APPLY TO VARIANT HERE IF YOU HAVE MINIMUM 3 MONTHS TRUCKING EXPERIENCE (note that my company will call you with a 423-###-#### to follow up on your application)⬇ ambassadors.drivevariant.com/ambassador/a004 WATCH FULL VIDEOS HERE ▶ th-cam.com/play/PLqb3r_qeRLL7d61kF72wrlbbYrzXqb2Xq.html AT 1 MILLION SUBS I GO TO INDIA & YOU CONTROL EVERYTHING I DO THERE BY VOTING SO SUBSCRIBE ▶ th-cam.com/channels/5NT5DADrZ4LWBkr-5XVAaA.html JOIN DISCORD, GRILL, FRIDGE/STUFF FOR THE TRUCK HERE ⬇ linktr.ee/alexthetruckingguy Side note: Be aware of scammers. The real creator has their name highlighted like I do. Anyone without their username highlighted IS NOT REAL. PLZ IGNORE THE SCAMMER. 🙂
Alex take your seatbelt off whenever you have to park the truck, you going to feel more comfortable and free to move your body around the seat…. KEEP ON TRUCKING
New trucker here...! I have met a lot of awesome veteran truckers in my short time trucking who don't mind helping. I have also met some who could give a know what. They actually watch you struggle and are waiting for you to hit something. To all the veterans out there who don't mind helping and giving advise. I say thank you and keep on trucking (:
I have watched people struggle for a while before stepping in... I need to see what you are doing wrong in order to help correct it. I was a trainer for the company I worked for.
When learning a new trade/skill, EVERYONE has to start from zero. It's awesome that you're putting your learning experience...and what some might call "dumb' mistakes...out here for everyone to see. It shows confidence, it will make you a better driver and it will help others as well. Great job.
Hey Alex! Been riding along with you awhile now in my comfortable afmchair at home and enjoying the trips. I have been a professional driver in many part time jobs over the years. Law Enforcement has been my professional careers, now Retired. I have never been a semi driver, but always with amazement, watching you guys operate the big rigs with style! One thing I notice about you is your coolness under fire! Good for you Sir! That's what makes you a professional. Keep on keeping on Alex! I'll be riding along enjoying every moment! Bill NYPD Detective Retired
I'm going to say this loud and clear, kudos to the veteran driver who took the time to "mentor". I am not a trucker but in the beginning of my mechanical career, too often, veteran technicians with years of experience, treated the "rookies" like crap. I couldn't understand why at the time, but looking back perhaps they felt their jobs were being threatened. Regardless there is no excuse. Everyone needs to start somewhere. I was asked during an interview once, what I wanted to be remembered for, and I said this: That I left a lasting impression with anyone that I helped and or provided knowledge especially with my skill set. I will help anyone and teach them all I know. I too am always learning and the only way we will become better is to work together! My professor in college said there is no such thing as a dumb question, but ignorance is not asking for help or clarity. Best to you Alex!
It's easy to watch a video and be like "wow what an idiot" but in the real world we all make mistakes, so it was nice to see someone who was understanding and helped out.
I play american truck simulator and I usually try to force myself to park from cab view with mirrors only. Sometimes I get really frustrated and just ram it and alt+f4. The feeling when you can't get it right makes you want to vomit even in a game. I could never be a trucker.
Don’t give up brother. Trucking gets easier the longer you do it. Just remember everything in this industry is slow. Don’t get in a rush and be vigilant in everything you do.
I gotta say..the way you kept calm and maintained your composure when backing into that tight space was amazing. Millions of people should learn from this. You have an amazing attitude my man. Keep it up
That was nice of that dude to help. Driving a rig is not easy, with time you will be an expert driver. It's just a matter of putting in time & learning more & more as you go
Hey Alex, just wanna let you know you don’t need to get off and push the valve in, simply release the trailer brake and set it again (move back or forward) to lock the pins in place
I absolutely love your videos. You received incredible training and have put it to good use. You personify the next gen of truckers. Confident, conservative in decisions and patient in getting the job done. As a pilot, I appreciate all those skills in you and your industry. You make a positive difference.
Sure seems like you are an inspiration to other young men and women to take the OTR truck driving career path. Every job has its ups and downs, and you certainly seem very capable of dealing with them with a great sense of humor and humility.
Alex... I so enjoy your daily experiences and your reflections of everything you do. I have no experience driving a truck but drive an RV in my retirement years. Watching you, reminds me to be prepared, to be careful, courteous, and slow down. Thank you for sharing with us what you, and your colleagues, do (and teach us) every day. Grateful.
Keep doing what you're doing! Quick tip, if someone else hasn't said it already: On trailers like this one with the air release button for the tandem carriage pins, you can lock your pins back in place from the cab after you slide the tandems! If you push in your emergency/trailer air knob (supply the trailer with air), it'll generally automatically engauge the pins. Then you can either pull the trailer brakes again, or use your Johnny bar/arm to supply service air to the trailer brakes and slide/lock the tandem pins in place. Still gotta get out to check all 4 get locked in, but it'll save one trip back and forth! Give it a try! (Oh, and I promise backing gets easier!!)
One bit of advice that helps alot..at 0:34 on your maps app on your phone, if you go to the settings and switch it to satellite it helps way more. You're able to see as if you're looking down from the sky. I use it everytime I have a pickup and delivery when looking up the place. It helps big time when you're wanting to see the entrance before you just show up. Helps from accidently going in the wrong way.
