Man I'd love to meet this guy.. I like his 4 wheeler videos. They piss me off soooo much.. Like today, this guy coming off an exit ramp flipped me the bird because I wasn't able to merge into the left lane to let him through because I had a car on that side. He speeds up hitting the rumble strip & slows down to about 45 on a 70 mph just to flip me the bird. Drive safe truckers!
Did you read about that trucker on the Jersey Pike a few years ago that had his pellet gun hooked up to his air compressor and was shooting out the back windows of 4 wheelers that cut him off? Classic! Illegal, but classic. Dave
Enjoy your information. As always you take the words right out of my mouth. ( Plus much more entertaining than watching these young super TH-camr truckers videos ) :)
Yeah, I don't get some of that super Utuber trucker stuff. I'm too old maybe. Trucker Josh seems like a likeable guy, but the rest of them? I don't get it. Dave
buy the little, rest area and truck stop book at the truck stops. It shows places on the road to park, between city's. There are some pull offs not listed, like going through New Mexico on I-25. I pencil in the missing pull off mile markers, in the book section, so I know all the options. 30 minute break, what's that ! I use off duty to strap and tarp, because it can take too much time from driving. My one complaint, is dispatch pushes us pretty hard so we can be home on the weekend ( regional driver ) . Too often I go 3 days between showers, because of the tight schedules.
Books? Yes they are available from all the major truck stop chains. The new way now is to use their app. A driver can even book a shower using the app now. Who would of thunk?
Smart move with the mile marker book! That 3 day gap between showers has gotta suck. I'd say the schedules have to change a little to allow you to live like a human being. I'd take the shower and deliver late and tell them why. Dave
I've stopped 2 or 3 hrs early prior to my 14 hr/drive clock running out, in order to ensure I get a safe place to park. Even if You tgat early, for the most part you'll get to location where you would have stopped had you kept driving those 2 or 3 hrs extra, at the same time your 10 hr reset is done.
I just use general guidelines. ~ I always park before 5 PM assuming I start early. That seems to be the last real hour to get a spot. ~ When I have one hour left on my clock I look for the nearest truckstop. ~ I use my 30 minute break to eat and stretch my legs. ~ And finally, if time allows I prefer nighttime driving. I’m able to cover more ground,, it’s safer, and it’s easy parking when I shut down in the AM. ~
Sharpen their survival skills , I like it! I thought they just didn't give a s---t about me! I like your take better! I bet there a lot of really good survivers out there! Dave
Thanks for The Info Dave.and MOST of what you said I have Found out Thru Trial & Error. But I'm ASSUMING Most of your Tips is Meant for Owner Operators ? I mean Company Drivers CANNOT DENY LOads being that they are Forced Dispatch ! I mean They CAN Turn Loads down ? But either they won't get Another Load for a Couple of days ! Or The Company will Let them Go ! And this is Just ME ! : EVERY PLACE I have been Employed I ALWAYS Tell The Recruiter there are a Few things I WILL NOT DO ! ( Before The Hire me ! ) : (a) NO NEW YORK CITY ! and That Means ALL 5 Boroughs ! and Long island ! (b) I DON'T do Flat bed ! (c) I DO NOT Put CHAINS on The Tires During Winter ! (d) I WILL STOP The TRUCK ! If I Feel It is To DANGEROUS To Drive ! And This I Learned From My Trainer 16 Hears ago,when He was PRESSURED During Winter to Keep Going ! He Told me to TELL The Company IF They want That Load ? When You FEEL It's To DANGEROUS To DRIVE ! Then TELL Them To COME GET The Trailer Themselves ! End of Story ! : NEVER FORGET Drivers : YOU ARE IN CONTROL ! NOT The COMPANY ! and Certainly NOT The *&^%ING BROKERS ! Keep on Truckin'......
Rohinton Irani I'm not trying to be ugly but there is no such thing as forced dispatch. The company cannot force you to take a load that delivers or picks up in an unsafe area, because if you tell them before hand you are not comfortable with it and go anyway and something happens they know they're liable. I also know the company can fire you but you can draw unemployment and they don't want that. I don't travel far anymore but occasionally my boss will ask me to take a longer load but he knows I don't go to New Orleans, Chicago, anywhere near New York, California, Phoenix and a few more. He doesn't ask because he knows what the answer will be, but I have tenure here and that helps.
I have worked in a lot of plants and was a skilled tradesman in some. (general machinist). Imagine if I walked in the door and started talking like that to the person who was going to hire me. Pretty demanding I would say. Safe driving everyone.
Hollow Point I'm a new driver, 4 months. I still tell my boss NO, if I dont like a load destination. My advantage is, I'm retired from the Aircraft manufacturing business and I drive for fun and play money. I dont need a trucking job... I want and like a trucking job.
