I won't drive tired and that's exactly what I told my dispatch. They are cool with that. Don't ever let anyone tell you to drive unsafe

Just wanted to say that you are a gifted storyteller and you obviously know a lot about trucking. Keep doing what your doing man.

A 30 minute nap is WAY better than any other cup of coffee! Pull over and take a quick nap if you're feeling tired! You'll be amazed at how much better you'll feel and how much more alert you'll be with just a short nap!

@TheDerek5757

5 жыл бұрын

Absolutely

@driver3025

5 жыл бұрын

Shaneb73 20 mins is the perfect amount.

@Tiggerpepper

5 жыл бұрын

Shaneb73 agreed friend

@i-95southfloridaboy55

5 жыл бұрын

Shaneb73 thank you for your advice. I'd rather take atleast a half an hour sleep than coffee.

@davidstory2231

5 жыл бұрын

Strongly agree ...should use every opportunity to rest ..

A long time ago when I was a road trainer. I had one hard rule for all of my students. If you were tired, sleep in the bunk. The reason being, if you can fall asleep in the passenger seat; you can fall asleep in the drivers seat.

The never drive tired is very critical. When I was with my trainer, we were diving doubles for the last 3 weeks of my training. I don't sleep well while moving and it was starting to build up. One day I could feel myself about to fall asleep and I just said "f@ck it, I'm not killing us" and I pulled over on the side of the next exit ramp and got an hour nap in. That was enough that I was confident I could get us to an actual truck stop and we "wasted" half a day. My trainer wasn't upset or angry, he said you absolutely did the right thing

@SmartTrucking

3 жыл бұрын

Good job!

also never go to drive thru to get food with semi

@SmartTrucking

5 жыл бұрын

Good advice! Dave

Driving tired is the same as driving drunk

@SmartTrucking

6 жыл бұрын

Yes it is! Good point! Dave

@bstanek1014

5 жыл бұрын

Mythbusters proved driving tired was even worst then buzzed driving

@Matt-rz9dk

5 жыл бұрын

Not really

@Joejoes1276

5 жыл бұрын

Worse

I thought Don't Tailgate would have been on the list.

@daMillenialTrucker

5 жыл бұрын

With these newer trucks they won't allow you to do so. My t680 has a radar that tells me how fast someone is going within a 300ft span and if I get to-too close it will apply the brakes and slow down, normally around the 40-50ft range

This old trucker says you can go up as fast as you want, but you will ONLY go down once to fast....

@Cryptonymicus

6 жыл бұрын

Just like Reuben the Bohemian Cowboy says.

@SmartTrucking

6 жыл бұрын

That's right! Dave

@swaghauler8334

6 жыл бұрын

I said, "Earl this hill can spill us, you better slow down... you gonna kill us. Just one mistake and it's the Pearly Gates for them 85 crates of USDA-Approved cluckers. ... You wanna hit second?" Wolf Creek Pass, way up on the Great Divide, truckin' on down the other side... Sorry, I couldn't resist a little CW McCall. :)

@gytisbaranauskasjagmort6059

6 жыл бұрын

Yep. If you go down fast they'll carry you slowly soon afterwards.

@2bituser569

5 жыл бұрын

Gytis Baranauskas Jagmort if they can pierce your body back together

As a driver of a 4 wheeler, I love your videos. And you're right about this. I've seen other 4 wheels (and motorcyclists) do stupid shit like cut in front of other people and force them to slow down or change lanes to avoid a crash. Case in point, keep up the videos Dave :)

@SmartTrucking

6 жыл бұрын

Thank you sir! I'll do my best! Dave

"Doesn't look that bad." Famous last words! 😆

I truly agree with all points I want to go home to my wife and family not them having to come get what's left after and bad decision ... Speed can kill everyone

I always drove with two rules or thoughts in mind. #1 the faster you drive on snow covered roads the farther you are going to have to walk to get back to the road. #2. It is a lot easier to explain why the load is late than why it never got there at all

Your blood runs cold when you see smoke streaming from you brakes on a long downhill, that's for sure!

@SmartTrucking

6 жыл бұрын

Yup! Not a good feeling! Dave

@Therevdon

5 жыл бұрын

It was almost 20 years ago, I was young, totally green, and crossing the Rockies for the first time with a flatbed load of steel. I knew Jake Brakes existed, but no idea how to use it. "Blood runs cold when you see smoke streaming from you brakes " is an understatement. Finally got to a flat enough spot to stop, pulled over, and read the truck's manual about Jake Brakes while I waited for the brakes to cool down.

