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
@cameltanker1286
5 жыл бұрын
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.
@shaneb1313
6 жыл бұрын
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 ..
@xqiuvmah
3 жыл бұрын
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!
@davidpark3105
4 жыл бұрын
Just wanted to say that you are a gifted storyteller and you obviously know a lot about trucking. Keep doing what your doing man.
@rezamoghadasianrad7743
6 жыл бұрын
also never go to drive thru to get food with semi
@SmartTrucking
6 жыл бұрын
Good advice! Dave
@TonyLambWatchman
6 жыл бұрын
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
@ILovedThe90s1
6 жыл бұрын
Driving tired is the same as driving drunk
@SmartTrucking
6 жыл бұрын
Yes it is! Good point! Dave
@bstanek1014
6 жыл бұрын
Mythbusters proved driving tired was even worst then buzzed driving
@Matt-rz9dk
6 жыл бұрын
Not really
@Joejoes1276
6 жыл бұрын
Worse
@BigDish101
6 жыл бұрын
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
@alfredbrown5899
6 жыл бұрын
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
@larrytaubmann6163
6 жыл бұрын
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
@princenoah21
6 жыл бұрын
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
@MrSpinteractive
6 жыл бұрын
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.
@TomKatt8569
6 жыл бұрын
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
@RayT70
6 жыл бұрын
Thumbs up. How about this one? Never skip the pre-trip.
@SmartTrucking
6 жыл бұрын
Yup, excellent advice Robert! Dave
@happypappy6371
6 жыл бұрын
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.
@daviddunn860
5 жыл бұрын
People nowadays drive like they're Late for the crash. I find that most of Them are right on time..
@cliffgiordane2969
6 жыл бұрын
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
@dumbbo1
5 жыл бұрын
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.
@baldpipesmoker1
6 жыл бұрын
"Doesn't look that bad." Famous last words! 😆
@AMERICANCRPNTR
3 жыл бұрын
As a new driver your advice and experience means a lot. Thank you for sharing
@mr.giraffe7076
6 жыл бұрын
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
@personofaperson7814
6 жыл бұрын
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
@DanaWebb2017
4 жыл бұрын
When going down a hill, never go faster than your jake will prevent you from using the breaks.
@arhgentumm
6 жыл бұрын
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.
@gord2358
5 жыл бұрын
#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.
@markknowles8159
6 жыл бұрын
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.
@gostrydr
6 жыл бұрын
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
@flowergurl0575
Жыл бұрын
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 🥰🚛🛣️
@rhl8673
6 жыл бұрын
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!
@marilynmonroeaviationhd
6 жыл бұрын
I'm a truck driver and I follow these rules
@glsrider
5 жыл бұрын
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.
@MikeO-vx7bq
6 жыл бұрын
You know the old saying, once to fast a thousand times to slow
@elijahpeterson6966
3 жыл бұрын
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.
@pcguysoffgridcabin
6 жыл бұрын
#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!!
@rickojames
2 жыл бұрын
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.
@badgerdog9898
6 жыл бұрын
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
@dansommerfeld8308
5 жыл бұрын
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!
@WrecklessEnterainment
6 жыл бұрын
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.
@gabrielledaniel5977
6 жыл бұрын
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.
@aikdesi964
6 жыл бұрын
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
@DougSConfederateHammer
4 жыл бұрын
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.
@curtisforseth3270
6 жыл бұрын
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!!
@user-dj3dq5cp1u
6 жыл бұрын
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
@allanholiday1690
5 жыл бұрын
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.
@robertbeckom1962
5 жыл бұрын
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
@elmerluzero3puertastechito501
5 жыл бұрын
if you feel tired, pull over and get a 5 minute nap, that will give you enough energy to continue your trip.
@jesusonXTC
6 жыл бұрын
Dave you honestly should be a truck driving instructor! You would make an excellent One!
@humorme5367
6 жыл бұрын
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.
@slappy8941
6 жыл бұрын
Never buy an entertainment system from two guys in a minivan in a truckstop parking lot.
@shaedbuech7361
6 жыл бұрын
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
@User4622Vp
2 жыл бұрын
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.
@thebard320
6 жыл бұрын
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!
@bosco358
6 жыл бұрын
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.
@mikeleo7189
6 жыл бұрын
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.
@ebels3
5 жыл бұрын
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.
@nunovyobeeswax4177
4 жыл бұрын
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!
@robertpayne2717
4 жыл бұрын
I was always told to never go down a hill in a higher gear than you went up in.
@AntonPanteleev
6 жыл бұрын
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
@macbook802
4 жыл бұрын
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
@reverenddickie8116
6 жыл бұрын
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
6 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
@BigMrSox
5 жыл бұрын
#6: Don't use your jakes in icy or wet road conditions, especially running downhill. I've worked with many drivers who had dozens of years of experience driving in the southern USA. They spend 1 winter working in Alberta and most of them ended up in a ditch.
@jeffboyd7780
4 жыл бұрын
I believe that the eld's contribute to high speeds when the roads are bad and the conditions are bad.
@kellypatterson8506
4 жыл бұрын
Then u should stop early.