Agree with everything you said. As a company driver, establish the ground rules as to what you will not do, at the pre-hire interview. Then stick to those standards. I left one company because the terminal manager that hired me, left the company after a few years and the new manager decided he didn't care for my ground rules. My rules are my rules. Period. Dave
Good question! I like the cab mount mirrors cause they vibrate less. Having said that, my trucks mirrors are door mount. I know some guys like to angle the mirror by opening the door, I never did that, I just hung out the window when backing up if I had to. Dave
Smart-Trucking.com yeah I've heard that but I've heard from some of the older drivers they like the door mount since they're closer but I've never rode in a truck with door mount mirrors so do you think they're any closer or do you notice a different
Sam O Hi. I use Google map and Instant Google Street View to find any place I have to go. I can see where is the truck entrance, the dock location, if it is tight or if there is a security guard. It says a lot about the company. I pay about $55 US/month, unlimited calls in North America, 6 Gigs. ;)
Good question! The answer is to ask around. Talk to other drivers and look for feedback from drivers on the internet to see how they were treated there. Those guys have no reason to lie. Dave
Asking at your company would be my first choice. EG. Where do our drivers usually stay? Mind you I have received a blank stare from my driver manager when I asked this question a few times. For O/O asking around would help. Like asking fellow drivers in the area by using the CB or at travel centers when you are getting close to that area.
kenton plett Hi. I use Google map and Instant Google Street View to find where is the truck entrance, the dock, if there is a security guard, if it is tight. It says a lot about the company and the area. Sometimes you can find a truck stop nearby. Maybe your cell phone will cost about $55 with 6 GB of Data, but to me, it's kind of a life saver! ;)
My rule of thumb is no inter city deliveries in the large cities east of the Mississippi. That's not to say towns like Omaha or Houston don't have bad areas, just not as bad, but usually safe enough in daylight hours. I've pedalled freight all over L.A. and never had any trouble yet did run into bad spots in Oakland even in the middle of the day a couple of times. Over time you learn from talking to other drivers where not to go, where they've run into trouble. Dave
BigDish101 Not advisable, just because the laws vary from state to state, especially New Jersey !!. Per my companies advice : keep 2 cans of wasp spray in the truck. It's legal in every state, and sprays 25 feet. Shoot 'em in the face, and they will be out of the fight.
I have homework on trip planning and need help. It has customer name (pict sweet) and address(Brownsville,Tx). Next box: 01 DISP- pict sweet- Brownsville, Tx -1105 / 0630. Next Box says 09 DISP - MBM - Durham,NC -DEL D/T -1107 /0500. Can someone please tell me what these codes are? Do I go from 01 to customer then pick up 09 for the next customer? Do I pick up 01 then 09 and take both to customer? 🤷♀️
@@SmartTrucking it was a classroom homework assignment. He gave us invalid and addresses and asked us to exact miles and aroused between 3 invalid addresses. Well I googled them and it gave me the corrected addresses so I used those and he called out in class that I was way off and would have lost the load and time. If I would have been given valid addresses maybe I could have an easier time finding the exact miles. It is kind of impossible to find exact miles and accurate trip time between non existent addresses.
don't stereo type inner city areas that they all are bad a lot of my fellow truckers live their, I could say the same thing about rural and country areas that have high racial tension and crime but I don't.
Tzo Jonze statistically speaking those two are not even close to one another. Inner cities are stereotyped as more dangerous cause statistically they are.
Man I'd love to meet this guy.. I like his 4 wheeler videos. They piss me off soooo much.. Like today, this guy coming off an exit ramp flipped me the bird because I wasn't able to merge into the left lane to let him through because I had a car on that side. He speeds up hitting the rumble strip & slows down to about 45 on a 70 mph just to flip me the bird. Drive safe truckers!
Did you read about that trucker on the Jersey Pike a few years ago that had his pellet gun hooked up to his air compressor and was shooting out the back windows of 4 wheelers that cut him off? Classic! Illegal, but classic. Dave
Always enjoy your videos. Thanks for sharing your extensive experience and expertise.
Thank you! Dave
Smart-Trucking.com lol
yes. love that video. my self i like night driving or start out real early so i can shut down at a early time. plus i get the best miles at that time.
Yup, I always liked to start my day early, so I could end early and not feel guilty about it. Dave
Enjoy your information. As always you take the words right out of my mouth. ( Plus much more entertaining than watching these young super TH-camr truckers videos ) :)
Yeah, I don't get some of that super Utuber trucker stuff. I'm too old maybe. Trucker Josh seems like a likeable guy, but the rest of them? I don't get it. Dave
another great video I enjoy them all and being a newer driver I always find them to benefit me.