Hi Alex, Love the windows down when backing up... I've been doing that for years... You're the best and so smart and intelligent ! Thank-you for all your posts ! Steve
hey man welcome to the world of trucking, I don't know if anyone told you about this but if you have a trailer with a pull pin to release the tandems like you have on this tailer you don't need to go back an push it back in after you slide them, if you release the trailer breaks and wait 30 sec to 1 min then hold the trailer break handle down you can then just move forward or back to lock the the pins back in
Glad to see that driver got out and helped you. Just a little piece of friendly advice from someone who’s been out here for a decade: don’t ever slow down like that on the on-ramp. Get to speed. A few of those trucks got over for you to get on but you practically stopped on the on-ramp haha. If you can’t get on the interstate, just ride the shoulder and then slow down if necessary, but, yeah, stopping on the on-ramp is never a good idea.
Enjoying your videos man. Try not being so nervous and cautious. When merging on the highway and interstate, you really shouldn't be slowing down and stopping. Get your speed up to better match the flow of traffic. They will get out of your way or slow down a little to let you in. You would have fit in that Walmart just fine, those other trucks made it. And when you need to take wide turns, try staying straight in to the intersection then cutting your turn. When you angle your turn to early, your trailer starts following sooner. I really like your videos, good stuff buddy. Keep truckin'!
Your most def a more skilled trucker I’d presume but surely the act of not being cautious and pulling out at traffic speed in hope they slow or move for you shouldn’t be a thing a new trucker does surely? Yes after years when ur skilled maybe a bit of the moody but surely not him you can see he is not 110 behind the wheel
@@dickmuffback5200 stop on highway on ramp how many cars line up behind him? Should’ve been hitting 45 at least or more being empty. If a truck or car can’t move over then slow down a bit and fall in behind. Better then causing a pileup merging onto freeway from 5 mph.
@@bettymartinez2415 I'm a professional driver and trainer. He sucks. He'll probably be a better driver if he pays attention instead of making youtube videos. I've been hit by 3 semi-truck drivers because they couldn't make quick decisions
39:25 here is a pro tip from your virtual trainer. When you have to stop at where the road is at a sharp angle to traffic that has the right-of-way, keep left, then turn right while still staying largely in your lane. The idea is that you are positioned with the front of the truck at a right angle to the road you are about to turn in to. Being positioned like that gives you a view of the road to your right and avoids having traffic approach you in your sleeper's blind spot. It's another instance where your driving has to make up for the short-comings of the traffic engineers.
My father drove a big rig thru 80s and 90s. He took me a few times when I was very young and always thought it was super cool to be so high up. I remember he had a 14 inch black and white and a nudey magazine under his bed. The trucks look like little homes on wheels. Very nice.
I've had this happen to me before and I ended blocking the only exit out of obetz Ohio for at least 2hrs. Luckily no one really had to leave but the embarrassment I felt was on another level
Don't feel bad Samuel. We all gotta learn somewhere/sometime! In really tight situations, it's always nice for another driver to get out and spot another driver, to get parked/docked! Makes everybody smile! Peace out.
He needs to see these comments! It's super dangerous. Just use the ramp to get to highway speeds. Other trucks/cars will move for you just keep your blinker on all the way down the ramp if you need to. If they don't move just ride the break down lane and push your way in lol
I was thinking the same. Cause if you mis judge the incoming traffic at a 0 speed and attempt to accelerate to the flow of traffic, then you are putting yourself and those traveling in a risky situation.
Boy does this bring back memories of myself backing when I first started out 40 years ago. The more you do it the easier it gets. Alex you should number your videos so we can follow in order just a thought. Nice back job my boy. Stay safe.
Boy do you have a long way to go but I see you realizing some of your mistakes and you seem like a really nice person Alex don’t let your frustrations get the better of you and always remember to be calm and everything will work out okay
This is 1 reason why I loved my 10-month College fully Credited CDL Training Program with Job Placement. They teach you pretty much everything & then you do it all hands on. What many people know is that there's federal grants that pay 100% of your training. Nothing like these "get your CDL in 4 weeks" kinda thing. When you graduate, you'll have an X Endorsement with HazMat, doubles, triples, heavy & wide loads.
Mentioned it before, but when you stop you only want to pull the parking brake not the trailer brakes. Unless your on an incline or backed into the dock. Im relatively new but they stressed that so much in training. Its a bad habit to get into, especially because if you get into colder weather the spring brakes can get frozen into place and you might not notice or set your brakes on fire trying to drag em (although that should only happen if you arent doing proper pti’s) so you’ll be stuck in place until they unfreeze. Edit: also thats why your running out of air so much. You keep releasing it all evacuating the trailer lines. Hold your thumb on the red to hold it in place and pull the yellow parking with your fingers.
When parking Brotha leave the trailer brakes released and let the parking brake out. That may be the reason you’re losing so much air, when I started out I used to do the same thing. And I learned the hard way. Just a little tip from trucker to trucker man. Stay safe out there
Don’t worry about the backing too much, even experienced drivers have bad days with it. As long as you don’t hit anything, who cares. Time is usually cheaper than property damage. While I agree, it is dangerous merging from a slow speed or stop… several drivers need to be honest about their following distance. Which would give them more space and time to see you trying to merge from the on-ramp. Everybody’s trying to focus on making their way through the pack, instead of managing the space around them. Your tractor may have an air leak if it’s running out that quickly. And using google maps is great, but also consider using the streetview. You can read signs for the shipper/receiver, and more importantly overhead clearance signs, local road truck restriction signs etc. Careful using GPS on local secondary roads, they’re not always updated with local restrictions.
This video was so interesting I had to come back and watch it 3 times because I kept getting phone calls lol finally finished watching it hey I'm long haul driver out of fresno ca.and your videos are so calm & peaceful something I lost along the way but finding it again thanks to you 😊💙
Hey Alex when you release the trailer brakes the pins automatically go back out you dont have to press valve back on. Try it one day. Keep up the videos homie
@@lukegray3169 you see my pic? That's a 10 year old pic im 45 . I've driven 1.5 million safe miles. He's a nice guy but he's a danger merging into the highway
@@alsherrod1 how in the world is he a danger! He drives a humongous vehicle all day, made no accidents, and can drive better than most people with a car or truck on the highway.
