or the can opener bridge. The videos are absolutely great. It’s an old low bridge in Durham NC. I guy that has an office next to it installed cameras and has a website for the crashes. Over 150 since 2008

I'm starting a new thread dealing with idiotic, preventable things you may have seen occur at truck stops, rest areas, or shippers/receivers.

Backing fiascos, stand-offs, loads that shifted, bridges that were too low (or trucks that were too tall), etc. G-Town constantly stresses, "Watch Your Wagon!", and I always say, "Don't make it onto the TV news."

Post any pictures and the story behind it.

I will start with this backing fiasco from last week. This was in Texas at a truck stop. The culprit was attempting to back in, got his setup wrong, and clobbered this poor guy hard when then the trailer swung around. The victim was parked, taking a break when this went down. He was towed away after dark.

I would have guessed he drove straight into that cab, holy hell.

Great thread idea.

Hopefully it will be a teaching aid.

I was almost on here today for myself. I went to the wrong address for a shipper (actually across the street), then almost got stuck as a twisted pretzel trying to get out of their lot. I ended up needing two spotters, and had to slide the tandems all the way forward to make my backing U Turn in a tight space.

I'm starting a new thread dealing with idiotic, preventable things you may have seen occur at truck stops, rest areas, or shippers/receivers.

Backing fiascos, stand-offs, loads that shifted, bridges that were too low (or trucks that were too tall), etc. G-Town constantly stresses, "Watch Your Wagon!", and I always say, "Don't make it onto the TV news."

Post any pictures and the story behind it.

I will start with this backing fiasco from last week. This was in Texas at a truck stop. The culprit was attempting to back in, got his setup wrong, and clobbered this poor guy hard when then the trailer swung around. The victim was parked, taking a break when this went down. He was towed away after dark.

That amount of damage just amazes me; I don’t back up with near enough speed or momentum to cause that much destruction.

Guy told me the other driver was just swinging around, and the trailer got way too close, obviously.

Tremendous looking amount of damage for sure.

Remember truck hoods are fiber glass for the most part so it doesn't take much to destroy them.

Got one!

Driving on 40 in NC. Trucker pulls up next to me and starts waving and honking. He has no CB and trying to talk with the windows down is just too loud.

I figured this guy was signaling that something on the load had come undone or something of that nature and waved back "thanks" as I began easing off to a wide shoulder. Much to my surprise, he begins slowing and pulling off in front of me. Now I'm worried something bounced off and smacked his truck?

I hop out and begin his way while he gets out and...begins opening the cargo doors on the trailer. Curiously I wander closer, eager to see the black market discounts I may have offered to me today.

He shows me pallets of the Truly hard Seltzer drinks stacked up two by two with air bags in between and explains he has no fastening system for rearward motion. He can't get a hold of his company and has been trying to flag down random flatbedders for further ideas.

So I'm looking and not seeing much as far as ratchet equipment, all the hooks are too large or mishapped to fit any of the slotted frame. I laughed to myself thinking this is the first time I've ever looked inside a dry van.

He asks me for some bungee straps and I told him there's no way those would do anything except lighten my truck a few ounces after I gave them to him. Then I just casually asked why his company never gave him load locks.

The lightbulb lit up and his eyes went wide. He suddenly returned with a pair of nice load locks and slapped them into place. I just...watched at that point, still a bit shocked.

Turns out he was a flatbedder before and just forgot.

Imagine flailing your arms at trucks for a while, trying to get them to pull over, then showing them the problem only to realize you just completely forgot about the only pieces of gear on your truck for rearward securement.

About 20 miles later I passed a load lock in the middle of the highway. Hope that kid made it to wherever.

The lightbulb lit up and his eyes went wide.

Turns out he was a flatbedder before and just forgot.

That explains it all right there!

They talk a good game, but when it all comes out, not the sharpest knives in the drawer!

Right, Old School? Turtle?