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Ask a professional truck driver questions.

Started by SteveG1988, July 26, 2014, 08:49:25 AM

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Brandon

Quote from: hbelkins on July 30, 2014, 11:38:11 AM
Quote from: Crazy Volvo Guy on July 30, 2014, 09:18:29 AM
Deadheading from Ottawa to Chicago (Illinois) one day, I found myself under a pop-up thunderstorm.  Got hit with a severe wind gust, glanced in the mirror to find the trailer tandems up off the ground on the left side.  I quickly pulled over and had to sit there and regain my composure for a few minutes change my underwear.

FIFY.

Fortunately there is a rest area for that just past Brisbin Road (Exit 116).  :bigass:
"If you think this has a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention." - Ramsay Bolton

"Symbolic of his struggle against reality." - Reg


Crazy Volvo Guy

Change my underwear?  More like pull my underwear out of my asshole, along with a foot or so of seat cushion...
I hate Clearview, because it looks like a cheap Chinese ripoff.

I'm for the Red Sox and whoever's playing against the Yankees.

SteveG1988

I got one for the crazy Volvo guy, i have a cobra 29lx for my starter CB (109.99 @ pilot flying j, plus a 20 dollar rebate) would you recommend I get a different microphone than the factory one?
Roads Clinched

I55,I82,I84(E&W)I88(W),I87(N),I81,I64,I74(W),I72,I57,I24,I65,I59,I12,I71,I77,I76(E&W),I70,I79,I85,I86(W),I27,I16,I97,I96,I43,I41,

Crazy Volvo Guy

Absolutely yes.  The stock one sounds like shit.  I don't know where all you go, but try to get to Bob's CB (Strattanville, PA, I-80 exit 70) and get either a Ranger SRA-198 or RF Limited CR-577.  The Ranger is a noise-cancelling mic, the RF Limited is not.  Both are great sounding mics, but the CR-577 cannot be beat for sound quality.  Out of all the mics I have (and I have many) these two stand out distinctly as the winners in sound quality by a pretty good margin.

Whatever you do, don't buy a new RoadKing 56.  They are junk. The old ones are pretty good, but are getting to be pricey when you do find them up for sale.  They don't have a sticker or even a place for a sticker on the front, like the new ones have.

If you want to get the radio tuned up, which I would recommend, go to DTB Radio in Carlisle.  I-81 exit 52 (52B if going northbound).  Dave will not butcher your radio like many of the incompetent "techs" at some of these "shops" will.  He is in the back of the gas station building here, and you can park behind the hotel.
I hate Clearview, because it looks like a cheap Chinese ripoff.

I'm for the Red Sox and whoever's playing against the Yankees.

SteveG1988

Cvg, thanks for the advice, did I get a respectable radio for a starter?
Roads Clinched

I55,I82,I84(E&W)I88(W),I87(N),I81,I64,I74(W),I72,I57,I24,I65,I59,I12,I71,I77,I76(E&W),I70,I79,I85,I86(W),I27,I16,I97,I96,I43,I41,

Crazy Volvo Guy

I wouldn't call a 29LX a starter radio.  It's a good radio, period.
I hate Clearview, because it looks like a cheap Chinese ripoff.

I'm for the Red Sox and whoever's playing against the Yankees.

SteveG1988

Quote from: Crazy Volvo Guy on August 04, 2014, 07:42:15 PM
I wouldn't call a 29LX a starter radio.  It's a good radio, period.

I started out with it, so to me it is my starter, due to the price. I did get the RF Limited CR-577, i will pick it up when i get home in a few weeks with my truck. Paid 55 for it, new in box with free shipping. I read the reviews and decided it was right for me. I also am having my family pick up a 24 inch 1080P Tv from sears for my birthday, they got an RCA with a built in DVD player for 99 bucks. Plus a sheet set, are all cascadia beds the same size? 40x80? If so, then i will tell em to get me twin XL stuff.
Roads Clinched

I55,I82,I84(E&W)I88(W),I87(N),I81,I64,I74(W),I72,I57,I24,I65,I59,I12,I71,I77,I76(E&W),I70,I79,I85,I86(W),I27,I16,I97,I96,I43,I41,

tchafe1978

Do you still have kids in cars give you the "honk honk" sign? Do you honk if you see kids doing it? As a kid, that was my brothers' and mine number one form of entertainment on the road: seeing how many truckers we could get to honk at us.

jemacedo9

^^^ that's a great question!  I used to do that as a kid and it was awesome when a trucker would honk back...