I just found you and subscribed with the bell on. You have the nicest most interesting personality. I really like how you pretty much keep talking to us about what is on your mind. And I mostly love your cute adorable laugh, chuckle. Thanks for posting on TH-cam, You are Interesting and Fun!
51 minutes video feels like 5 minutes video only those who’s trying to join trucking industry 😅😅😅❤❤❤ Special thanks to Alex 🙏 keep it up bro you’ll reach your goals soon!
just a word of advice don't ever get on an interstate when you're at a complete stop As soon as you start getting on you accelerate use the right shoulder if you have to You can cause an accident that way getting on from a complete stop Stay safe driver
I noticed this and it scared me. He is learning but whoever taught him had to have not only noticed this but covered it in day 1! He’s a great guy, and will do amazing! Good to see youngsters more than capable and confident enough to get into this at 23 yrs old in todays world.
Bruh!! Chill. You ain’t mastered nothing.. maybe comfortable. Talk to the men and woman with multiple stops in major cities with very very tight surroundings.
I’ve helped numerous people back in, including backing one guy’s truck in which in hindsight was a terrible idea. It goes back to the “teach a man to fish” concept. A lot of old heads don’t like the new breed but they’re the future so let’s make that future better by helping out when we can.
Trucker from the uk here,reversing and manoeuvring will come with time and experience.give yourself time.the more you do it the better it gets.the hardest of situations will give you the most skills,driving up n down the highway will never really make you a better driver
It surely changes the pivot point. When the tandems are slid forward, WATCH YOUR OVERHANG, so as to not catch anything with that outside rear corner of the trailer. Don't know why I'm bringing this up!! Lol! "Eagle Claw" on the side.
Love the fact you put the video up and take advice and again as time go one it gets easier every one can talk like they are the perfect driver in the world but yet even then their really not
Alex I'm also a truck driver ,but idk if you know this or not ,but make sure you download truckers path it comes in handy alot when your otr . Just helping you out man . Keep up the hard work your doing a great job
Alex, you don’t have to get out to push the air button on the tandems. All you do is push the red button in and the tandem button goes in by itself. Then you pull the trailer brake lever to set your pins in.
Basically correct, the red thing is the trailer brakes/air supply and the hand brake thing is called a trolly valve. You push the trailer brakes back in to supply air, hold/pull the trolly valve and than gently tug forward until you hear the clang/pop if the pins popping out.
I'm at 27:30 in the video and it seems counterintuitive, but this is possibly one time that sliding your tandems all the way BACK to back into that inside dock might work better. This would help you bring the front of the trailer around straight faster plus you don't have to worry about the swing of the back of the trailer--you just have to drive the tandems into the door opening. Overall, your setup problem was that the trailer had too much angle when you were close to the doorway, so you need to sweep the trailer around from further away so that it would be closer to perpendicular to the wall when you were further away from the opening. When you are in a tight space and you need to get the back of the trailer over to your passenger side, but there's something in the way on the passenger side (like another trailer or this doorway), having the tandems all the way back works better. I used this trick on probably one out of every 30 or so times I back into a dock or space.
I ve been driving 35 years . I ve seen a lot of new drivers . You need to remember fast hands , slow backing . Also set your mirrors to see the last 2 feet of your trailer corners . You could ve made the Walmart too . Always get your food because you never want to be stuck w o water or something to eat . Relax too . 😁
If you keep loosing air pressure you have an issue. Find a safe spot pull it over turn you motor off get out walk around your truck and trailer listen for air leaking. Be safe Alex no load is worth your life.
Alex - I’ve never driven a truck but I have mentored young engineer right out of college … have a couple of suggestions … find a more experienced trucker and get some cones. Go to an empty parking lot with the more experienced driver and setup some scenarios regarding dock situations and practice with the more experienced driver. You are merging like a 16 year old onto the freeways … you are not driving a corvette … never stop on an on ramp … judge where you want to merge and accelerate … too hard to accelerate from a standing stop
Another think that can help you try parking without your seat belt so you don’t feel stuck sitting and you can lean forward looking at your side mirrors or stick your head out the driver window that what helps me I like to see the corner of my trailer then use the side mirror when I am angle to get a good view of I’ll hit the trailer hope that helps
Alex, your doing just fine. Boost up that confidence and you would do better. Take this from someone who started driving big rigs at 18. I’m now 24. You could of gotten into that Walmart if you had more confidence. A little note of mind if you see there is other big rigs in a parking lot then you will be just fine.
I had the same thought but I only experience merging in a small car with no load. As a trucker is it really the same protocol? Match speed and squeeze in? I'm not sure...but to me the change of an accident is worse the way I saw it on this video.
Hey Alex, you should almost never stop when merging onto the highway. It is dangerous because from a stop it is very hard to judge the time it would take for a vehicle to get to you, and it created not only a dangerous situation for you but everyone else behind you as well. The right thing to do in this situation if nobody lets you in, is to slow yourself down and ride the shoulder if you have to.
I drove a forklift for 17 years. Nobody trained me and I made mistakes all the time in the 1st few yrs. I always helped the struggling rookies when nobody else would. Bunch of cut throat chumps out there. Tandems are asked to be pulled back for 3 reasons. So the forklifts don't bang the plates when coming out (seen many plate welds and frames broken) and also so the forks don't gouge into the trailer floor when entering the truck. The 3rd will eliminate damage reports/repair time. I've seen too many trailers with holes in the roof near the tail, I've done a few myself, due to the tandems still in road config. When the forklifts go down into a truck with a load, we can adjust tilt and height but when the rear wheels either get to the dock floor coming out, or the trailer floor coming in, the sudden leveling of the lift truck will shoot the load skyward. If you leave the tandems forward, and have an experienced lift driver, expect the load/unload time to be long. It'll reduce the chance of damage by going slow but I've run into many drivers that are in a hurry and dgaf about the tandems. I've also worked with lift drivers that will hold a trailer at the dock longer on purpose because it's a PIA to unload a trailer with the tandems forward.
