Moving up the food chain (straight truck)

[mcavoy33]

Well my Sprinter has been having some problems, so I got a call today from the office and was asked if I had my chauffer's licence. Once I told them I had it, they said if you had your DOT physical, we'll run you in other vehicles. I told them I got it last year when I did my CDL course.

So got a load tomorrow in a straight truck < 26k with a drop in Ohio, then off to New Jersey. Kinda excited, going in at 7 tomorrow to go over the particulars, logging etc...

Any pointers or advice?


On a side note: I asked about 2 months ago about driving a straight truck and was told that I lacked the 2 years experience for insurance purposes but I guess we've picked up enough and are short on drivers.

 

[chefdennis]

Congrats... Better you then me....

 

[paullud]

When you are backing up get out and look. If you are backing up and have any doubt get out and double check. Make sure you are very careful with your following distance as well since you are going to see a difference.

Posted with my Droid EO Forum App

 

[AMonger]

Put another way, if your instincts are telling you you're not positive what's back there, don't dismiss them. Lots of accidents happen that way.

 

[purgoose10]

On a side note: I asked about 2 months ago about driving a straight truck and was told that I lacked the 2 years experience for insurance purposes but I guess we've picked up enough and are short on drivers.[/QUOTE]

Well the experience with company's is not with driving, it is with "yes Dispatcher", "No Dispatcher", "Thankyou Dispatcher".
When you get that correct and in the right order they bump you up to experienced.

 

[mcavoy33]

Thanks guys, I'm glad I asked. Anything else?

 

[mcavoy33]

Well the experience with company's is not with driving, it is with "yes Dispatcher", "No Dispatcher", "Thankyou Dispatcher".
When you get that correct and in the right order they bump you up to experienced.

That is an important point. Its something that I realized very early on. We have one main dispatcher that works Monday to Friday 9 am to 9 pm. Then we have rotating ones that work during the day to help him and one person that works night shift from home from 9 pm to 7 am when the day shift starts.

Early on, I made sure to really sound enthusiastic and happy when he called with a load. When I'm sitting, I try to joke around with him a little about needing to drink some Tiger Blood so he can be more #winning.

I don't really know if favoritism exists but if it does, I want to be on the right side of the equation.

 

[Moot]

Upgrading to a ST? Moving up the food chain (straight truck)?

When was the last time you saw a Giganotosaurus in the wild? They too thought they were at the top of the food chain.

 

[cheri1122]

Thanks guys, I'm glad I asked. Anything else?

Like the height bar at the drive thru says: "Watch your head!"

 

[mcavoy33]

Thanks guys, I'm glad I asked. Anything else?

Like the height bar at the drive thru says: "Watch your head!"

In the sprinter, I said screw the numbers and did the just try it method and crawled slowly to see if it would touch. I came across a few places where I'd clear the first bar but further down, somethingwas bent and I had to back out, luckily there was no traffic.

Learnt last night that you need to be careful pulling up to the toll booth if you want to keep your mirrors, learnt that you have to clear that bar before you can pull close, was within a couple inches but I was moving slow enough to brake and swerve and swerve back.

 

[dpounders]

know the height of your truck, i see over passes quiet often that we can not go under. yesterday by the pentagon i rolled up on a sign thet said 13' 4 " yea i was freeking out cause i need 13' 6 " to clear, but i rolled under it no problem so you never know. just watch out for tree limbs and overhead wires.

 

[cheri1122]

Some states [like NY] make the height signs a couple inches lower, so snow accumulation doesn't cause trouble. And snow accumulation triggered the overheight warning once when I entered the Ohio turnpike, in a T/T.
Not even sure what the height is on the Sterling, [13 3?] but a low overpass in Mitchell, Wisconsin, earlier this week sent me on a 5 mile detour - not worth taking the chance.

 

[greg334]

Learnt last night that you need to be careful pulling up to the toll booth if you want to keep your mirrors, learnt that you have to clear that bar before you can pull close, was within a couple inches but I was moving slow enough to brake and swerve and swerve back.

Isn't that the first thing they teach you, know where the truck is in relation to objects around you?

Cheri, bad... ever think of measuring it?

There is this device that I discovered back in 1966, it is called a tape measure and you can now buy them for a buck.

Mine is 12' 6" as are many out on the road.

 

[cheri1122]

Isn't that the first thing they teach you, know where the truck is in relation to objects around you?

Cheri, bad... ever think of measuring it?

Duh! The problem is, no one will let me borrow a ladder [even strangers who don't know I'm a klutz] and the one time Skyraider let me stand on top of his van, I didn't think of it.

There is this device that I discovered back in 1966, it is called a tape measure and you can now buy them for a buck.

I've measured every dimension [floor, cabinets, width of box on both sides of the barn doors] except the height. I just assume it's 13-3 till I find out otherwise.

Mine is 12' 6" as are many out on the road.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

Isn't that the first thing they teach you, know where the truck is in relation to objects around you?

Cheri, bad... ever think of measuring it?

Duh! The problem is, no one will let me borrow a ladder [even strangers who don't know I'm a klutz] and the one time Skyraider let me stand on top of his van, I didn't think of it.

There is this device that I discovered back in 1966, it is called a tape measure and you can now buy them for a buck.

I've measured every dimension [floor, cabinets, width of box on both sides of the barn doors] except the height. I just assume it's 13-3 till I find out otherwise.

Mine is 12' 6" as are many out on the road.

When you are at the shop...have it measured...gee whiz...

It is hard to believe a professional driver does not know without a doubt the height of their truck...

 

[mcavoy33]

Isn't that the first thing they teach you, know where the truck is in relation to objects around you?

Well tbh, I was trying to get as close as possible and I was being a little dramatic when I say swerve as I was moving 5 mph or less, so inching along was probably a better descriptive word but not nearly as dramatic.

Driving in the rain last night was a good experience. I actually found it easier than driving a car in the rain.

 

[mcavoy33]

One thing I could definately use some help with is backing into docks. I obviously am super careful and I take my time, I find myself scared to back right in to the dock, should I just go ahead and bump the dock and let the rubber do its job? Got any tips?

 

[greg334]

What do you need a ladder for?

I measure everything from the ground.

 

[greg334]

One thing I could definately use some help with is backing into docks. I obviously am super careful and I take my time, I find myself scared to back right in to the dock, should I just go ahead and bump the dock and let the rubber do its job? Got any tips?

You don't need help, you need to just do it.

I hate to see you pulling into a place like Avert and having to back between two trailers with no room to get out.

BUT seriously, find a place that is closed and practice where you have at least three empty docks. AND don't let your bumpers stay against the dock, pull an inch forward so you don't rip them off the truck.

 

[mcavoy33]

You don't need help, you need to just do it.

I hate to see you pulling into a place like Avert and having to back between two trailers with no room to get out.

BUT seriously, find a place that is closed and practice where you have at least three empty docks. AND don't let your bumpers stay against the dock, pull an inch forward so you don't rip them off the truck.

You are right, you would hate to see me backing up, its a funny site. But I'd rather be safe than sorry.

The most challenging for me was actually pulling out of the t/s Friday night when it was full, but I was so proud to be pulling out of there with a load while they were all hunkering down for the night. Its too bad there is no room at our docks, otherwise that is a good idea.

I'll watch for a closed dock to get some practice in.