I've been trucking since 1984. My dad before me. I learned from him. He did teach me one thing about mountain driving and I live with today. ( you can drive off a mountain a thousand times to slow.... or one time to fast ) I still live that code

@SmartTrucking

6 жыл бұрын

He was right about that! Dave

I see at least 5 truckers a day with their phones in their hand, makes us all look bad

@SmartTrucking

6 жыл бұрын

Me too! Agreed! Dave

Thumbs up. How about this one? Never skip the pre-trip.

@SmartTrucking

6 жыл бұрын

Yup, excellent advice Robert! Dave

Back in early 2015 when I was out with my Swift mentor, we were running loads out to western Pennsylvania. Two nights in a row, while I was driving, we came across emergency crews at two different truck accidents at the same location. I no longer felt bad going down that curved hill slower than anyone else.

People nowadays drive like they're Late for the crash. I find that most of Them are right on time..

As a new driver your advice and experience means a lot. Thank you for sharing

In the Dakota's truck drivers will be going 70 when its 10 below and a blizzard out. Allot of them are fed ex and XPO logistics with the 2 dolly trailers. And allot of them end up in the ditch.

@tomhoffer9734

6 жыл бұрын

Bitlingr They do it on the east coast also, both those carriers will be pushing you down the road in the snow.

@SmartTrucking

6 жыл бұрын

I see a lot of Fed-Ex on !-70 in the ditch every time it snows. Don't know what it is with those guys. They sure are slow learners! Dave

@tomhoffer9734

6 жыл бұрын

Smart-Trucking.com No doubt, I run doubles and never out drive the weather conditions or myself, the freight is not worth lives or license... great video.. You did forget the guys that eat and/or watch videos/movies while driving down the road. 22 years driving and nothing ceases to amaze me anymore. Keep the shiny side up and have a good weekend. Tom.😎

@humorme5367

6 жыл бұрын

Bitlingr I use those guys in the ditch to determine road conditions lol

@Cobra4993

6 жыл бұрын

yep I've seen some XPO in the ditch myself

The 14 hour clock is one of the major problems for drivers. Trying to maximize their time, they continue driving when they are tired instead of taking a break like they used to.

@SmartTrucking

6 жыл бұрын

That's right! Dave

@ethang6735

6 жыл бұрын

I found myself to be one of those people and have since changed. Now i only do short haul home every night kind of stuff, but where i used to take a break knowing if i was a little over time i could just fudge the book a bit (and i was never out of time anyway) now with the ELD's i was finding that i would push myself and set the eld to off duty for my mandatory 30 minute break while at my stops instead of taking that time to actually relax and rest just out of fear of running the clock out, or even jsut to get that day done in 12 hours instead of 13! Like i said, i finally had to convince myself to relax about time and now i make sure to take that 30 minute break when im supposed to, because it really does help with fatigue and such. Now im sure its different for over the road guys but my point is that eld sure can be stressful BECAUSE there is no good ways to fudge the numbers so to speak. Im not saying you should do that anyway, but it was at least a peace of mind if you messed up your schedule and ran over time by an hour or so. Everyone should take the breaks required, and more if necessary. Couldnt agree more with that never drive tired.

@kobudo

6 жыл бұрын

I blame the 11 hour rule more than the 14, especially on a long haul. Take 11 hours of driving, subtract about 45 or 30 minutes for finding parking, add about 30 or 40 minutes for breaks during the work day, and then add 10 hours off to get the next day, and your “day,” as defined by a bunch of legislators who have never driven a truck, or apparently never looked at a clock, is 21 hours long. Do that for a few days, and by the second day of that you’re expected to start rolling five hours earlier than you got up on the day you loaded.