I was in a DC one time in the dock unloading when they called for the next driver. He pulled up I could see he didn't know what he was doing. In and out over steering big time in and out probably ten times. I got out walked up to his door and asked if he needed a little help.. he said his steering wasn't working right. I said can I see it for a sec. He jumped out and I put in, first shot!! Backings is easy little movements!! And he had a brand-new truck nothing wrong with it!
That’s right “don’t make it more complicated” you worry too much, be confident. You had it every time, I suggest when you’re home pull trailers and back trailers as often as possible and regardless of size it becomes second nature. It’s not the easiest but this shouldn’t be that hard for you and it’s not, I think it’s just your mind and lack of confidence. Hang in there and you’re doing good but let the worry go.
Hey, wonder why's nobody addressing running out of air while backing in? Here's few tips I've got: Alex, you pushing on the brake pedal WAAAY harder then you need to, I can hear that by the air release when you step off of it, it's air brakes, the harder you push, the more air goes out the window, it releases outside, not back in reservoir like hydraulic system, that's why you run low. SECOND tip, I've noticed it on your other videos too, you don't need to set trailer brake every time you get out to look at the back of the trailer, in fact there's no need to set them at all if you're on fairly level surface, also in the winter itcan cause brake pads to freeze to drums in a cold weather.
I could see right off where you were gonna struggle with that 90 degree back into that hole, way to get it done though. And we all started with struggles of backing in lol even now after 7 yrs I still find some places where I think I’m gonna have trouble, here is some advice for all new drivers, plan a ahead, by that I mean….. when you approach your delivery or pick up , check your area and surroundings so that you can set up for either a 45 or a 90, practice practice practice, when you in the truck stop parking lot, practice your set ups,
Your doing an awesome job here some advice when you go to lock your tandems in place you don’t have to get out move them to where you want them then push in your trailer brakes for like 2 seconds the pull the trailer brakes back out then move forward or backwards and they will lock into place without you having to get back out will save you time
Bro can you do a video of your entire truck setup especially where you have certain items and why and what's in them? The people want to know brotha! We know you're meticulous and organized so help us out! Appreciate your fun and positive vids brotha!
33:00 - you should be able to put air supply back to the trailer and it will extend the pins to lock the tandems back on that trailer. Then hold your trailer brake paddle and verify the pins are locked. Before heading back out on the highway, I visually inspect all 4 pins to verify they are locked.
That's okay even though nobody likes to be late on a delivery. this is not a job that you can hurry in any way shape or form and if you try to hurry in this job you will end up in trouble at some point. Continue to have the attitude you have and be patient. And the most important be safe.
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Alex is a terrible driver. Please do not take any driving techniques from him.
@@alsherrod1 bro chillax😂
Alex take your seatbelt off whenever you have to park the truck, you going to feel more comfortable and free to move your body around the seat…. KEEP ON TRUCKING
@@alsherrod1 Everyone has to start from somewhere. And you shouldn't put your low self-esteem on display like that.
Thanks Alex nice video
New trucker here...! I have met a lot of awesome veteran truckers in my short time trucking who don't mind helping. I have also met some who could give a know what. They actually watch you struggle and are waiting for you to hit something. To all the veterans out there who don't mind helping and giving advise. I say thank you and keep on trucking (:
I have watched people struggle for a while before stepping in... I need to see what you are doing wrong in order to help correct it. I was a trainer for the company I worked for.
Yea there's good truckers and a lot of haters one too that don't like seeing other people succeed
@@chicharrontownbizz-valley9967 thats the truth my company has a hand full of both and it makes me thankful for the good ones.
@@jjjk24 I feel it bro don't let the negative people bring you down show them with your hard work that you can do it as well
When learning a new trade/skill, EVERYONE has to start from zero. It's awesome that you're putting your learning experience...and what some might call "dumb' mistakes...out here for everyone to see. It shows confidence, it will make you a better driver and it will help others as well. Great job.
doesnt show confidence it shows skills that could possibly kill somebody dont record this bullshit
Experience is what you get, when you DON'T get what you wanted!
...the best definition of 'experience' I ever heard.
It warms my heart to see another trucker helping
Hey Alex! Been riding along with you awhile now in my comfortable afmchair at home and enjoying the trips. I have been a professional driver in many part time jobs over the years. Law Enforcement has been my professional careers, now Retired. I have never been a semi driver, but always with amazement, watching you guys operate the big rigs with style! One thing I notice about you is your coolness under fire! Good for you Sir! That's what makes you a professional. Keep on keeping on Alex! I'll be riding along enjoying every moment! Bill NYPD Detective Retired
I'm going to say this loud and clear, kudos to the veteran driver who took the time to "mentor". I am not a trucker but in the beginning of my mechanical career, too often, veteran technicians with years of experience, treated the "rookies" like crap. I couldn't understand why at the time, but looking back perhaps they felt their jobs were being threatened. Regardless there is no excuse. Everyone needs to start somewhere. I was asked during an interview once, what I wanted to be remembered for, and I said this: That I left a lasting impression with anyone that I helped and or provided knowledge especially with my skill set. I will help anyone and teach them all I know. I too am always learning and the only way we will become better is to work together! My professor in college said there is no such thing as a dumb question, but ignorance is not asking for help or clarity. Best to you Alex!
