Truck Stop Follies And Assorted Stupidity

Twice I've been charged $25, both at Pilot-branded truck stops! First time, didn't realize how much it was or I would've waited until I was elsewhere. Second time was the Mr. Fuel just north of the one on that receipt and was desperate for one so bit the bullet and paid. They have quite the monopoly at that interchange: a Pilot on one corner, Flying J on another and Mr. Fuel on a third. Now I do whatever I can to make sure I can get to a Love's or TA where I have some credits.

One person...

When I started only 7 years ago, I remember $8.00 as being high.

One person...

When I started only 7 years ago, I remember $8.00 as being high.

I can’t comment on truck stuff from many years ago because I’m a fairly new driver, but I still remember $.25 per gallon gas and $.25 hamburgers at McDonald’s

But my first W2 job paid $.75 per hour.

Things are a little better now.

Maybe if there had been TWO 11'8" Bridge Clearance signs?

I didn't destroy the entire trailer!

I was parked at the Gulf gas station (2 fuel islands) across the street from the Walmart in Lexington NE, exit 237 on I-80. Heard some noise, so peeped out of my curtains and saw the Hyster sitting up against the trailer. Decided to open the curtains and go out to walk Monty and check it out.

I ended up talking with the two guys that were outside talking. The one driver brought an empty trailer to the young driver that had this incident and he took off with the damaged trailer to get it repaired. So then I ended up talking with the younger driver for a bit.

According to him, he had a loaded trailer and jumped off I-80 and went into a Sinclair truck stop on the south side of the road to use the bathroom and get a drink. He said he parked the truck, went in and was only away from his truck about 10 minutes. He got back in the truck and took off. He was making a left onto the ramp when the trailer went straight by him. He said he had been pulling that trailer for a couple days. He feels that someone pulled his fifth wheel while he was inside that short amount of time. He has been driving for 2 years.

Laura

I was parked at the Gulf gas station (2 fuel islands) across the street from the Walmart in Lexington NE, exit 237 on I-80. Heard some noise, so peeped out of my curtains and saw the Hyster sitting up against the trailer. Decided to open the curtains and go out to walk Monty and check it out.

I ended up talking with the two guys that were outside talking. The one driver brought an empty trailer to the young driver that had this incident and he took off with the damaged trailer to get it repaired. So then I ended up talking with the younger driver for a bit.

According to him, he had a loaded trailer and jumped off I-80 and went into a Sinclair truck stop on the south side of the road to use the bathroom and get a drink. He said he parked the truck, went in and was only away from his truck about 10 minutes. He got back in the truck and took off. He was making a left onto the ramp when the trailer went straight by him. He said he had been pulling that trailer for a couple days. He feels that someone pulled his fifth wheel while he was inside that short amount of time. He has been driving for 2 years.

Laura

And sooooooo ……………..

What do we learn from this experience??????

And sooooooo ……………..

What do we learn from this experience??????

The young man learned that every time he's out and about, he needs to do a quick walk around and check things before he gets back into the truck.

I do because the blue airlines on these chassis will pop off going down the road. After it does it once or twice, then I zip tie them.

Laura

Laura, you are so right. With many companies, a trailer disconnect is automatic termination.

Anybody in school or training needs to understand the critical importance of checking the 5th wheel connection visually and then getting in the habit of doing a tug test.

Great teaching experience.