@davidcraft4909

6 жыл бұрын

kobudo I agree 100% exactly

@neil78b

6 жыл бұрын

kobudo What? I drive long haul, about 1800 mile loads all the time. I take about 12 hours or more off each day and get up around 0800 everyday... I’m confused as to why you are starting so much earlier each time. You are not required to do only 10... you can take as much time as you need to get fully rested. If you’re fired or reprimanded for doing so it would be a violation to the company because you are protected by the STAA that clearly states that a driver only moves that truck when he/she dems it safe and you are not fatigued. Let a company ever try to say I’m late to my fault and I will sue them into a cardboard box. I’ve had to do that with 1 of the 3 companies I’ve worked for in 15 years, got an under the table offer in the six figure range, they learned their lesson. If more drivers stopped driving their asses ragged just to make a few more bucks and instead started to speak up not being afraid of being fired, all this crap would end. Remember, work smarter not harder. If you want more money, you don’t drive more miles, you get a position that pays more per mile.

#6 don't drive for Swift.

@markm0000

6 жыл бұрын

#7 Don't drive for any off the major carriers if you value yourself.

@kevinkenner8007

6 жыл бұрын

Lol idk why everyone is always hating on swift from what I’ve heard they are one of the better companies to work for compared to other major carriers

@lindabenford2074

5 жыл бұрын

Mark M sure you meant any of the major carriers😂spell check won’t correct off😘👍🏽

@profilename5684

5 жыл бұрын

Number 8 don't lease

@gen1fierro

4 жыл бұрын

Seems like most drivers started at swift!!

Just this past winter I was up in Oregon and some guy was on the CB yelling at me calling me a p*ssy he flew by me then about an hour up the road he was sideways in a bank of snow... Mind you I'm super green but I know what my truck can and can't take

@SmartTrucking

6 жыл бұрын

You showed great restraint there! I'd have probably stopped and gotten out just to point out to him that my truck was not in the snowbank! Dave

@shawnjarman9860

6 жыл бұрын

Smart-Trucking.com same here! I’ve been driving 30+ years and never ended up in a ditch, can’t stand that super trucker mentality! Let’m fly I say, time will weed them out

@ericshimer6669

6 жыл бұрын

Andrea Star yep the brains on the shoulders of people keeps getting smaller. The Billy Bob Big Rigger Super Trucker awards are flying off the shelves for people like what you dealt with. They land trucks in ditches faster then airplanes at an airport runway! Lol

@allheartgritgrind1489

6 жыл бұрын

The jokes on him!

@christopherclements5909

6 жыл бұрын

I don't run with a CB because of this sort of thing and all the other BS these days..I would have been laughing so hard at the driver hitting the bank I would have had to pull over! hahaha

Never ever cheat on cranking the landing gear all the way up as far as it can go! When I was a rookie I was always in a hurry working Intercity runs and some types of landing gear were damned long winded, so I would crank em up 6-8 inches and go. Never had a problem UNTIL-----Road closed Detour. No problem. Young, Dumb and full of Scum away I go. Thank God the traffic I was following was crawling slow across the double Mainline RR Track Grade Crossing. I felt and heard a shudder as the rig stopped dead on the tracks. WTF--- O Shit the landing gear? Wow-I was luckyyyy, There is one bent foot and NO leg damage --Trailer is empty, maybe that's why? I've got traffic backed up and irritated at me as I get the gear engaged and then I here IT! THAT was a TRAIN horn in the distance! Man I went berserk on that crank handle an the gears in the truck getting off those tracks for sure. Needless to say, from then on this SOB cranks landing gear up every stinking crank I can get on them.

@thomaskirkpatrick4031

5 жыл бұрын

Yeah, I always take the time to crank them all the way up.

@ad356

5 жыл бұрын

i always crank them up all of the way anyways. i do local milk hauling. i drive on uneven farm driveways and often times the farm is on a hill. the thought of it bottoming out bothers me.

#5.) is a good one to remember. After a certain number of hours you can become "drunk-tired". In other words you may as well be drunk. Reaction time slows and your decision making ability diminishes.

When going down a hill, never go faster than your jake will prevent you from using the breaks.

These are all common sense. If someone does this stuff they don't need to be driving anything especially a big rig. But Like my Grandpaw told me.. "common sense ain't too common now days".

@SmartTrucking

6 жыл бұрын

Sadly, you're Grandpaw hit the nail right on the head! Dave

I'm a truck driver and I follow these rules

ELD is so dangerous. Makes a driver late, then makes him drive at 3am cuz he's legal and late... but exhausted

@user-zt6bt8dp2c

6 жыл бұрын

Goran Trtanj I get less sleep on ELD.

