Ethical Question

I was looking at some trucking stuff on YouTube today and I came across a very disturbing video.

A driver was parked at a truck stop. He witnessed one driver trying to park. Another driver came in and stole the spot. After the two drivers exchanged middle finger gestures, driver #1 goes and finds another spot. Driver #2, who was the offender here, parks and goes into the truck stop. Meanwhile, driver 1 comes over and pulls the king pin release of driver 2. Driver 2 comes back to his truck and takes off. But his trailer stayed behind and the landing gear goes completely through the overheated pavement. Driver 2 goes around to the other trucks and tries to find out if anybody saw who pulled his pin release. The observing driver, who saw the whole thing and got it on video, told driver 2 that he was in the sleeper and didn’t see anything. He said it was the drivers “code of silence”.

I understand that driver 1 was ****ed off. But to pull a pin in retaliation?

What would you have done in this situation? Personally, I’m just shocked at what I saw and heard on this video.

Yeah, no. You don't mess with other people's equipment!! And you don't watch someone mess with someone's equipment, it is a good way for someone to get hurt or killed.

I've never heard of "truckers code or silence" sounds like some BS YouTube supertrucker talk.

Personally, if I saw the guy pull I'm telling the guy right away.

Yeah, no. You don't mess with other people's equipment!! And you don't watch someone mess with someone's equipment, it is a good way for someone to get hurt or killed.

I've never heard of "truckers code or silence" sounds like some BS YouTube supertrucker talk.

Personally, if I saw the guy pull I'm telling the guy right away.

My thoughts exactly. Pulling someone’s pin release over a parking spot dispute is a criminal action. Granted, the driver who cut in on the parking spot was a total jerk, but like Bobcat said, someone could have gotten killed or hurt as a result of the retaliation.

In this case, I would have spoken up if I had seen it happen.

The other thing is, if you leave your truck, even for a short time, get in the habit of checking that release handle before climbing back in the cab. And do a tug test every time. You never know who is lurking.

I’d say something to driver 2 if I saw it happen. Or take a photo of driver 1 pulling the pin and then call the cops.

What YouTube channel was this on Bruce? I’m curious to watch it.

What YouTube channel was this on Bruce? I’m curious to watch it.

I’ll go back and try to find it. Hopefully I can post a link to it.

A lot of fault on both sides here.

If the truck stop has security camera video might see driver 1 pulling the release lever. I would report it to the police.

Driver 2 should have checked his equipment before “taking off”. My trainer instilled this in me during our time together. He told me that some joker pulled his release arm once, but he caught it in a walk around.

Driver 2’s company would likely view the dropped trailer as his fault

Yes, there are drivers out there that will pull that pin just to screw you over. Get into the habit of doing a good walk around the truck before you get back going. Another think you can do is set the trailer brakes first then pull forward a tiny bit to put pressure on the 5th wheel. Then set the tractor brakes. Even superman would have a hard time pulling that pin handle.

This right here… place tension on the fifth wheel lock making it impossible to release it.

Totally 100% agree!

Yes, there are drivers out there that will pull that pin just to screw you over. Get into the habit of doing a good walk around the truck before you get back going. Another think you can do is set the trailer brakes first then pull forward a tiny bit to put pressure on the 5th wheel. Then set the tractor brakes. Even superman would have a hard time pulling that pin handle.

I always do a tug test after stopping. That would have prevented the accident. Simple.