ALMOST Dropped My Trailer!
Topic 32160 | Page 2
I think it's a pretty short list the number of experienced drivers who have not made at least one bonehead mistake. It's great that you are willing to use yourself as an example of what can happen when not being thorough. I remember being in a bit of a hurry and forgetting to check the height of the trailer in relation to the 5th wheel. Kingpin went right over 5th wheel and reefer unit on the bulkhead smashed in APU fan. I was without heat unless I idled until I was routed to the shop for repair.
Those in training and those just starting solo: You will make mistakes. You are human. Just try to catch things before a small time-waster becomes a matter of compromising a load.
--
Bulkhead:
A strong wall-like structure placed at the front of a flatbed trailer (or on the rear of the tractor) used to protect the driver against shifting cargo during a front-end collision. May also refer to any separator within a dry or liquid trailer (also called a baffle for liquid trailers) used to partition the load.
Reefer:
A refrigerated trailer.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.APU:
Auxiliary Power Unit
On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.
Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.
Whew! Sounds like lots of drivers have had some similarly close calls. Yikes!
Since I'm not a commercial driver myself, I can only attempt to empathize with the litany of things that could go wrong out there and the crazy-long checklists necessary to stay safe.
At any rate, just wanted to say I think the level of "radical ownership / accountability" displayed in this thread is really, really admirable. Readily admitting one's mistakes is not only the respectable thing, but in this case, it seems to serve as a great reminder / learning opportunity for everyone!
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.
Btw Iām looking to get into the grocery hauling side as well . Have an interview with Spartannash and am looking forward to see what type of route they are offering. I have realized I am more of a doer than a teacher. Miss the truck
Good luck Papa Pig! Would this be to grocery stores, or restaurants? Hopefully it all works out for you and the family.
(Crazy question; are y'all expecting?!?!? Just asking... I know from experience. When 'I' was with child, Tom had the scatterbrains, too!)
She better not be! I got snipped about 3 years ago so if she is she's got some explaining to do! 
. In the last few weeks we've been dealing with some medical stuff in regards to mental health at the house but nothing we can't handle. It adds stress and frustration at times more than anything, things could always be worse.
Ohhh lordt help me! Lol I about gave myself a heart attack once with that. Again, like others, mine was caused by doing my decoupling tasks out of order, short on time, and in a rush. Slow it down, do it the same way every time. That way, if I have a niggling doubt that something is hinkie, I go back to the beginning of the list and do it again, in the same order. It's saved me a massive headache a handful of times.
As for mistakes, well, does ripping a trailer door off count?
DAC:
Drive-A-Check Report
A truck drivers DAC report will contain detailed information about their job history of the last 10 years as a CDL driver (as required by the DOT).
It may also contain your criminal history, drug test results, DOT infractions and accident history. The program is strictly voluntary from a company standpoint, but most of the medium-to-large carriers will participate.
Most trucking companies use DAC reports as part of their hiring and background check process. It is extremely important that drivers verify that the information contained in it is correct, and have it fixed if it's not.
As for mistakes, well, does ripping a trailer door off count?
Unless you were trying to assist the shop in removing a door for repair purposes, I think that might be a mistake.
She better not be! I got snipped about 3 years ago so if she is she's got some explaining to do!
LOL!! I knew a guy in the Air Force, a Major Hamilton, whose wife got pregnant after he got snipped. It caused a lot of problems because it happened within a year before he retired and he went TDY a fair amount as an F-111 pilot. I have a feeling that 9 months of her pregnancy was just really tough on her. The little boy was born, I think it was 1986 or 87, so it took a bit longer than nowadays for a DNA test to be run, but it turned out his snip job had failed and it was his little boy. š® Stranger things happen all the time. š
Laura
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
As for mistakes, well, does ripping a trailer door off count?
You should share pictures of that!
I'll try
I just spent the last few mins trying to write it and attach the pics. Pics wouldn't attach, so I'll revisit it later.
As for mistakes, well, does ripping a trailer door off count?
You should share pictures of that!
Btw Iām looking to get into the grocery hauling side as well . Have an interview with Spartannash and am looking forward to see what type of route they are offering. I have realized I am more of a doer than a teacher. Miss the truck
Good luck Papa Pig! Would this be to grocery stores, or restaurants? Hopefully it all works out for you and the family.
She better not be! I got snipped about 3 years ago so if she is she's got some explaining to do!
Rob T., that's funny! Sorry to get so 'personal,' you've just seemed to have a bit of 'heart on sleeve' going on .. and the Tomster did that way before we knew of our youngest; it's like HE had the symptoms, FOR me, including appetite!
It's awesome that you've shared so much with us, recently. I've read with heart and soul, each and every post. You are the epitome of a helluva man, good sir. I'd be proud to ykw and back, to call you my son (or even nephew.)
Medical stuff re: mental health (Tom's nephew next door) has become all but my 'forte' .. since Father's day.... myself. More on that later, or NOT, haha!!
I just wanted to double check; you've got the perfect family as it seems and is, man. Sorry if I offended!!!
Re: Papa Pig, did you see his post in that other thread? I think he goes in for his interview Thursday. Wow, eh? Spartan Nash (Regional Companies)
Best wishes to all, always!!
~ Anne & Tom ~
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
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My very first solo I dropped my trailer. Did pull test I thought but wasnt enough. Thank god it was still on the yard. Had to watch a couple videos etc and wait till next morning for new load.