Newbies, don't get hung up on locks

[slfisher45]

I posted the following on the "General Expediters Forum" and it seems all the respondents to the post were hooked on types of locks and maintenance of said locks and all the extra crap. Somebody even tapes the locks with a plastic bag over it, oh and a lock that can be disassembled with interchangeable parts. How gruesome. The whole idea was not to spend time on locks. Please read on Newbies, The following is a simple program for padlocks on your box. The DOT explained that all that is necessary in transportation is the doors must be closed so they can't pop open. If your doors pop open you need new latches or alignment not a padlock.


"There have been a few posts on this issue. I used to have problems with the locks freezing or the tumblers would get contaminated with grit and it was always a big inconvenience at the consignee.
The following works well for me and with discipline it can work for you.
When the truck is rolling the padlock hangs on the document pocket on the door next to the driver.
I only lock the box when I leave the truck unattended or if I am taking a nap. As a solo driver that is nescessary.
I have been doing this for six months and no lock failures. The lock still looks new.
I take the lock off on my pre-trip inspection and lock it when I walk away from the truck with no inconvenience.
This lock failure is a bigger issue in the colder months but the tumblers do get grit in them from exposure, regardless of the weather."

I don't clean them, soak them or waste time on interchangeable parts (HAHAHA). All I do is take them off and keep them in the cab when I am rolling.
It is a simple procedure and the time you don't waste on padlock procedure can be used in other areas, like posting about padlock procedures.

 

[greg334]

Yea Fish, see the point...

...but...

for the newbies there is more to the story than just locking your truck, it is about getting into proper habits right from the start which is the best way to ensure that you don't have problems later on, like with someone stealing or at minimal get into the cargo area of the truck and damaging it.

What does it take to lock a door? 10 seconds if you have a lock where you need the key to lock it, otherwise 3 seconds, big deal.

As complicated as it sounded in that thread, everyone needs to look at it this way;

You are completely and totally responsible for what you carry on your truck and if something ends up missing, it is not going to be me who will end up paying for it, but you.

Remember that it is far cheaper to make a $50 investment in a proper tool than to have to pay $1000 or even a lot more for your deductable.

The DOT has absolutely nothing to do with this issue, your contract has a lot to do with it and the insurance company is the one who has the final say so on the subject. It is a fact that the insurance company can refuse a cargo damage claim because you did not secure the freight properly, and locking the door is one item that is on that list of securing the freight properly.

Chances are that you may never have to deal with someone trying to get into your truck but that one time could be something that you would have to face without anyone’s help or concern.

One thing that is missed is the speed that some thieves operate and the speed you don’t operate at. When you get stopped at a light or in nicely flowing traffic in Manhattan and all of sudden you finally realize that your cargo door is open, what are you going to do? You of course will stop the truck in traffic and run out after them? Right? Show me how this can be done when you don’t know who you are dealing with or getting a bunch of people really p*ssed off at you because you are now blocking one or two lanes of traffic.

About the locks themselves, just think of it as another tool, just like straps and load bars. You make an investment for the proper tool to do a proper job. Everyone has differing opinions about what lock to buy, I for one like the idea of having replaceable parts and making an investment that I won’t get stuck with later on. Lock maintenance should be part of the entire truck maintenance program out of habit, there’s that word again - HABIT.

My advice and opinion does not come from a trucker’s point of view but a company owner’s point of view where security in high crime areas became a serious habit for all my employees and reducing liablities were at the top of my list to keep cost down.

 

[slfisher45]

I do agree it is important to build habits that are progressive and constructive in building a business with the least amount of pitfalls. Losing part of a load or personal items is a major setback because someone has violated your personal space.

Buy padlocks with boots that are keyed alike. Also buy a quality set of bolt cutters. You will need them occasionally for the lock and some consignees that can't find their bolt cutters to remove the seal.
Don't keep the bolt cutters in your freight compartment....

 

[greg334]

I am sorry Fish, didn't mean to offend you but I stand by what I say.

 

[slfisher45]

Greg I've noticed your sign off for several weeks. Actually Engler was re-elcted twice. Poor Granholm is the one mopping up the worst job a Michigan Gov. has ever done.