My 1st Breakdown
Topic 31107 | Page 1
Ran across this old post.
Thinking, 4 years now, since I came to TT, wondering if trucking would be in my future.
Now I've been training new, and I mean very new, drivers how to safely drive a truck otr and pass their CDL tests. Over a year now! None have had previous experience, couple I'm surprised they survived driving a car. Half are flat broke and I've cooked meals to help with end of money blues. I get them for 5000 -12000 miles, then they do 30-50k on a team truck.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
That is awesome!! I too am becoming a trainer later this month.
You are a good person for taking care of your trainees the way you have!! Kudos to you!
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My 1st breakdown :(
Barreling South on 77 down the mountains 25 miles north of Wytheville VA. 8+ hours into the trip. Red "Stop" dash light, high pitch scream and engine shuts down at hwy speed. Very interesting experience, even broke a little sweat. Place triangles and dump in gallon of antifreeze. 12 miles to Love's Bastian but no services add half gallon water, 18 more miles to TA. New upper radiator hose comes tomorrow.
A week ago our terminal did a complete inspection and pm, and I've done the pretrips. No visible abrasions bulges or cuts, no puddle's, but the radiator support bar wore a hole in this hose.
Few moved over so I spilled a bit of antifreeze on the motor in my rush.
In the midst of warning lights, buzzers, engine failing: I some how noticed the approaching exit was a no truck, no reentry and got stopped right on the zipper as no shoulder 100ft further.
This is, imo, a design flaw that the upper radiator mounting bracket rubs a hole in the upper radiator hose. Even after pressurizing the cooling system, there was no obvious leak until mechanic pushed hose away from bracket and spray hit me 6' away.
If others with this Freightliner LW 2020 looked, they might easily catch this before it becomes an issue. Thus the reason for posting here.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.