@ethang6735

6 жыл бұрын

From what i understand ELD only helps us home every night short haul guys because we can use it as a reason to why we missed our last two stops, you know, the eld ran out of time and we had to get back cause we cant fudge the numbers. But i cant imagine what they do to the over the road guys.

@danieldeblasio9368

6 жыл бұрын

Goran Trtanj maybe we should lobby for 16hr days with 12hr drive time, and 4hr leisure time.

@mariannewestrope3888

6 жыл бұрын

Just because you've had 10 hours off doesn't mean you have to start driving again. Stick to a routine that works for you. If dispatch is hassling you about getting moving, it's time to find another company. With the way things are right now, if you have a clean abstract and CVOR, you can name your terms. Better late than never.

@Nickasap

6 жыл бұрын

Just do your best to plan things out. Our try find a dedicated run so you get used to it.

I just got my CDL in October 2022 but I’m starting my road training now in December and I’ve seen so many potential hazards do to other drivers going too fast or being on their phones 📱😳 thank you sir for all your advice on trucking I really appreciate as a newbie newbie 🥰🚛🛣️

You know the old saying, once to fast a thousand times to slow

I completely agree with #4. I hate impatient truck drivers that pass others even when the passing lane is covered with thick snow! (Vehicles being passed are travelling below 100kph but above 70kph) That is completely in disregard of other's safety.

I spend a lot of time running through the Smokies and Appalachians between PA and GA. If I got a dollar for every time someone blew past me only for me to cruise past them at the bottom of the hill because their brakes are toast, I'd be eating steak for dinner every night. I try to make a game out of descending hills... I win if my truck stays at a steady speed and I never have to hit the brakes.

@SmartTrucking

6 жыл бұрын

Good way to do it! Dave

@DrFruikenstein

6 жыл бұрын

I like the rules of your game.

@KissTheBlarneyStone

6 жыл бұрын

Hell yeah that's what I do.

@TheMrlojack

6 жыл бұрын

I always lock in 9th and rotate cruise and jake... Always save my brakes and glide through those hills

@charlesrantin3220

5 жыл бұрын

Amen, I drove alot of runs Pa. To Ga. Thru west Va. Saw many super truckers smoking their brakes, LMAO!

I took the whole reefer and broccoli stuff in the wrong direction lol

@marcushennings9513

4 жыл бұрын

At a company I once worked for the dispatcher like sending messages on the Qualcomm in the middle of the night that the reefer was registering below temp and that we (driver) needed to go out to check it (even though nothing was ever wrong) So the third time he did it to me I sent him a message that I'll be sure to inform the receiver, which was Walmart that he sent me a message that the meat had registed below temp and had HIS MESSAGE to prove it. I could have gotten Walmart to reject that entire trailer full of meat just by mentioning what he sent and needless to say he never f*#ked with me in the middle of the night again lol.

Great 5 advices..Anyone of them could save your life if followed. Love watching your videos and find them full of wisdom, experience and some side story to make most of us smile. Keep up the great work.

@SmartTrucking

6 жыл бұрын

Will do, thank you sir! Dave

A few days ago I picked up at Budweiser in St. Louise, MO. I was about 3 miles away on the highway and it was raining, speed limit 55. A car shot past me on my left around a curve and a few heart beats later they were pinballing off both side walls of the highway. Thank God I was already go slow and I was paying attention or I would have ran right over them.

Got my 1A licence the day this video came out! Thanks for the videos, I've watched a lot of them lol You've taught me a lot so far!!

Never buy an entertainment system from two guys in a minivan in a truckstop parking lot.

I drove OTR all over the country back in the 70s and 80s before ABS and traction control systems. An old-timer gave me some advice for hill driving - go down the hill in the same gear you climbed the hill. I always did this, and never had downhill speed problems.

You are a good man, thank you for your great videos. Been driving 17 yrs with the last 2 OTR, still enjoy your content! I've smoked my brakes going down a canyon my first year, was a bad deal, but I made it out unscathed. I've also came really close to running my reefer out of fuel last summer. Just managed to stop just in time, could have easily decided to run another 50 miles or so. Thanks again and have a good one!

