Just About Ballistic Over A Safety Issue

Usually, I keep my head about me when dealing with less than ideal situations.

I also am not afraid to get my hands dirty and tinker around to see if I can fix something before having to call road assist. There are very few systems that I will not mess with at all. One of those is the airbrake system. I will cage and block to get out of a bad situation, but that's as far as I'll go.

There were a whole lot of "This MotherF@#$ERS......" thrown around in my truck today. Yes, I could have been nicer. Yes I could have used less spicy words. Don't treat me like I'm a knuckle dragging imbecile, and I won't question your intelligence.

Context? My gladhand connection to the trailer is worn out and failing. No matter how much pressure or bending, or moving it around would fully stop the air leak. Yes I tried the hammer. Yes I tried wiggling it around. Yes the seals are in good condition.

Roadside repairs are on their way, ETA 60-120 mins.

Holy oops. I also just realized that I not only sent it to RA, but to dispatch as well.

Whoops.🤣🤣

Since you can do some stuff with hand tools, what about changing out the coupling? They have these in most truck stops, either the Red or Blue side. It only takes two Crescent wrenches and about 10 minutes. That's what I would do if it were a multi hour wait to get into the garage at a TA or Love's.

I would consider it, if I was close enough to a truckstop, the air leak wasn't way more than 4psi/min (yep. I am the smarty-pants that did the applied pressure test JUSSSSST to back up my position on not moving) and I didn't have to cross a scale to get to the nearest truckstop.

Whoops.🤣🤣

Since you can do some stuff with hand tools, what about changing out the coupling? They have these in most truck stops, either the Red or Blue side. It only takes two Crescent wrenches and about 10 minutes. That's what I would do if it were a multi hour wait to get into the garage at a TA or Love's.

I keep a bunch of spare parts and hardware just in case the need arises for myself or another driver. Something to think about because it's usually faster than road service or waiting in line.

True. It does come down to my comfort with doing actual repairs though. I am only comfortable caging and blocking because I was taught how by a heavy haul recovery operator, and have him as a resource if I need to be walked through something. I could have probably fixed it myself, and will likely look into carrying one anyway, but the "just zip tie it" comment set me off. Apparently someone already talked to him, because I had to get the trailer number corrected, and he was super fast and apologetic. 🤷‍♀️ All's well that ends well. I'm fixed already, and headed to sleep.

I keep a bunch of spare parts and hardware just in case the need arises for myself or another driver. Something to think about because it's usually faster than road service or waiting in line.

So you felt compelled to say naughty words? Must have been very bad. Lol.

Another driver told me how he carries the proper size hose clamps for emergency use in just the type of situation you describe. He uses the hose clamps force the tractor gladhand tight to the trailer gladhand. It’s an emergency fix until he can get the fittings replaced.

I have a collection of various sizes of hose clamps in my side compartment, but I haven’t had to use them yet for that purpose.

I think you are missing the more important enraging part of this scenario.

I judged my vehicle in an unsafe position, after doing my due diligence to see if it was something stupid, or serious.

The ROAD ASSIST suggested having me move, after explaining that it was unsafe to do so. How many other people, who have zero mechanic abilities, get pushed to make moves that are illegal or unsafe? That's a bigger issue than me carrying hose clamps or not.

So you felt compelled to say naughty words? Must have been very bad. Lol.

Another driver told me how he carries the proper size hose clamps for emergency use in just the type of situation you describe. He uses the hose clamps force the tractor gladhand tight to the trailer gladhand. It’s an emergency fix until he can get the fittings replaced.

I have a collection of various sizes of hose clamps in my side compartment, but I haven’t had to use them yet for that purpose.

I think you are missing the more important enraging part of this scenario.

I judged my vehicle in an unsafe position, after doing my due diligence to see if it was something stupid, or serious.

The ROAD ASSIST suggested having me move, after explaining that it was unsafe to do so. How many other people, who have zero mechanic abilities, get pushed to make moves that are illegal or unsafe? That's a bigger issue than me carrying hose clamps or not.

So you felt compelled to say naughty words? Must have been very bad. Lol.

Another driver told me how he carries the proper size hose clamps for emergency use in just the type of situation you describe. He uses the hose clamps force the tractor gladhand tight to the trailer gladhand. It’s an emergency fix until he can get the fittings replaced.

I have a collection of various sizes of hose clamps in my side compartment, but I haven’t had to use them yet for that purpose.

Just trying to be helpful.

You made the call and the heck with anyone who doesn't like it.

I always find it interesting that some companies want drivers to make get-by fixes or continue on, just so they can either avoid extra work or save a few bucks...AND THEN they never offer to pay the driver a little extra $$ after the driver saved them hundreds of dollars on roadside assistance. Hmm.