Glad to hear it! Drive safe! Dave
Glad to hear it! Drive safe! Dave
I share all your videos with my friends thanks for posting good information videos man I learn alot thanks
buy the little, rest area and truck stop book at the truck stops. It shows places on the road to park, between city's. There are some pull offs not listed, like going through New Mexico on I-25. I pencil in the missing pull off mile markers, in the book section, so I know all the options. 30 minute break, what's that ! I use off duty to strap and tarp, because it can take too much time from driving. My one complaint, is dispatch pushes us pretty hard so we can be home on the weekend ( regional driver ) . Too often I go 3 days between showers, because of the tight schedules.
Books? Yes they are available from all the major truck stop chains.
The new way now is to use their app. A driver can even book a shower using the app now. Who would of thunk?
Smart move with the mile marker book! That 3 day gap between showers has gotta suck. I'd say the schedules have to change a little to allow you to live like a human being. I'd take the shower and deliver late and tell them why. Dave
always have a peacemaker in the truck helped keep me from getting robbed 3 times
I've stopped 2 or 3 hrs early prior to my 14 hr/drive clock running out, in order to ensure I get a safe place to park. Even if You tgat early, for the most part you'll get to location where you would have stopped had you kept driving those 2 or 3 hrs extra, at the same time your 10 hr reset is done.
That's the way I do it! Dave
Thank you for your videos, always very informative!
Thank you! Dave
I just use general guidelines.
~ I always park before 5 PM assuming I start early. That seems to be the last real hour to get a spot.
~ When I have one hour left on my clock I look for the nearest truckstop.
~ I use my 30 minute break to eat and stretch my legs.
~ And finally, if time allows I prefer nighttime driving. I’m able to cover more ground,, it’s safer, and it’s easy parking when I shut down in the AM.
~
Fuel out and axle out!!
Wise advice.
Thank you! Dave
Some Receivers just figure truckers can use that time to sharpen their survival skills😉 besides, it may help keep em in shape, if they make it out ok.
Sharpen their survival skills , I like it! I thought they just didn't give a s---t about me! I like your take better! I bet there a lot of really good survivers out there! Dave
thank you sir!
No, thank you! Dave
Thanks for The Info Dave.and MOST of what you said I have Found out Thru Trial & Error.
But I'm ASSUMING Most of your Tips is Meant for Owner Operators ? I mean Company Drivers CANNOT DENY LOads being that they are Forced Dispatch !
I mean They CAN Turn Loads down ? But either they won't get Another Load for a Couple of days !
Or The Company will Let them Go !
And this is Just ME ! : EVERY PLACE I have been Employed I ALWAYS Tell The Recruiter there are a Few things I WILL NOT DO ! ( Before The Hire me ! ) :
(a) NO NEW YORK CITY ! and That Means ALL 5 Boroughs ! and Long island !
(b) I DON'T do Flat bed !
(c) I DO NOT Put CHAINS on The Tires During Winter !
(d) I WILL STOP The TRUCK ! If I Feel It is To DANGEROUS To Drive !
And This I Learned From My Trainer 16 Hears ago,when He was PRESSURED During Winter to Keep Going !
He Told me to TELL The Company IF They want That Load ? When You FEEL It's To DANGEROUS To DRIVE !
Then TELL Them To COME GET The Trailer Themselves !
End of Story ! : NEVER FORGET Drivers : YOU ARE IN CONTROL !
NOT The COMPANY ! and Certainly NOT The *&^%ING BROKERS !
Keep on Truckin'......
Rohinton Irani I'm not trying to be ugly but there is no such thing as forced dispatch. The company cannot force you to take a load that delivers or picks up in an unsafe area, because if you tell them before hand you are not comfortable with it and go anyway and something happens they know they're liable. I also know the company can fire you but you can draw unemployment and they don't want that. I don't travel far anymore but occasionally my boss will ask me to take a longer load but he knows I don't go to New Orleans, Chicago, anywhere near New York, California, Phoenix and a few more. He doesn't ask because he knows what the answer will be, but I have tenure here and that helps.
I have worked in a lot of plants and was a skilled tradesman in some. (general machinist). Imagine if I walked in the door and started talking like that to the person who was going to hire me. Pretty demanding I would say. Safe driving everyone.
Hollow Point I'm a new driver, 4 months. I still tell my boss NO, if I dont like a load destination. My advantage is, I'm retired from the Aircraft manufacturing business and I drive for fun and play money. I dont need a trucking job... I want and like a trucking job.
Agree with everything you said. As a company driver, establish the ground rules as to what you will not do, at the pre-hire interview. Then stick to those standards. I left one company because the terminal manager that hired me, left the company after a few years and the new manager decided he didn't care for my ground rules. My rules are my rules. Period. Dave
***** No doubt. Thanks for the reply from North East Texas.
smart-trucking.com
totally agree
Good video.