@SmartTrucking

6 жыл бұрын

You too Bander! Dave

The Lettuce King..that name alone speaks for itself lol I'd like to add one to this list *Never GET complacent*

@SmartTrucking

6 жыл бұрын

Exactly right! Dave

@humorme5367

6 жыл бұрын

Smart-Trucking.com here's an idea.. A video on over confidence and complacency and how that can get you or someone hurt or worse

@ericbrule4465

6 жыл бұрын

Smart-Trucking.com my policy is fuel the reefer when you fuel truck. Never failed me before.

Number 4 is a hard rule. 15 more minutes on the road beats 3 to 12hrs in the ditch. There are only so many heavy wreckers to get you out.

23 years driving in mountains and the snow with doubles or heavy hauler T&T. #4 was spot on. Slow down and do a break check from a stop to 5 mph to see how the snow is. Or how slick it is. I’ll even stop someplace safe and get out and check with my boot. Snow type, out side temp and different weather conditions can change how you should drive in just a few miles. It’s never fun when you think it’s sticky snow pack going around a long corner then realize you’re on slick snow/ice going 5+ mph to fast and you’re drifting. In the winter time in the mountains I learned to just take my time and go slower than posted speed limits and the yellow recommended speeds on corners. I’ve seen a few trucks who passed me in the ditch up the road.

@SmartTrucking

5 жыл бұрын

Exactly right! And good point, get out and walk on the stuff to see how slick it is!

if you feel tired, pull over and get a 5 minute nap, that will give you enough energy to continue your trip.

Dave you honestly should be a truck driving instructor! You would make an excellent One!

A truck drives by itself on the ice and when a driver falls asleep. It becomes uncontrollable. This is the first rule we should remember all the time.

I'm one of the lucky ones still on paper logs. Small company I work for maintains and older fleet, drive sa 96 international. Still enjoy my mid day naps wen I need them lol

A Good tip in the big hills Especially with a super B go down it the same gear you used to go up. I hauled black slag from grand forks into Sask For many years on Hwy 3 the Salmo - Creston I know those hills very well they don't look too bad but they can sure enough take your life if you don't give them the respect they are due

@donaldself6013

6 жыл бұрын

thebard320 why do truckers wait till they are going up a hill to try to pass another truck, can't pass it, and hold up traffic for miles? And the problem seems to be getting worse!

Great advice Dave for all of the new drivers getting into the industry.

Another good rule of thumb is DO NOT take exit ramps and curves too fast. Your load can shift and over you go. Wish I had a dime for every truck I've seen on its side from trying to blow through a curve....I could retire very comfortably.

@SmartTrucking

5 жыл бұрын

That's right! Dave

Great advice,its a shame we all see these unsafe behaviors everyday. What will this industry be without all you old school drivers around. We will miss the old heads out here. Be safe driver.

@SmartTrucking

6 жыл бұрын

You too Nick! Take care! Dave

Thanks for the great tip Dave, on cooling the brakes! While I do use my tire chalks quite often for various reasons. This one, was not one of them. Great tip from the pro.

@SmartTrucking

6 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Dave

Words of wisdom there! See guys flying down the hills here in Arizona! Crazy...

Yes sir! Early in my career, I was driving for Prime and they forced me to pick up a load ( I was a newbie and was nervous about saying no) I did say no, and the DM said what? Are you refusing the load? I took the load, but drive so tired only the Lord kept me alive. That's when I decided to tell Prime goodbye. Been a happy driver ever since and making better money.

I dont know how many times I pulled over at the top of Saluda grade on I-26 back when brakes had a 9/16 adjuster , and wound them up and started off in granny low to get down with those loads of paper. No jake brake , and holding on tight all the way.

I'm glad you got it all figured oat. Lol watch out for the cabbage patch in Oregon.

Your mountain driving story reminds me a bit of "Wolfcreek Pass" by C.W. McCall.

I don't care who I tick off. If I'm tired, I'm stopping. No load is worth my life or somebody else's life. And the high priority loads like disaster relief usually go to teams who can drive nonstop, so I do not have any life or death loads that I have to push on for.

Something I learned in boot camp, sleep when you can, you don't know when you'll get another chance. When I started trucking, I took that to mean pull over and power nap for 10 or 15 minutes (if your employer doesn't like it, explain that you didn't feel safe on the road and you could either take 15 minutes out of your day or have an accident, his choice).

@SmartTrucking

4 жыл бұрын

I was never able to sleep like that. Wish I could have though.