It's easy to watch a video and be like "wow what an idiot" but in the real world we all make mistakes, so it was nice to see someone who was understanding and helped out.
I play american truck simulator and I usually try to force myself to park from cab view with mirrors only. Sometimes I get really frustrated and just ram it and alt+f4. The feeling when you can't get it right makes you want to vomit even in a game. I could never be a trucker.
A 51 minute Alex the trucking guy video?? Nice dude keep making your blogs this long or even record an entire trip for us.
@Dennis-.Spurlingill message the support team to get that account banned instead
Don’t give up brother. Trucking gets easier the longer you do it. Just remember everything in this industry is slow. Don’t get in a rush and be vigilant in everything you do.
I gotta say..the way you kept calm and maintained your composure when backing into that tight space was amazing. Millions of people should learn from this. You have an amazing attitude my man. Keep it up
That was nice of that dude to help. Driving a rig is not easy, with time you will be an expert driver. It's just a matter of putting in time & learning more & more as you go
Hey Alex, just wanna let you know you don’t need to get off and push the valve in, simply release the trailer brake and set it again (move back or forward) to lock the pins in place
It took me 1 year to learn this lol
Who trained this guy???
@@alsherrod1 who trained you? Assuming you are a trucker
I used this trick but the trailer I run now doesn't let me do that. I have to get out and press it in.
Good on that other driver for offering advice/assistance, more of that brotherhood is needed from time to time
You are proof that our next gen can work hard, and care! Thanks!
I absolutely love your videos. You received incredible training and have put it to good use. You personify the next gen of truckers. Confident, conservative in decisions and patient in getting the job done. As a pilot, I appreciate all those skills in you and your industry. You make a positive difference.
Sure seems like you are an inspiration to other young men and women to take the OTR truck driving career path. Every job has its ups and downs, and you certainly seem very capable of dealing with them with a great sense of humor and humility.
Respect to the person who stopped to help you out : )
Alex... I so enjoy your daily experiences and your reflections of everything you do. I have no experience driving a truck but drive an RV in my retirement years. Watching you, reminds me to be prepared, to be careful, courteous, and slow down. Thank you for sharing with us what you, and your colleagues, do (and teach us) every day. Grateful.
Keep doing what you're doing! Quick tip, if someone else hasn't said it already: On trailers like this one with the air release button for the tandem carriage pins, you can lock your pins back in place from the cab after you slide the tandems! If you push in your emergency/trailer air knob (supply the trailer with air), it'll generally automatically engauge the pins. Then you can either pull the trailer brakes again, or use your Johnny bar/arm to supply service air to the trailer brakes and slide/lock the tandem pins in place. Still gotta get out to check all 4 get locked in, but it'll save one trip back and forth! Give it a try! (Oh, and I promise backing gets easier!!)
One bit of advice that helps alot..at 0:34 on your maps app on your phone, if you go to the settings and switch it to satellite it helps way more. You're able to see as if you're looking down from the sky. I use it everytime I have a pickup and delivery when looking up the place. It helps big time when you're wanting to see the entrance before you just show up. Helps from accidently going in the wrong way.
I use it faithfully.
Thank you for the full length film. I loved it. Thank you to the other driver for helping you out. Well you be safe and can’t wait for the next film…
Hi Alex,
Love the windows down when backing up... I've been doing that for years...
You're the best and so smart and intelligent !
Thank-you for all your posts !
Steve
hey man welcome to the world of trucking, I don't know if anyone told you about this but if you have a trailer with a pull pin to release the tandems like you have on this tailer you don't need to go back an push it back in after you slide them, if you release the trailer breaks and wait 30 sec to 1 min then hold the trailer break handle down you can then just move forward or back to lock the the pins back in
Glad to see that driver got out and helped you. Just a little piece of friendly advice from someone who’s been out here for a decade: don’t ever slow down like that on the on-ramp. Get to speed. A few of those trucks got over for you to get on but you practically stopped on the on-ramp haha. If you can’t get on the interstate, just ride the shoulder and then slow down if necessary, but, yeah, stopping on the on-ramp is never a good idea.
Most truckers won’t help anybody kudos to this guy
Enjoying your videos man. Try not being so nervous and cautious. When merging on the highway and interstate, you really shouldn't be slowing down and stopping. Get your speed up to better match the flow of traffic. They will get out of your way or slow down a little to let you in. You would have fit in that Walmart just fine, those other trucks made it. And when you need to take wide turns, try staying straight in to the intersection then cutting your turn. When you angle your turn to early, your trailer starts following sooner. I really like your videos, good stuff buddy. Keep truckin'!
True that you just need to step on the gas and everyone will get out of the way nobody wants to merge into a semi
Your most def a more skilled trucker I’d presume but surely the act of not being cautious and pulling out at traffic speed in hope they slow or move for you shouldn’t be a thing a new trucker does surely? Yes after years when ur skilled maybe a bit of the moody but surely not him you can see he is not 110 behind the wheel
@@dickmuffback5200 stop on highway on ramp how many cars line up behind him? Should’ve been hitting 45 at least or more being empty. If a truck or car can’t move over then slow down a bit and fall in behind. Better then causing a pileup merging onto freeway from 5 mph.
I absolutely love this drivers videos he is pleasant to watch and is not afraid to admit when he screws up Get r done driver 😊
His screw up can lead to someone's death
I like this guy but he's not a good commercial driver at all. US EXPRESS needs to stop him
@@alsherrod1 oh go away
@@bettymartinez2415 I'm a professional driver and trainer. He sucks. He'll probably be a better driver if he pays attention instead of making youtube videos. I've been hit by 3 semi-truck drivers because they couldn't make quick decisions
Love the long videos! Glad to see the channel is growing!!!
