Truck driver b.s.

The thing I emphasized to my kids is to not hang out next to trucks driving down the road, either speed up to get out in front of them or back off to follow behind, (not necessarily in the same lane as the trucks)

 

So, I'm a beginner with all this, permit only, just getting my feel for the 10 speed and knowing which gear to pick in traffic. The real drivers will give you real advice but the one thing my bro in law always asks me to do which I frequently don't prepare for is moving out of the right lane when someone is stopped on the shoulder.

To execute this properly requires a very good awareness of the adjacent lane which requires seeing the stopped vehicle well in advance if traffic is moderate to heavy. I'm particularly poor at this and I often notice too late and then there's no time to get over safely so I buzz the vehicle on the shoulder which is what I should be avoiding.

My bro in law doesn't care nearly as much about flashing when safe to merge back, probably because he drives more aggressively given his confidence level so he's rarely camped out in the right lane getting passed. But he will do the thank you flash of taillights from time to time.

Mostly it's about looking and seeing far down the road. He gets on my case if I'm braking too much and the traffic ahead is clear, or if I'm braking too little and the traffic ahead is stopped. He sees a lot more than I do, probably because he's not wasting brain cells figuring out the gears or trying to push the brake pedal just right.

 

Umm, do all the drivers a favor, do not flash your brights, cycle them for a few seconds, much better. Nothing is more irritating than looking back and someone blasts their brights in my eyes, not bitching at ya, but there’s a better way. I won’t recognize anyone that flashes their brights at me, cut your lights for a few seconds, and I will always give ya the lights back as a thank you.

 

He made a hard left and came up a hill, driving about 1/4 mile before making a right hand turn where the trailer dropped. I asked him if anything was damaged and he said no but there was 30,000 pounds on it. I said, well crank it up, I’ll help you. He said that he was waiting for their mechanic to come. Suit yourself. I drop and hook all day so I always get under and check with a light to make sure that the jaw is fully locked. I had one drop on me way back and learned the hard way. Mine was still on the frame rails of the tractor so I got lucky that I caught it.

 

Wow, That'd have to be a hard pull of a tug test to equal all that driving and two turns. Yep, gotta get a visual on the jaws as well!

 

Back in the saddle for me again today.

 

My monday also, swapped out to that 1999 International this morning, head lights had been replaced w/ aftermarket LED's. Needles to say, it was freezing rain/snow this morning til about noon, the ice built up on the headlights as they don't generate enough heat to keep it melted off. Glad it wasn't dark out, would probably have shut it down. I don't imagine you having that problem with your LED's in San Diego.
Sorry, I didn't take any pictures...

 

It’ll be a bit cold tonight I think. Sacramento shows high 30’s. I don’t see snow in the works though.

 

Monday, 6 days this week. It's my turn to work Saturday. @Aworkinprogress I'm surprised you had issues with the leds. They usually put out a lot of heat. Some of the bulbs even have fans in them to keep them cool. My taco has leds and they stay clear. I have leds in my shop and they put out a ton of heat. I dunno, wierd?

 

The led tails don't keep the snow melted off them either...have a good day guys, time to hit it

 

It's cold enough this morning that my bus is cooling off to 150 at timechecks lol

 

I just punched out on my trip. Walked in to SMF for a ride home. Gonna find breakfast first I think. Stay safe everyone.
Oh, almost forgot, I took the wheel at 1am and missed a left out of the fuel stop, ended in a circular truck wash track. Oops. Had to wake up my bro in law to send it back in reverse. Not quite ready for that yet.

 

Been a hot minute since I drove one of the long bois



Also wouldn't it be just wonderful if people used their headlights at night??

 

I agree, I have noticed this a lot lately. Flash your lights and they still dont turn them on. Like defiant little children.

 

Haha yep. Like how do they notice they can't see anything lol? We run the bus lights all the time for visibility, and I've always done the same in my personal car because safety is number 1

I have also notice a lot of DRLs have gotten powerful enough where people are thinking they have their headlights on, but the tail lights are still off

 

15hr day yesterday, one more run for today... Have fun guys!

 

Yup, humpday, me so tired. I got a 3 day weekend coming up end of the month. I plan to do nothing and just get some much needed rest.

 

Man it got to 45 degrees and sunny yesterday, major snow melting day! Was definitely a windshield washer day with all the melting.36 now and Temps falling today.
Have a good one drivers!

 

truck is broke, electric issues... at least its at home, cant start the day , waitin on the mechanic. have a good day guys

 

It's FRIYAY!! Gotta go in early today, another driver is off. Be safe drivers!