Thanks for your posting. I'm a new driver and appreciate your experience and suggestions. I don't need to reinvent the wheel. I'm a fuel tank driver and learning every day. Taking time, planning ahead and avoid getting impatient go along way in preventing problems.

Number 4 is on the DMV test, good advice, thank you we appreciate your tips. God bless you.

CastleGar ?..... Alberta trucks are legend for the road into Trail ....... I missed one by a minute ; just smoldering engine block , and the belts on the radial tires left ....

Not just texting, using your phone period is a no no.

"The Lettuce King" So funny, he's such a master at his craft. I never stop learning, that's why I'm here.

Great video, this exact video should be played for students at all trucking schools.

That driver's seat looks soooooo comfortable. It looks like you've ripped out the standard one and stuck a lay-z-boy in there.

@SmartTrucking

4 жыл бұрын

It is comfortable! Bostrom Wide Glide.

Absolutely love your video content its really a BIG help for new drivers like myself. Thanks 👍🏼💯

Another great video ... I have been driving for almost 30 years now and I wish you were my trainer back then . My very first day back then they just gave me my paperwork and truck # and said have a good day , I didn’t have any trainer but I learned real fast , I started out with Yellow Freight System . I love hearing your stories from past experience , some of them I can really relate to . Keep the videos coming , I for one really enjoy them .

@SmartTrucking

6 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Dave

@brianvandorp25

6 жыл бұрын

bosco358 lol I'm creeping up on 30 years pretty fast too, my driving instructor who will remain anonymous actually dozed off in the passenger seat on a lesson LOL when he finally woke up I said "well good morning I'm glad to see you're very comfortable with my driving" LOL

@keithlowe1982

6 жыл бұрын

bosco358 "Sink or swim" school of truck driving! I think some of them are better than these "anyone can drive in 3 weeks" 'SCHOOLS'. Funny thing is, that's what CDL laws was 'supposed' to prevent.

That's a bad feeling Dave to see the smoke coming out of the trailer wheels and your gaining speed. Thank God you got to a flat spot to let that oool off.

@SmartTrucking

6 жыл бұрын

Yeah, that flat spot was a blessing. I did not want to ride her down to the bottom! Dave

When you're stuck, don't floor it to get unstuck. That's a funny one I see all the time, not only in big rigging but out in the country also

I had that life-changing experience of not knowing how to come down a mountain also. 1986, in a Freightliner with no Jake hauling 45,000 lb of oil field pipe from Bakersfield to Houston. Very little experience. Came down Cajon pass and caught the trailer brakes on fire. There was no flame, but lots of smoke. Thank God the scales came along at exactly the right place, so I was able to pull over and let everything cool off. I didn't have a clue, but I finally made it all the way down to San Bernardino. Needless to say, I learned the lesson of a lifetime. By the way, my first job driving was in one of those old Mack 300s, 5 speed. It took a while to get used to how to drive that truck.

1. Yep done that,scared the crap out of me. 3. Yep that too,back before the refer will self prime,still have a refer fuel cap with a valve stem in it. 4. Can also tell alot about the company too by how many of them are in the same ditch 5.learned that lesson in KS on 70..last yard sticker I saw was 30 next one was 270ish...that God it was at night.

Thanks for the heads up 👍🏼😎

I was always told to never go down a hill in a higher gear than you went up in.

Good list. Here’s a little one. Never nose into a single spot from a narrow isle.

Thanks man for this important information

Awesome video and a great list of what not to do. My brother seems to be one of those that is determined learn the hard way about going down hills fast.

21 years of age, been driving for a few months. Man, it’s an adventure!! I plan on watching all your videos ! Newest subscriber! ... your videos are much appreciated

Porter Dude here...good stuff!😳 It takes a special breed to be a truck driving man! 🥰 God bless all our truckers out there! 🥰

I'd say honorable mention should be know you rig's height and the the height of any bridges you might encounter, plus routes around them if needed. Also, never forget to do at least a walk around if not a full pre-trip inspection every single time before leaving anywhere just so you don't run over kids that could be hiding in the fenders & stuff.

@SmartTrucking

4 жыл бұрын

Absolutely!

You're from Canada, eh? Couldn't tell. Good video. Go Jets.

@markm0000

6 жыл бұрын

He's one of the few that don't say sorry and thank you all the time.

VERY very informative video. Thanks and happy safe trucking!

