Switching To Dry Van

So after a year of flatbed I'm becoming a door swinger due to a previous shoulder injury acting up. Any tips for pulling a van after being used to a flat?

Don't pinch your fingers in the door, and becareful opening the doors because stuff can shift during transport.

Learn to back better.

The biggest thing will probably be watch your tail swing when you’ve got your tandems up until you’re used to it

You will likely encounter more waiting time, both at shippers and receiving locations than you have dealt with pulling flatbeds.

Some days we sit around a lot waiting. I think it will be a tradeoff because we never have to use up time to strap or tarp loads.

Wind especially when light. I always am careful opening the first door to not be behind it when opening a sealed load and do not know how it was loaded. Stuff can be leaning against door and want to fall out on you.

Wind especially when light. I always am careful opening the first door to not be behind it when opening a sealed load and do not know how it was loaded. Stuff can be leaning against door and want to fall out on you.

And the way the wind can catch a door! I've seen far too many videos online of people not being attentive and a big wind gust sends the door whipping into their face. It may sound funny but I'd be willing it's far from that first hand.

Don't forget to open the doors before you bump docks. When I first started, I forgot a few times. But, after having to redo my backs into some tight spaces, I learned quickly. Another thing to remember, if you are doing a drop and hook , make it a habit to remove your lock before you check into a gate or office. Receivers won't be happy having to cut a lock, and it will be expensive for you to replace a lock.

When docking, pay attention to passenger side of trailer, especially when tandems are forward. That overhang can hit someone beside you if you don't take it into consideration. I recommend sliding those tandems back before docking, no matter if it isn't required by receiver. Receivers like it also. Winds can and will catch your trailer doors when you are opening them, so be careful! Loads can shift if not strapped correctly. Slowly open trailer doors in case of the loads shifting or falling back. Winds can rock your trailer, especially when empty. Be extra diligent in Winter.