@RexDogDelivers
4 жыл бұрын
I am not a trucker yet and I appreciate this video more than you can imagine.
@thomaspavelko9412
5 жыл бұрын
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.
@richardmiseljr2413
5 жыл бұрын
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.
@raymondbradley6788
6 жыл бұрын
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
@davidhunt6463
4 жыл бұрын
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.
@boutrous92
6 жыл бұрын
Great advice Dave for all of the new drivers getting into the industry.
@ilkkak3065
4 жыл бұрын
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.
@mikelandreth8773
6 жыл бұрын
And you should never "Ride Your Brakes" down a hill. The Stab Braking Method works !
@garyr7027
6 жыл бұрын
mike landreth bs, a light steady 10 psi to the breaks is the absolute rule of thumb and it works.
@markm0000
6 жыл бұрын
If you got your own truck install air baffles to the brake drums. They will significantly prevent overheating. It costs a little to fabricate but worth it.
@skips1965
6 жыл бұрын
I started driving in '87 and drove OTR until 2009. I was taught 5 - 10 pounds of brake pressure going down a long grade. I have gone down many hills and never smoked the brakes (even without a jake brake) When I heard about the "stabbing method" I thought somebody had a screw loose. I tried the stabbing method once and only once on Route 15 in PA just past the Turkey Ranch truck stop. That is not that big of a downgrade but the brakes started smoking less than 3/4 of the way down the hill. I was going the same speed and had the same load as I always had going down that hill using the other method. BTW ... it's brakes, not breaks.
@jasonlisonbee
5 жыл бұрын
@@markm0000 Are performance brakes that work better when hot available for semis? What about all-wheel discs?
@misslauraj2756
6 жыл бұрын
In certain parts of the Grapevine in CA, the speed limit changes to 35 mph! Do NOT EVER go down the hill fast no matter what other drivers do! My trainer was sleeping when I was training, cops got behind me. So never fly down the hill. Start going slowly and put truck into 8th and 7th gear. Be safe ALWAYS!
@scottydont4742
6 жыл бұрын
Your mountain driving story reminds me a bit of "Wolfcreek Pass" by C.W. McCall.
@dcrog69
4 жыл бұрын
I've been driving trucks for over 20 years, oil truck,septic truck,dump truck,no over the road trucks yet. I too learned the hill thing the hard way, luckily no harm no foul just took a few years off my life from the heart rate lol .I love your stories, One thing I'd add is leave plenty of space between you and the car in front of you. I've seen some cocky guys with way to much faith in their brakes.
@Rubmaster
6 жыл бұрын
I just passed my truck driving license today :D can't wait to get my driver card so I can start working!
@bevissmith4069
6 жыл бұрын
Rubmaster good on you never drive in the uk our driving hours are super strict
@Nickasap
6 жыл бұрын
Good luck just finished my first year. Just don't give up the first year will throw a lot at you and it won't be easy at times.
@Klutch_Undercover
6 жыл бұрын
You are on the right path watching these types of videos. Particularly this guys videos. He offers a wealth of knowledge. Good luck in your career and be safe!
@patrickmcghee.
6 жыл бұрын
Dude don't be excited. You just a slave in a shinny metal box. Don't listen to dispatch, do it your way or die in a wreck. Dispatch wants to impress and doesn't care about you at all
@Sizo377
6 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the video Dave ,it is really informative
@harryrenner3001
3 жыл бұрын
You want to hear an incredible true story? I was traveling over the Blue mountains on I84 westbound in Oregon. and a driver found out fairly early descending the pass. on the west side that he had used up his brakes. and asked for help what too do and should he use one of the escape ramps. and another amazing driver offered to help him. so he sped up and got in front of him. and gradually slowed down until the other driver was able to hit the back of his trailer. which still smashed the front of his tractor. but the other driver was was able to get him stopped. you might think I made this story up but I absolutely tell you I'm not lying. I watched the whole thing happen.
@Bendigo1
2 жыл бұрын
Every time i go down that hill, i see at leas one truck burning up their brakes.
@diamonddog257
5 жыл бұрын
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 ....
@rustypugh123
2 жыл бұрын
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.
@dieseldummy4250
6 жыл бұрын
300hp Mack, probably an e6 mechanical Mack engine, with a 5 speed, jake on full blast just making noise. Better off holding your hat out the window, itd drag ya down more then the jake lol. Love them old macks, dang good trucks. Not speed demons or great riding, but got the job done. A man's truck.
@SmartTrucking
6 жыл бұрын
It was a very reliable truck! Dave
@jimnickles2347
5 жыл бұрын
IME, Macks are Dead-Nuts Reliable because they don't have enough POWER to HURT anything...@@SmartTrucking
@chadnicolia7763
5 жыл бұрын
I still drive one twin stick concrete mixer.
@otr-mtbandfitness
5 жыл бұрын
Good list. Here’s a little one. Never nose into a single spot from a narrow isle.
@psl127
6 жыл бұрын
Hwy#3 is no joke
@Albertalorian
6 жыл бұрын
It sure ends a lot of Bison/TransX/Syndicate/CNTL drivers careers!