SteveG1988

I've gotten it once. It's rarely done nowadays.
Roads Clinched

I55,I82,I84(E&W)I88(W),I87(N),I81,I64,I74(W),I72,I57,I24,I65,I59,I12,I71,I77,I76(E&W),I70,I79,I85,I86(W),I27,I16,I97,I96,I43,I41,

adventurernumber1

Quote from: tchafe1978 on August 08, 2014, 01:17:33 PM
Do you still have kids in cars give you the "honk honk" sign? Do you honk if you see kids doing it? As a kid, that was my brothers' and mine number one form of entertainment on the road: seeing how many truckers we could get to honk at us.

(btw I am 15 so I am in school) I was on a field trip last year to Atlanta and there was a group of kids in the bus that would do that. They did it pretty much the whole time lol. I think a few trucks honked but I wasn't paying attention as I was paying attention to the road lol.
Now alternating between different highway shields for my avatar - my previous highway shield avatar for the last few years was US 76.

Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/127322363@N08/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-vJ3qa8R-cc44Cv6ohio1g

adventurernumber1

Quote from: adventurernumber1 on August 08, 2014, 07:35:45 PM
Quote from: tchafe1978 on August 08, 2014, 01:17:33 PM
Do you still have kids in cars give you the "honk honk" sign? Do you honk if you see kids doing it? As a kid, that was my brothers' and mine number one form of entertainment on the road: seeing how many truckers we could get to honk at us.

(btw I am 15 so I am in school) I was on a field trip last year to Atlanta and there was a group of kids in the bus that would do that. They did it pretty much the whole time lol. I think a few trucks honked but I wasn't paying attention as I was paying attention to the road lol.

Whoops sorry, I meant I am almost 15, lol. I've said I am almost 15 so many times I guess I thought I was already 15 when I typed that but I still got a few months to go, lol.
Now alternating between different highway shields for my avatar - my previous highway shield avatar for the last few years was US 76.

Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/127322363@N08/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-vJ3qa8R-cc44Cv6ohio1g

Roadrunner75

I'll see how many my kid gets on the next road trip...

Pete from Boston


Quote from: SteveG1988 on August 08, 2014, 07:25:00 PM
I've gotten it once. It's rarely done nowadays.

When I was a kid all those many years ago, trucks were cool.  TV and movies were full of roads and cars and long-haul trucks.  All this exposure meant we had a fascinating idea of the life the guy up there in the truck led, full of fast driving and solving mysteries.  Getting a honk request honored was some pretty awesome stuff.   

Roadrunner75

Quote from: Pete from Boston on August 09, 2014, 12:24:53 AM

Quote from: SteveG1988 on August 08, 2014, 07:25:00 PM
I've gotten it once. It's rarely done nowadays.

When I was a kid all those many years ago, trucks were cool.  TV and movies were full of roads and cars and long-haul trucks.  All this exposure meant we had a fascinating idea of the life the guy up there in the truck led, full of fast driving and solving mysteries.  Getting a honk request honored was some pretty awesome stuff.   
Yes, indeed.  When is "BJ and the Bear" coming back to TV?

bugo

How long have you been a truck driver?  How have things changed over the years?

triplemultiplex

"That's just like... your opinion, man."

SteveG1988

on that site, #2..is sadly VERY true, i got my license through my state unemployment agency, pay your 4000 bucks otherwise and you get a 6 or so week course on how to pass the CDL, then you get passed to a company, if the company doesn't train ya like mine does...then you're thrown to the wolves with a 80k lb machine and no knowledge of stuff other than what the DMV wants you to know.