39:25 here is a pro tip from your virtual trainer. When you have to stop at where the road is at a sharp angle to traffic that has the right-of-way, keep left, then turn right while still staying largely in your lane. The idea is that you are positioned with the front of the truck at a right angle to the road you are about to turn in to.
Being positioned like that gives you a view of the road to your right and avoids having traffic approach you in your sleeper's blind spot. It's another instance where your driving has to make up for the short-comings of the traffic engineers.
My father drove a big rig thru 80s and 90s. He took me a few times when I was very young and always thought it was super cool to be so high up. I remember he had a 14 inch black and white and a nudey magazine under his bed. The trucks look like little homes on wheels. Very nice.
Made my day again man, love the long vids
I've had this happen to me before and I ended blocking the only exit out of obetz Ohio for at least 2hrs. Luckily no one really had to leave but the embarrassment I felt was on another level
Don't feel bad Samuel. We all gotta learn somewhere/sometime! In really tight situations, it's always nice for another driver to get out and spot another driver, to get parked/docked! Makes everybody smile! Peace out.
I love that truck, it looks comfy and feels like it has a soft cruise
Keep up the hard work and stay positive bud
How would you not stay positive?
@@nobull4414 calm down
@@nobull4414 he's a terrible commercial driver.
Alex. You need more training
@@alsherrod1 can you even drive?
I can’t believe you stopped on a merge on to a highway😅😅😅😅😅
That’s very dangerous. Keep driving and they will let you in.
He needs to see these comments! It's super dangerous. Just use the ramp to get to highway speeds. Other trucks/cars will move for you just keep your blinker on all the way down the ramp if you need to. If they don't move just ride the break down lane and push your way in lol
@@deebly_goncerned thank you for your comment. We have to think quickly. We are the professional drivers.
🇭🇲💯👍
You suppose to stop on a merge wtf I haven’t even watch the video but about to watch it now. Y’all are the drivers everyone have to watch out for…
I was thinking the same. Cause if you mis judge the incoming traffic at a 0 speed and attempt to accelerate to the flow of traffic, then you are putting yourself and those traveling in a risky situation.
Boy does this bring back memories of myself backing when I first started out 40 years ago. The more you do it the easier it gets. Alex you should number your videos so we can follow in order just a thought. Nice back job my boy. Stay safe.
Boy do you have a long way to go but I see you realizing some of your mistakes and you seem like a really nice person Alex don’t let your frustrations get the better of you and always remember to be calm and everything will work out okay
This is 1 reason why I loved my 10-month College fully Credited CDL Training Program with Job Placement. They teach you pretty much everything & then you do it all hands on.
What many people know is that there's federal grants that pay 100% of your training. Nothing like these "get your CDL in 4 weeks" kinda thing. When you graduate, you'll have an X Endorsement with HazMat, doubles, triples, heavy & wide loads.
I did the same thing. Never regretted it. Hands-down the best CDL truck driving school is usually like the one you mention.
Mentioned it before, but when you stop you only want to pull the parking brake not the trailer brakes.
Unless your on an incline or backed into the dock. Im relatively new but they stressed that so much in training. Its a bad habit to get into, especially because if you get into colder weather the spring brakes can get frozen into place and you might not notice or set your brakes on fire trying to drag em (although that should only happen if you arent doing proper pti’s) so you’ll be stuck in place until they unfreeze.
Edit: also thats why your running out of air so much. You keep releasing it all evacuating the trailer lines.
Hold your thumb on the red to hold it in place and pull the yellow parking with your fingers.
When parking Brotha leave the trailer brakes released and let the parking brake out. That may be the reason you’re losing so much air, when I started out I used to do the same thing. And I learned the hard way. Just a little tip from trucker to trucker man. Stay safe out there
Don’t worry about the backing too much, even experienced drivers have bad days with it. As long as you don’t hit anything, who cares. Time is usually cheaper than property damage.
While I agree, it is dangerous merging from a slow speed or stop… several drivers need to be honest about their following distance. Which would give them more space and time to see you trying to merge from the on-ramp. Everybody’s trying to focus on making their way through the pack, instead of managing the space around them.
Your tractor may have an air leak if it’s running out that quickly.
And using google maps is great, but also consider using the streetview. You can read signs for the shipper/receiver, and more importantly overhead clearance signs, local road truck restriction signs etc. Careful using GPS on local secondary roads, they’re not always updated with local restrictions.
This video was so interesting I had to come back and watch it 3 times because I kept getting phone calls lol finally finished watching it hey I'm long haul driver out of fresno ca.and your videos are so calm & peaceful something I lost along the way but finding it again thanks to you 😊💙
Hey Alex when you release the trailer brakes the pins automatically go back out you dont have to press valve back on. Try it one day. Keep up the videos homie
Live and learn Alex. Been there done that. Don't listen to the negative comments but learn from it and you'll be a great professional driver.
Love your videos man keep up the hard work man motivated me to get my cdl
He definitely has an optimistic attitude and it's awesome!
He's a nice guy but he's a terrible driver
@@alsherrod1 Not like you could do any better. Doubt your even 18
@@lukegray3169 you see my pic? That's a 10 year old pic im 45 . I've driven 1.5 million safe miles. He's a nice guy but he's a danger merging into the highway
@@alsherrod1 how in the world is he a danger! He drives a humongous vehicle all day, made no accidents, and can drive better than most people with a car or truck on the highway.
never be ashamed to ask for help. we all were rookies at one point.
Man when first started. I was at a warehouse half my work shift trying back up a 53 footer. I feel your pain
I just found you and subscribed with the bell on. You have the nicest most interesting personality. I really like how you pretty much keep talking to us about what is on your mind. And I mostly love your cute adorable laugh, chuckle. Thanks for posting on TH-cam, You are Interesting and Fun!