@stokarev
3 жыл бұрын
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.
@Kryten428
6 жыл бұрын
6. Make sure you check your reefer set point for the load you have. Back in the 90's I did a lot of Loblaws from Vancouver to the Okanagan several times a week. One day I heard of one of the other drivers not checking his set point and when he got to the first store all the produce was frozen solid. The last load the trailer had done was ice cream. Don't think the boss was best pleased at buying a load of compost for retail prices.
@SmartTrucking
6 жыл бұрын
Man, there's a good one! Thanks! Dave
@vyacheslavioffe268
4 жыл бұрын
Id like to add few points to yours list... Keep your log book straight and neet. Allways do pri tripp inspection.
@KingstonTransit
6 жыл бұрын
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.
@tom27151
5 жыл бұрын
4 and 5 is out the window after ELD After 29 years safe in trucking, i start to hate my job , thx to ELD
@johnsantorawluszki715
6 жыл бұрын
What amazes me is that during good weather days there are so many truckers just taking their time but you get into showers fog blizzards all types of dangerous weather and all of a sudden you got all the super drivers out there not being able to go fast enough and quite a few times when they wreck they delay me as in stuck in traffic sitting having my lunch parked on the interstate along with everyone else. Or worse is that they either caused a death or died themselves thrust their stupidly
@SmartTrucking
6 жыл бұрын
It's those guys that scare the crap out of me. Meatheads with 80,000 lb. trucks out of control. Dave
@elfinko5862
5 жыл бұрын
Saw a truck completely flipped over upside down down a steep hill in the virgina mountains the other night around 3am. I was at about 10 hours in my shift and decided to go to bed. Sends a chill down your spine
@2kool2kare
6 жыл бұрын
"The Lettuce King" So funny, he's such a master at his craft. I never stop learning, that's why I'm here.
@randypurtteman1183
4 жыл бұрын
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!
@DJPereira2012
6 жыл бұрын
Words of wisdom there! See guys flying down the hills here in Arizona! Crazy...
@marcosolivarez9167
6 жыл бұрын
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
@mmtruckingllc657
5 жыл бұрын
Great video, this exact video should be played for students at all trucking schools.
@rustypugh123
5 ай бұрын
I did exactly the same thing, and learned a lesson for life. I was very inexperienced, and had absolutely no experience coming down a mountain. I was 26 years old in 1986, driving a 1985 freightliner with a 350 Cummins, 9 speed and no Jake. I loaded around 45,000 pounds of pipe in Bakersfield to take down to Houston Texas. I made it over Tehachapi with no problems, but coming down Cajon pass I started smoking the trailer brakes and it scared me bad. I stopped at the scales and then pulled over and let the brakes cool down and I ended up making it down. OK but I learned a lesson.
@5thman677
6 жыл бұрын
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.
@dinosaurcomplaints2359
4 жыл бұрын
You as the driver are ultimately responsible for the safety of your rig and cargo. Everybody is different. With different abilities. If you don’t feel you can do it safely, don’t do it! They wanted that load 2 weeks before they ordered it. No load is worth your life or anyone elses! If your dispatcher tries to push you under unsafe conditions, quote the section of the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Manual that says it is your judgement as to wether conditions are safe or not. Always have the necessary funds for a bus or plane ticket home. If the Dispatcher insists, lock the rig up, leave the keys and fuel cards with the manager of the truckstop, tell dispatcher to come drive the truck, he will change his mind pretty quick. There have only been a few times when I’ve had to be that radical, but it works. Read that book it will work in your favor. Document everything. Repeat, document everything. Have fun out there, be safe!
@SmartTrucking
4 жыл бұрын
Exactly right!
@machif5216
5 жыл бұрын
Number 4 is on the DMV test, good advice, thank you we appreciate your tips. God bless you.
@toddmiller5322
3 жыл бұрын
SmartTrucking: Never drive tired Me: Drives 32 hours straight from central Kentucky to Anaheim, CA then gets 6 hours of sleep and drives another 32 hours straight home. It's bizarre to see the sunrise, sunset, and then sunrise again in one trip. First leg was fine, the second one I was experiencing mild hallucinations the last few hours. No I wasn't driving a semi.
@SmartTrucking
3 жыл бұрын
Tough to do these days with the ELD's.
@juliogonzo2718
6 жыл бұрын
I knew a guy who's dad accidentally hauled a load of frozen lettuce for 1000's of km. Think it was a imperial/metric issue lol
@davidmeissner5010
6 жыл бұрын
I have no issue with ELDs. It is the hours of service rules that compel drivers to drive tired. In the old days when we could split our off duty time we could take a nap whenever we needed one, not to mention take a shower, have a good meal, and fellowship with other drivers. But nowadays, the 14 hour window dictates the drive and frankly it takes all of that 14 to get your 11 hours of driving in when you factor in pretrips, fueling, pickups, deliveries, and the occasional breakdown. And if you don't get that 11 in, I hate to say, your job is at risk. The 14 hour window needs to be abolished and splitable off-duty time reintroduced.
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