You And The Equipment... Don't Be That Guy!

Hey folks, been out here for many many years. I own my own tractor, am my own mechanic and leased to a carrier. And yes, I have had my own authority and have owned seven trucks, trailers and have employed drivers...

One thing that irritates the heck out of me is pulling into a lot to grab a trailer only to find it is not road worthy. It will have a flat, a busted glad hand, broken air line, severe damage, etc. If you have a trailer, and you know that there is something wrong with it, GET IT FIXED! Or at least report it and have it taken out of service and out of the system.

I know many of you are new to this racket, but sometimes you need to put your foot down and get things repaired. And sometimes that entails getting under the trailer to adjust the brakes or change out a light bulb or even minor electrical repair. No one expects you to be a mechanic, but your lack of initiative can be disastrous for yourself or the next guy. Don't be the guy that says that is not my job. It more than likely isn't, just remember that another driver put you into this position! That, "Not my job" attitude ripples through a company, and instead of getting that raise you think you deserve, those monies are now going to repair all of the neglected equipment.

And if you see someone tearing up the equipment, report them, yes, be a snitch! If you can, talk to that driver, find out what the heck is going on with them, why did they do that or not report this or that. Sometimes you just have to say something. This is money out of your pocket, remember that. One driver with that "Not my job" attitude can cost a company more than you realize, like accounts or even worse, a fatality.

You are more than a steering wheel holder, you are supposed to be a professional, and being a professional sometimes requires you to get dirty. If you are getting into this profession to see the country, ride around with your bare feet propped up on the dash and listen to tunes all day long, please go do something else. We already have an abundance of those folks out here, we do not need nor require anymore.

DON'T BE THAT GUY!

Wow. I think your barking up the wrong tree. This post belongs on another forum where the super truckers hang out.

Most people here are just trying to get going in the industry. Now, you want them adjusting brakes...lol.

I get your point...largely, don’t leave it for the next guy.

But to suggest they get under a trailer and adjust brakes is just foolish. A light bulb...maybe...but even the newer trucks aren’t as easy as they used to be.

If you think you have the technical knowledge then go ahead and fix it...otherwise....call maintenance and let them direct you.

Although I do not agree with the condescending tone here, most of the message is good. If you see a problem report I even report problems on trailers that are not mine that I notice in the yard.

Moat companies do not want drivers fixing things, maybe at most a quick patch to get it someplace for a proper repair but even then you should check first.

Changing a light bulb shouldn't be a problem if you can get to it, as stated above some are very difficult to access now. On our newer trailers the lights are riveted in no way to change them easily.

Michael W bemoans:

One thing that irritates the heck out of me is pulling into a lot to grab a trailer only to find it is not road worthy. It will have a flat, a busted glad hand, broken air line, severe damage, etc. If you have a trailer, and you know that there is something wrong with it, GET IT FIXED! Or at least report it and have it taken out of service and out of the system.

Tim ripostes:

Wow. I think your barking up the wrong tree. This post belongs on another forum where the super truckers hang out.

Most people here are just trying to get going in the industry. Now, you want them adjusting brakes...lol.

I get your point...largely, don’t leave it for the next guy.

Thanks, Mike. I know what you're talking about. As for new drivers, now is the time to be conscious if the bad trailer handoff. If you'd rather be rolling on the interstate than sitting at a trailer shop, you are very tempted to make the delivery and hope you don't get caught with a bad trailer - it saves you time.

So one taillight didn't work. You know your trip doesn't pass any scales so the odds are good you can get delivered and move on. Why waste your preciou$ time to fix a problem someone else should have taken care of?

Once I somehow got the luck of the draw to get FIVE tires fixed over a one week period. It would be better if all drivers got things fixed when they find them. But between you and me, that ain't gonna happen!

Michael is telling the truth - you will end up with trailers that should have been fixed before you got them. Tim gets the point, and says what we all need to do:

Don’t leave it for the next guy.

(Not "largely" but all the time!)

October for me:

13 lights replaced

7 mud flaps replaced

6 flat trailer tires

3 batteries replaced

2 drive tires replaced

20 wild goose chases for empty trailers that didn't exist.

Every day seemed like a challenge. Most were a challenge due to poor maintenance, poor upkeep, and drivers leaving the problem for the next

I am far from a super trucker, and detest that lot. I'm still learning too... And it looks like there is still much to learn with this new generation.

I was "That Guy" the other night, a victim of someone not doing their job, which entailed the airlines and the fact that the trailer was over axle with no way to adjust, but I got the load delivered on time. So excuse me if I came across a bit snarky...

I had to swap out trailers yesterday, I knew I was in trouble when the driver I was to swap with pulled in to the truck stop with his Beats headphones on and flip flops along with the the trailer tandems slid darn near to the rear. I took care of business and got the load safely delivered, though it cost me several hours of my time, uncompensated time.

And that was the point of the post, be a professional!

Thank you Errol, it is hard enough out here as it is, and you know that. Too many yahoos ruining it for everyone, and thank you for the service you guys here at Trucking Truth are providing.

October for me:

13 lights replaced

7 mud flaps replaced

6 flat trailer tires

3 batteries replaced

2 drive tires replaced

20 wild goose chases for empty trailers that didn't exist.

Every day seemed like a challenge. Most were a challenge due to poor maintenance, poor upkeep, and drivers leaving the problem for the next

Bottom line, that was money out of your pocket due to lost time. There is no way to get that time back, which = less revenue for you and your family. Makes a guy wonder why we even do this? I just returned from the trailer parts store, picked up some parts to modify my existing equipment to make my job easier, and safer due to signing on with this new carrier. Time is money, and I don't care if you own the rig or are a driver, lost productivity is just that, lost. And it all comes out of your, or our pocket, no one wins, other than the meathead who left the problem for you to clean up. Sad.

GREETINGS ALL,

I noticed no mention of the easily seen activity of not properly securing Trailer Doors (Barn/Swing). MANY Drivers "get in a hurry" and can easily have a non secured Trailer and then Seal applied. Please Drivers as well Yard Jockeys, Look UP to be certain Trailer Doors are properly secured prior to relocation.

Loads have been and will be refused due to improper securement and such goes DIRECTLY on the current Driver. - - - - Carrying and Actually USING a Tire Pressure Guage will help prevent the "waiting for Road Repair". Having as well a 50 foot Air Line (which attaches to Tractor Emergency [RED] Line) helps especially for Drop-n-Hooks. Air Lines come in RED, and Hi-Vis GREEN. Cheap Insurance!!

For Those of US that have the Proper Tools and Skills to "adjust Brakes", please DO proceed. You may also discover things going south like Air Line connections and components and Electrical (A.B.S.). Good time to also check for structural integrity of Trailer Framework (Cracks, Splits, Missing Bits, Potential Failures).

Shiny Side UP, Greasy Side DOWN! There is no load so hot it has to cool off in a ditch, upside down or in water. CHEERS!!

October for me:

13 lights replaced

7 mud flaps replaced

6 flat trailer tires

3 batteries replaced

2 drive tires replaced

20 wild goose chases for empty trailers that didn't exist.

Every day seemed like a challenge. Most were a challenge due to poor maintenance, poor upkeep, and drivers leaving the problem for the next

Copy that.

How many Glad Hand Gaskets had you replaced in those manuevers?