Flatbed Drivers, You Have My Respect!
Topic 9556 | Page 1
That's awesome, Shannon! I'm looking forward to tarping and untarping in a Michigan winter, myself! :)
Now, if i can just get through the lower gears on take off as well as i do 8 through 10 I'll be set!
You're shifting too slow it sounds like. Speed it up in the lower gears. They're tighter together.
So I'm out with my trainer, thought i was going reefer but I'm out on the flatbed route! First load was a few coils, and let me tell you removing the yard tarp then pouring ours on in the heat was not something I was prepared for! Coils delivered and onto our next pick up. 17 truck beds! Getting those boogers strapped was an adventure in itself! In the Oklahoma heat, yeah that was something too. but I'm out, I'm doing it, and loving driving! Now, if i can just get through the lower gears on take off as well as i do 8 through 10 I'll be set!
Way to go! Tarping and strapping in the summer heat ain't no joke, I learned that very quickly! Just remember to stay well-hydrated and cool off in the truck with the A/C at full blast for a few minutes if you need to. I hope you have a few extra pounds you're ready to lose!
Reefer:
A refrigerated trailer.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Especially if you are in a borrowed truck with no AC because yours is in the shop this week.... LOL I do have the old fashioned air conditioning though, I roll down both windows.
So I'm out with my trainer, thought i was going reefer but I'm out on the flatbed route! First load was a few coils, and let me tell you removing the yard tarp then pouring ours on in the heat was not something I was prepared for! Coils delivered and onto our next pick up. 17 truck beds! Getting those boogers strapped was an adventure in itself! In the Oklahoma heat, yeah that was something too. but I'm out, I'm doing it, and loving driving! Now, if i can just get through the lower gears on take off as well as i do 8 through 10 I'll be set!
Who knows, you may end up loving the flatbed gig. It gets easier as time goes on. Sometimes you get those loads and just look at it and scratch your head and say.... How in the he double hockey sticks am I going to secure that?
Reefer:
A refrigerated trailer.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Yup, i got a lot of extra pounds to lose! So far i like it, minus the heat! We seem to load quicker than the reefer side.
Brett, your right in shifting too slow. Plus I'm all heavy footed in the double clutch.
Double Clutch:
To engage and then disengage the clutch twice for every gear change.
When double clutching you will push in the clutch, take the gearshift out of gear, release the clutch, press the clutch in again, shift the gearshift into the next gear, then release the clutch.
This is done on standard transmissions which do not have synchronizers in them, like those found in almost all Class A trucks.
Reefer:
A refrigerated trailer.
Plus I'm all heavy footed in the double clutch.
Yeah, all you really gotta do is put a little pressure on the pedal and get it to move about an inch or two. Double-clutching through the low gears has to be really quick. Makes you look like you're making a seated attempt at line dancing or something. You'll be glad when the day comes that you can just float gears and not worry about that clutch at all.
Float Gears:
An expression used to describe someone who is shifting gears without using the clutch at all. Drivers are taught to "Double Clutch" or press and release the clutch twice for each gear shift. If you're floating gears it means you're simply shifting without using the clutch at all.
Double Clutch:
To engage and then disengage the clutch twice for every gear change.
When double clutching you will push in the clutch, take the gearshift out of gear, release the clutch, press the clutch in again, shift the gearshift into the next gear, then release the clutch.
This is done on standard transmissions which do not have synchronizers in them, like those found in almost all Class A trucks.
Are you still at Prime? How is it going for you?
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So I'm out with my trainer, thought i was going reefer but I'm out on the flatbed route! First load was a few coils, and let me tell you removing the yard tarp then pouring ours on in the heat was not something I was prepared for! Coils delivered and onto our next pick up. 17 truck beds! Getting those boogers strapped was an adventure in itself! In the Oklahoma heat, yeah that was something too. but I'm out, I'm doing it, and loving driving! Now, if i can just get through the lower gears on take off as well as i do 8 through 10 I'll be set!
Reefer:
A refrigerated trailer.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.