When I decided to get into trucking back in 1987 my uncle Chuck a 20 plus year O/O told me .. Keep your book currant, keep your rig clean DOT love a dirty rig cause they know they will find violations, and NEVER come off the top fast.! Uncle Chuck was right and I passed that on to rookie drivers along with other things I'v learned on my own and from other old timers.

@SmartTrucking

5 жыл бұрын

Uncle Chuck knew his stuff! Old timers were a wealth of information for me!

@richardmiseljr2413

5 жыл бұрын

@@SmartTrucking Same her. Id listen to them every chance I got.

If only the Companies gave a damn. There is a company (that will remain un-named) that my buddy drives for. They want you to drive for 11 hours, and then sleep for 10. Problem is, that's not how the human body works. You're supposed to be awake for 16 hours, and asleep for 8. The awake 11 and sleep 10 method destorys this, forcing their drivers to ALL drive tired. The problem really lies in "Appointments". There should be no such thing. Drivers should be required to deliver a load on a date, not a specific time. These companies don't give a damn if you die out there, they just want the money. "Slept for 3 hours? You're good! Drive or get fired!" they say.

@jeremymerkt3526

6 жыл бұрын

Need to start calling these companies out. Hush hush, will only embolden them to push drivers harder.

@outhere8690

5 жыл бұрын

Appointments should be banned. Most places don't utilize them properly & just put them in place as a possible excuse to snake their way out of paying well-deserved detention time.

@mark7362

4 жыл бұрын

That's the truth, apt times are so unrealistic, last year I was late to countless apt.s 50/50 either way late or way too early lol

Hwy#3 is no joke

@Albertalorian

6 жыл бұрын

It sure ends a lot of Bison/TransX/Syndicate/CNTL drivers careers!

Excellent point you make about sleeping when YOU need to sleep, and not feeling pressured to meet some mandate for bare-minimum requirements.

Greetings from Finland. One thing for #4 There Will Be The Day you have to take brake because of Winter conditions. For me IT was when was -8°C and raining (Water! ) I tell you Road was slippery. 4 hours wait side of The Road and weather changed so much that Road was drivable again.

Well said Sir, appreciate it...very helpful for the beginners.thank you..

@SmartTrucking

5 жыл бұрын

My pleasure sir, glad to help!

Awesome vid!!! Thank u my red brother

I had just made the turn onto 77 down through Fancy Gap towards Charlotte, NC when the traffic started slowing down. The CB said it was because of an accident down in the "Gap". Suddenly, in my mirror I saw this immense Kenworth pull out into the left lane, both stacks rolling coal. He and his load of lumber shot by me like I was backing up. I got on the radio to warn him about the crash ahead thinking that maybe he hadn't heard of the crash.His only comment to me as he disappeared into his own exhaust was"you drive your truck, I'll drive mine". A little while later l ran across him again. That pretty load of lumber was strewn everywhere and that KW, well it was hanging out in space, perched on a really big rock, which was the only thing keeping it from tumbling into the gorge. The driver, he was talking excitedly on his cell phone.

@SmartTrucking

4 жыл бұрын

And I'm betting here Randy, that you're a better man than I am because I'd have pulled over and asked him, as he was obviously a Super Trucker, how that was working for him now! The meathead!

I subscribed. I'm getting ready to go to training. There are so many trucker videos and most of these young guys just piss and moan and company jump. I love your positive and informitive format. I'm 46 and starting a whole new career. In just going to put my head down and do my job. Everyone has to pay there dues.

Good advices dude. I couldn't even sleep without hearing the prrrrrr from my reefer

He had a cat marine engine in his rig??? Thats so badass

@SmartTrucking

6 жыл бұрын

Yes it was! Man that thing would pull! Dave

@bill7778

6 жыл бұрын

I wonder how many gallons per mile that CAT drank.

Id like to add few points to yours list... Keep your log book straight and neet. Allways do pri tripp inspection.

Great story! Thanks for sharing.

I feel you on the pass to castlegar. Gnarly descent.

thanks again dave your good really really good

@SmartTrucking

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks Timothy! Dave

I take my CDL driving test on Monday (10-15-18). Excited. Thank you for all your advice. Love your website too.

Best thing you ever said "Mack R model" then r models are unstoppable off road carrying 107,000 lbs full of logs going through tough terrain. Paccar have problems to low an light get stuck easy