Thank you! Dave
do you prefer the door mounted mirrors rather than the cab mount mirrors
Good question! I like the cab mount mirrors cause they vibrate less. Having said that, my trucks mirrors are door mount. I know some guys like to angle the mirror by opening the door, I never did that, I just hung out the window when backing up if I had to. Dave
Smart-Trucking.com yeah I've heard that but I've heard from some of the older drivers they like the door mount since they're closer but I've never rode in a truck with door mount mirrors so do you think they're any closer or do you notice a different
Hey what is your take on uber freight for truckers
How does it work? Dave
How do you find out if a place is bad before you go there?
Sam O
Yeah, good question sir.
Sam O I always call the facility or ask a fellow trucker if there been to that location/city.
Sam O Hi. I use Google map and Instant Google Street View to find any place I have to go. I can see where is the truck entrance, the dock location, if it is tight or if there is a security guard. It says a lot about the company. I pay about $55 US/month, unlimited calls in North America, 6 Gigs. ;)
Observation
Good question! The answer is to ask around. Talk to other drivers and look for feedback from drivers on the internet to see how they were treated there. Those guys have no reason to lie. Dave
Dave what province do you live in, in Canada?
Ontario. Dave
Me and my sister own a house near Chatham up there!!
In Southern Ontario. It was my Grandmothers before she passed. Been in the family for over 100 years (property).
Thanks for the informative video. Any tips on how to know which destinations are dangerous? How can one know in an unfamiliar city?
Asking at your company would be my first choice. EG. Where do our drivers usually stay? Mind you I have received a blank stare from my driver manager when I asked this question a few times.
For O/O asking around would help. Like asking fellow drivers in the area by using the CB or at travel centers when you are getting close to that area.
kenton plett Hi. I use Google map and Instant Google Street View to find where is the truck entrance, the dock, if there is a security guard, if it is tight. It says a lot about the company and the area. Sometimes you can find a truck stop nearby. Maybe your cell phone will cost about $55 with 6 GB of Data, but to me, it's kind of a life saver! ;)
kenton plett Just assume it's all bad, we live in a mentally ill society.
My rule of thumb is no inter city deliveries in the large cities east of the Mississippi. That's not to say towns like Omaha or Houston don't have bad areas, just not as bad, but usually safe enough in daylight hours. I've pedalled freight all over L.A. and never had any trouble yet did run into bad spots in Oakland even in the middle of the day a couple of times. Over time you learn from talking to other drivers where not to go, where they've run into trouble. Dave
What are the rules on keeping a gun in the truck?
BigDish101 companies don't generally allow it and will fire you if they find out. .02
Thanks but that looks to only cover handguns, what about just keeping a 12ga shotgun in your sleeper?
BigDish101 Keep it at hands reach and hidden from the DOT sounds like a plan. Protect your neck
BigDish101 Not advisable, just because the laws vary from state to state, especially New Jersey !!. Per my companies advice : keep 2 cans of wasp spray in the truck. It's legal in every state, and sprays 25 feet. Shoot 'em in the face, and they will be out of the fight.
I believe those vary state to state but here in Canada a gun in the truck is a big no-no. Dave
I have homework on trip planning and need help. It has customer name (pict sweet) and address(Brownsville,Tx). Next box: 01 DISP- pict sweet- Brownsville, Tx -1105 / 0630. Next Box says 09 DISP - MBM - Durham,NC -DEL D/T -1107 /0500.
Can someone please tell me what these codes are? Do I go from 01 to customer then pick up 09 for the next customer? Do I pick up 01 then 09 and take both to customer? 🤷♀️
Kelly, I'm with you, that's quite unclear. A huge problem with some dispatch software. Best to ask them for clarification.
@@SmartTrucking it was a classroom homework assignment. He gave us invalid and addresses and asked us to exact miles and aroused between 3 invalid addresses. Well I googled them and it gave me the corrected addresses so I used those and he called out in class that I was way off and would have lost the load and time. If I would have been given valid addresses maybe I could have an easier time finding the exact miles. It is kind of impossible to find exact miles and accurate trip time between non existent addresses.
yeeeaaaahhhh ! pick a smart company to work for. for heaven sake.
That's about as easy as finding a 4 leaf clover and a lepricon's pot of gold at the same time...lol
Chris76-01 lol yeah your right about that.
There's always that! Dave
don't stereo type inner city areas that they all are bad a lot of my fellow truckers live their, I could say the same thing about rural and country areas that have high racial tension and crime but I don't.
Tzo Jonze statistically speaking those two are not even close to one another. Inner cities are stereotyped as more dangerous cause statistically they are.
Good advice!
Thank you! Dave