#1...you can follow the rules, occasionally bend them, but not outright break, such as sometiems claiming off duty when you should really be on duty, just don't lie about driving, etc.  Making money legally is doable, just be careful with your planning, should you really take a break every 3 hours or so...no, but a lot of drivers go from truck stop to truck stop...burning up time and then speeding to make it up
Roads Clinched

I55,I82,I84(E&W)I88(W),I87(N),I81,I64,I74(W),I72,I57,I24,I65,I59,I12,I71,I77,I76(E&W),I70,I79,I85,I86(W),I27,I16,I97,I96,I43,I41,

signalman

Is it very common for the jaw of the fifth wheel to open up while driving the truck?  I've seen this happen 3 times that I can recall and the trailer became dislodged from the cab.  All times I chalked it up to the driver not checking his load properly, perhaps the driver was in a rush or a rookie.  But, since this thread exists, I figured that I'd ask a driver.

SteveG1988

Quote from: signalman on August 16, 2014, 05:03:55 AM
Is it very common for the jaw of the fifth wheel to open up while driving the truck?  I've seen this happen 3 times that I can recall and the trailer became dislodged from the cab.  All times I chalked it up to the driver not checking his load properly, perhaps the driver was in a rush or a rookie.  But, since this thread exists, I figured that I'd ask a driver.

It shouldn't happen at all, you're supposed to do a tug test before taking off, and make sure the kingpin is properly secured with the locking jaw, what can happen is someone pulls it out as a prank...a dangerous one, I always make sure to look for signs of dickery when I wake up or come out of a store.

One pet peeve I have developed is...drivers in passenger vehicles who see me put on a turn signal for a lane change on the interstate, and just speed up. It is annoying when I have to move over for a disabled vehicle or a cop on the shoulder, and you just speed up or dart around me.
Roads Clinched

I55,I82,I84(E&W)I88(W),I87(N),I81,I64,I74(W),I72,I57,I24,I65,I59,I12,I71,I77,I76(E&W),I70,I79,I85,I86(W),I27,I16,I97,I96,I43,I41,

BamaZeus

Quote from: jemacedo9 on August 08, 2014, 02:37:16 PM
^^^ that's a great question!  I used to do that as a kid and it was awesome when a trucker would honk back...

On a class field trip to NYC one time in the early 80's, we were doing that for pretty much every truck on I-95 between Norwalk and Manhattan.  We thought it was great, but our teacher got quickly annoyed with it and made us quit. 

vdeane

Quote from: SteveG1988 on August 17, 2014, 05:50:11 PM
It is annoying when I have to move over for a disabled vehicle or a cop on the shoulder, and you just speed up or dart around me.
And it's annoying when you're cruising on the interstate and a truck pulls in front of you, especially since said truck will almost certainly be traveling at a slower speed.
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position of NYSDOT or its affiliates.

SteveG1988

Quote from: vdeane on August 18, 2014, 06:13:05 PM
Quote from: SteveG1988 on August 17, 2014, 05:50:11 PM
It is annoying when I have to move over for a disabled vehicle or a cop on the shoulder, and you just speed up or dart around me.
And it's annoying when you're cruising on the interstate and a truck pulls in front of you, especially since said truck will almost certainly be traveling at a slower speed.

I try to signal early.
Roads Clinched

I55,I82,I84(E&W)I88(W),I87(N),I81,I64,I74(W),I72,I57,I24,I65,I59,I12,I71,I77,I76(E&W),I70,I79,I85,I86(W),I27,I16,I97,I96,I43,I41,

agentsteel53

Quote from: SteveG1988 on August 18, 2014, 06:14:22 PM

I try to signal early.

still doesn't address the problem.  you're cutting me off.  don't do that. 
live from sunny San Diego.

http://shields.aaroads.com

jake@aaroads.com

SteveG1988

I don't consider it cutting you off If I immediately move back.
Roads Clinched

I55,I82,I84(E&W)I88(W),I87(N),I81,I64,I74(W),I72,I57,I24,I65,I59,I12,I71,I77,I76(E&W),I70,I79,I85,I86(W),I27,I16,I97,I96,I43,I41,



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