Youtube Is Your Friend....

There are a few things that can not be found on Youtube and that includes trucking. Sliding tandems or the 5th wheel or doing a pre trip inspection or just about anything else you can think of and you will have a video to watch so you can see it to understand better.

Like a GPS is a tool so is Youtube. Use it to help yourself and if your still not sure we are more than happy to help you understand it better.

I agree with Guyjax. You won't find alot of stuff on You tube about trucking. And the stuff you do find will usually scare the crap outta ya. Truck wrecks are the worst. But if you've been out on the road for awhile, you'll see worse on the road, than you will see on You tube. Some say that seeing those wrecks will make you a better driver... I don't agree. Inside us all is this little voice that whispers "well, I"m better than that, so it will never happen to me." But that isn't really true. The longer you drive truck, the better you will get. But that in and of itself will not save you from getting into a wreck. Only your ability to always stay aware of your surroundings and adjust your driving to the traffic at all times will give you a better chance. Experience is great, but don't ever let yourself think that "It couldn't happen to me".

I agree with Guyjax. You won't find alot of stuff on You tube about trucking. And the stuff you do find will usually scare the crap outta ya. Truck wrecks are the worst. But if you've been out on the road for awhile, you'll see worse on the road, than you will see on You tube. Some say that seeing those wrecks will make you a better driver... I don't agree. Inside us all is this little voice that whispers "well, I"m better than that, so it will never happen to me." But that isn't really true. The longer you drive truck, the better you will get. But that in and of itself will not save you from getting into a wreck. Only your ability to always stay aware of your surroundings and adjust your driving to the traffic at all times will give you a better chance. Experience is great, but don't ever let yourself think that "It couldn't happen to me".

That is so true.

Dave

This site and youtube have really given me confidence getting started in the industry. Theres a lot out there, but often hard to find. Like astarcar said a lot is bad. Theres plenty of "look at this rookie try to park" and accidents. It really makes you understand how difficult the job is. One really eye opening video was one of those crazy police chase videos. A rig with a trailer and a maniac behind the wheel. He just rammed people out of the way. At one point he was stopped behind a line of people. Then he just pushed them out of the way. It was like matchbox cars. I knew those trucks were powerful but that was eye opening.

Once you get past that stuff you can find great videos about driving. I've found 5 or so people that I subscribe to. A few update daily with driving videos. You really see what its like as a driver over the road. Others are great tools like Guy said about sliding tandems. You can read the cdl manual, or info on here but once you see it you can understand it quite a bit better. Others are videos of people giving advice, or reviewing their training, similar to what I read here. Of course you get have people that don't know what they're talking about or are really negative. However, most people that take the time to post are trying to help and are good resources. Its also good to see inside the truck. For a new guy that's never set foot in a truck its great to be able to actually see the inside. Plenty of people post tours of their rigs.

I'm strongly considering starting a channel of my own once I get out on the road to pay it forward and help the next group of new guys and gals.

This guy, "YourboyE The Trucker" has some very good videos on trucking. He is positive and realistic in his approach to trucking. This video on how to double-clutch will start a 3 part series which, if you are new to it, is very helpful and thorough. Just thought I'd put this out there.

This guy, "YourboyE The Trucker" has some very good videos on trucking. He is positive and realistic in his approach to trucking. http://youtube.com/watch?v=ufe8JkgUDOA will start a 3 part video on double clutching which, if you are new to it, is very helpful and thorough. Just thought I'd put this out there.

I agree. He has great videos from when he drove. They start with his schooling all the way through him as a trainer. I never understood how the jake break worked until he filmed his student going down a grade never touching the break pedal. His double shifting videos are great too. Really all of them are really good. He's positive and motivational. His videos are great because he has a passion for it and it shows.

I love YouTube trucking videos, and I have found and enjoyed quite a lot of them. Thanks for the double-clutching link above.

I mentioned in another thread that I love BigRigTravels on YouTube by BigRigSteve in particular. He has posted close to 900 videos shot from an excellent quality dash camera. He just turns it on and lets it record as he goes down the highway all around the country. I find them very relaxing and I enjoy the scenery. It is the next best thing to actually being in the truck I reckon. They can be good education too. For instance, driving down the infamous Cabbage Patch hill in Oregon. He made it look like a breeze just taking it easy, while other trucks passed him with their brakes smoking.

Tim, I lived at the bottom of Cabbage Hill for 18 years. And I've seen trucks coming down that run with their brakes on fire. I've seen wrecks, when a truck is creeping down the hill, and another truck rear ends him...I've seen them slide off the mountain going uphill, without chains...and the chain up sign is out. If it could happen on Cabbage, I've probably seen it. Having been a LEO for part of that time, I'm sure I've responded to calls up there that would give you nightmares. Videos may make it look easy...but when you head down Cabbage in to high a gear, compared to the weight of your load, it won't be easy. Remember you can go down a mountain to slow alot of times....you will only go down a mountain to fast once.............

Tim, I lived at the bottom of Cabbage Hill for 18 years. And I've seen trucks coming down that run with their brakes on fire. I've seen wrecks, when a truck is creeping down the hill, and another truck rear ends him...I've seen them slide off the mountain going uphill, without chains...and the chain up sign is out. If it could happen on Cabbage, I've probably seen it. Having been a LEO for part of that time, I'm sure I've responded to calls up there that would give you nightmares. Videos may make it look easy...but when you head down Cabbage in to high a gear, compared to the weight of your load, it won't be easy. Remember you can go down a mountain to slow alot of times....you will only go down a mountain to fast once.............

I wonder why so many truck drivers just do not grasp the simple physics of the issue? Is it lack of training, or just stupidity? BigRigSteve does not say much during his videos, but he did when one particular truck flew by him on that downgrade.

Starcar, if you are pulling near a full 80k and are approaching Cabbage Hill downgrade, what is the best strategy that in your experience you have learned in order to get down in the safest manner?

Tim, I lived at the bottom of Cabbage Hill for 18 years. And I've seen trucks coming down that run with their brakes on fire. I've seen wrecks, when a truck is creeping down the hill, and another truck rear ends him...I've seen them slide off the mountain going uphill, without chains...and the chain up sign is out. If it could happen on Cabbage, I've probably seen it. Having been a LEO for part of that time, I'm sure I've responded to calls up there that would give you nightmares. Videos may make it look easy...but when you head down Cabbage in to high a gear, compared to the weight of your load, it won't be easy. Remember you can go down a mountain to slow alot of times....you will only go down a mountain to fast once.............

I wonder why so many truck drivers just do not grasp the simple physics of the issue? Is it lack of training, or just stupidity? BigRigSteve does not say much during his videos, but he did when one particular truck flew by him on that downgrade.

Starcar, if you are pulling near a full 80k and are approaching Cabbage Hill downgrade, what is the best strategy that in your experience you have learned in order to get down in the safest manner?

Slow is the key. I have been down Cabbage more than a few times. There are a few straight stretches between the curves and people use these area to gain speed which is stupid cause you just have to slow down again. Before you even start down the hill there are many warning signs telling you the speed a head. You get in the correct gear and maintain the proper speed BEFORE you get to the first curve at the top. If your going to fast once you round the first curve at the top then you could be in trouble and might not get slowed down enough.