Love how you show what daily life is really like on the road and what it takes to drive a Semi.
51 minutes video feels like 5 minutes video only those who’s trying to join trucking industry 😅😅😅❤❤❤
Special thanks to Alex 🙏 keep it up bro you’ll reach your goals soon!
That's the way it should be, helping others out
Sweet dude you were close. Demottes like 15 min away from my folks farm. Keep up the vids dude. I'm trying to get into trucking myself and these help.
just a word of advice don't ever get on an interstate when you're at a complete stop As soon as you start getting on you accelerate use the right shoulder if you have to You can cause an accident that way getting on from a complete stop Stay safe driver
I noticed this and it scared me. He is learning but whoever taught him had to have not only noticed this but covered it in day 1! He’s a great guy, and will do amazing! Good to see youngsters more than capable and confident enough to get into this at 23 yrs old in todays world.
Will do
Keep your head up bro it took me 3 months to fully mastered backing.
Bruh!! Chill. You ain’t mastered nothing.. maybe comfortable. Talk to the men and woman with multiple stops in major cities with very very tight surroundings.
I’ve helped numerous people back in, including backing one guy’s truck in which in hindsight was a terrible idea. It goes back to the “teach a man to fish” concept.
A lot of old heads don’t like the new breed but they’re the future so let’s make that future better by helping out when we can.
Trucker and farming videos are my new found addiction 😂 you and @Riding with Dave are definitely my favorites out of the trucking channels
I would love a small town , within driving distance to the stores , but go back home in the country. Or up in the mountains
It’s good to see you got your cameras all set up before you figured out how to operate the truck.
Trucker from the uk here,reversing and manoeuvring will come with time and experience.give yourself time.the more you do it the better it gets.the hardest of situations will give you the most skills,driving up n down the highway will never really make you a better driver
Remember your pivot points on tandems. You can change the overhang by sliding and difference of how much room for the swing you need to do
It surely changes the pivot point. When the tandems are slid forward, WATCH YOUR OVERHANG, so as to not catch anything with that outside rear corner of the trailer. Don't know why I'm bringing this up!! Lol!
"Eagle Claw" on the side.
Thanks for another video my boy !
Love the fact you put the video up and take advice and again as time go one it gets easier every one can talk like they are the perfect driver in the world but yet even then their really not
Keep on keeping on my man. With time will come more and more confidence and familiarity 👍🏻👍🏻🙂
Alex I'm also a truck driver ,but idk if you know this or not ,but make sure you download truckers path it comes in handy alot when your otr . Just helping you out man . Keep up the hard work your doing a great job
Best trucking app out there. It still needs a couple tweaks, but it's as solid as they come.
Alex, you don’t have to get out to push the air button on the tandems. All you do is push the red button in and the tandem button goes in by itself. Then you pull the trailer brake lever to set your pins in.
Basically correct, the red thing is the trailer brakes/air supply and the hand brake thing is called a trolly valve.
You push the trailer brakes back in to supply air, hold/pull the trolly valve and than gently tug forward until you hear the clang/pop if the pins popping out.
@@fettolehart well yeah that’s what I meant. Sorry. You pull the brake lever and tug back or forward to lock the tandems.
@@18wheeler77 i was just clarifying the actual terms/names for everyone :)
Thank you for loving our area
A bit of advice from a fellow trucker, use the ramp to get up to speed dont stop on it to merge. Speed is your friend when merging with traffic.
love your personality and videos! love the endless curiousity about life- keep up the great work
Props to the veteran driver!
Never stop on an entrance ramp. Match speed and merge.
I'm at 27:30 in the video and it seems counterintuitive, but this is possibly one time that sliding your tandems all the way BACK to back into that inside dock might work better. This would help you bring the front of the trailer around straight faster plus you don't have to worry about the swing of the back of the trailer--you just have to drive the tandems into the door opening. Overall, your setup problem was that the trailer had too much angle when you were close to the doorway, so you need to sweep the trailer around from further away so that it would be closer to perpendicular to the wall when you were further away from the opening.
When you are in a tight space and you need to get the back of the trailer over to your passenger side, but there's something in the way on the passenger side (like another trailer or this doorway), having the tandems all the way back works better. I used this trick on probably one out of every 30 or so times I back into a dock or space.
TIL driving a truck is way harder and much more demanding than I thought. Us car people owe them courtesy and predictability on our shared roads.
Thank you for understanding Larry. Appreciate you sir.
ALEX!!!! A 51 min video!!! FREAKING AWESOME 🎉🎉🎉🎉
I ve been driving 35 years . I ve seen a lot of new drivers . You need to remember fast hands , slow backing . Also set your mirrors to see the last 2 feet of your trailer corners . You could ve made the Walmart too . Always get your food because you never want to be stuck w o water or something to eat . Relax too . 😁
Finally a selfie angle !!! Love the videos Alex
Like the way you talked through your thinking on that dock.
If you keep loosing air pressure you have an issue. Find a safe spot pull it over turn you motor off get out walk around your truck and trailer listen for air leaking. Be safe Alex no load is worth your life.
The young Ray Romano of trucking.
Alex - I’ve never driven a truck but I have mentored young engineer right out of college … have a couple of suggestions … find a more experienced trucker and get some cones. Go to an empty parking lot with the more experienced driver and setup some scenarios regarding dock situations and practice with the more experienced driver. You are merging like a 16 year old onto the freeways … you are not driving a corvette … never stop on an on ramp … judge where you want to merge and accelerate … too hard to accelerate from a standing stop
What a great Attitude . Keep doing what you do
Another think that can help you try parking without your seat belt so you don’t feel stuck sitting and you can lean forward looking at your side mirrors or stick your head out the driver window that what helps me I like to see the corner of my trailer then use the side mirror when I am angle to get a good view of I’ll hit the trailer hope that helps
Very good video Alex the end was pretty good hope you were able to relax a bit after a mellow day
Alex, your doing just fine. Boost up that confidence and you would do better. Take this from someone who started driving big rigs at 18. I’m now 24. You could of gotten into that Walmart if you had more confidence. A little note of mind if you see there is other big rigs in a parking lot then you will be just fine.
Merging on to the highway the way you did, is actually super dangerous
LMAO exactly. What the F was that
@@marko_s1000r what should he have done different?
Was thinking the same thing.
@@boomer9341 you want to try and match the speed of traffic by the time you merge. When you’re going that slow you become a hazard.
I had the same thought but I only experience merging in a small car with no load. As a trucker is it really the same protocol? Match speed and squeeze in? I'm not sure...but to me the change of an accident is worse the way I saw it on this video.
Videos are getting better 😃👍🏼 finally we see what’s w trucking 😂
Hey Alex, you should almost never stop when merging onto the highway. It is dangerous because from a stop it is very hard to judge the time it would take for a vehicle to get to you, and it created not only a dangerous situation for you but everyone else behind you as well. The right thing to do in this situation if nobody lets you in, is to slow yourself down and ride the shoulder if you have to.
I was literally screaming “what are you doing!! what are you doing!!” while watching that. 😮
😂😂 signal and keep it pushing , I hate when cars go slow as hell merging onto highway/freeway
I drove a forklift for 17 years. Nobody trained me and I made mistakes all the time in the 1st few yrs. I always helped the struggling rookies when nobody else would. Bunch of cut throat chumps out there. Tandems are asked to be pulled back for 3 reasons. So the forklifts don't bang the plates when coming out (seen many plate welds and frames broken) and also so the forks don't gouge into the trailer floor when entering the truck. The 3rd will eliminate damage reports/repair time. I've seen too many trailers with holes in the roof near the tail, I've done a few myself, due to the tandems still in road config. When the forklifts go down into a truck with a load, we can adjust tilt and height but when the rear wheels either get to the dock floor coming out, or the trailer floor coming in, the sudden leveling of the lift truck will shoot the load skyward. If you leave the tandems forward, and have an experienced lift driver, expect the load/unload time to be long. It'll reduce the chance of damage by going slow but I've run into many drivers that are in a hurry and dgaf about the tandems. I've also worked with lift drivers that will hold a trailer at the dock longer on purpose because it's a PIA to unload a trailer with the tandems forward.
I was in a DC one time in the dock unloading when they called for the next driver. He pulled up I could see he didn't know what he was doing. In and out over steering big time in and out probably ten times. I got out walked up to his door and asked if he needed a little help.. he said his steering wasn't working right. I said can I see it for a sec. He jumped out and I put in, first shot!! Backings is easy little movements!! And he had a brand-new truck nothing wrong with it!
Confidence Alex! Backing is an art and you are an artist! Keep the rubber on the road! Safe travels!
That’s right “don’t make it more complicated” you worry too much, be confident. You had it every time, I suggest when you’re home pull trailers and back trailers as often as possible and regardless of size it becomes second nature. It’s not the easiest but this shouldn’t be that hard for you and it’s not, I think it’s just your mind and lack of confidence. Hang in there and you’re doing good but let the worry go.
As Alex mentioned at 15:26 "...and everything is a highway...", Tom Cochrane's song, Life Is A Highway started playing in my head.
Hey, wonder why's nobody addressing running out of air while backing in? Here's few tips I've got: Alex, you pushing on the brake pedal WAAAY harder then you need to, I can hear that by the air release when you step off of it, it's air brakes, the harder you push, the more air goes out the window, it releases outside, not back in reservoir like hydraulic system, that's why you run low. SECOND tip, I've noticed it on your other videos too, you don't need to set trailer brake every time you get out to look at the back of the trailer, in fact there's no need to set them at all if you're on fairly level surface, also in the winter itcan cause brake pads to freeze to drums in a cold weather.
Yeah, and easy on the steering wheel. Biggest mistake is overturning the wheel, it takes practice but you’ll get the hang of it.
this is gonna be a good long video! time to have sone popcorn and relax
😂😂😂
I’ve never driven a truck or probably ever will but I feel for anyone stuck in one of these positions. Especially on a busy road.
It takes the patience of a monk sometimes.
I could see right off where you were gonna struggle with that 90 degree back into that hole, way to get it done though. And we all started with struggles of backing in lol even now after 7 yrs I still find some places where I think I’m gonna have trouble, here is some advice for all new drivers, plan a ahead, by that I mean….. when you approach your delivery or pick up , check your area and surroundings so that you can set up for either a 45 or a 90, practice practice practice, when you in the truck stop parking lot, practice your set ups,
Your doing an awesome job here some advice when you go to lock your tandems in place you don’t have to get out move them to where you want them then push in your trailer brakes for like 2 seconds the pull the trailer brakes back out then move forward or backwards and they will lock into place without you having to get back out will save you time
Bro can you do a video of your entire truck setup especially where you have certain items and why and what's in them? The people want to know brotha! We know you're meticulous and organized so help us out! Appreciate your fun and positive vids brotha!
33:00 - you should be able to put air supply back to the trailer and it will extend the pins to lock the tandems back on that trailer. Then hold your trailer brake paddle and verify the pins are locked. Before heading back out on the highway, I visually inspect all 4 pins to verify they are locked.
I am considering getting my CDL and becoming a truck driver and your videos are very informative
That's okay even though nobody likes to be late on a delivery. this is not a job that you can hurry in any way shape or form and if you try to hurry in this job you will end up in trouble at some point. Continue to have the attitude you have and be patient. And the most important be safe.