5 Things Only Truck Drivers Would Understand

5 Things Only a Truck Driver Would Understand - As a CDL Driver, there are some feelings and situations only truckers can understand.
1. Sick When on the Road -- Only a truck driver knows what it's like to be ill, alone and isolated. It's a scary feeling knowing you could be in serious trouble without help or able to even get to your cell phone.
2. A Mechanical Breakdown in Extreme Weather -- When your rig is broken down and weather conditions are bad, it can be very scary. Extreme cold, heat or wind can present very dangerous conditions.
3. Being Away From Home, Especially For Special Occasions or Family Emergencies -- Feelings of guilt can set in when you aren't home for special family occasions or when you are needed when there are emergency situations, and even though you have phone connections with home, you aren't there to offer help or comfort to loved ones.
4. Being Lost, Especially in a Big City -- Being lost when driving a semi truck, particularly in a large city, can be very intimidating. Even with a GPS, maps etc., they aren't always correct, nor do they help get your big rig turned around! A truck driver can be lost in a high crime area, can do damage to property or be involved in an accident, as a result of being lost.
5. Losing Control of Your Truck -- Probably THE worst situation a truck driver can find themselves in, is losing control of the truck. This could be a jack knife slide, too much speed, rolling when taking a corner, whole unit slides, losing your brakes, tire blows or a multitude of situations. There's an intense fear of being in a serious accident and getting hurt (or worse) and/or hurting other motorists.
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[@SmartTrucking]

Thanks for watching! Tell of one of your experiences as a professional truck driver, that only a truck driver would understand.

[@SmartTrucking]

Have any of your experiences made you think of leaving your truck driving career?

[@millionmiler]

Having to go number 2 and having the runs in a blizzard parked on an on ramp no bathroom sorry for being nasty but your trashcan looks incredible inviting

[@millionmiler]

@@SmartTrucking no never trucking is in my blood iam a 2nd gen trucker and my son wants to go into it as well

[@richardmcavoy6413]

I was lost in Chicago. That city was designed for the 1930's. I was like a rat in a maze until I called a special number the city maintained to help truckers out. They told me how to get out of the maze. If I remembered the number I'd post it but I don't. I've picked up at a building that had doorways too narrow to get to the loading dock. It was a shipper in Chicago that operated out of a building that must have been designed for the days of horse drawn wagons. They had poked holes in the back of the building so that modern trucks could load there. I was on your home turf in Calgary on a four lane boulevard that was too narrow for my trailer. I ran in the right lane with a then new 102"x53' Kentucky. I had a choice between encroaching on the sidewalk or about 6" over the line of the left lane. I figured the left lane was more acceptable. As far as control problems, I was eastbound down Donner Pass in California with a loaded straight truck and foolishly tried to downshift. (My pre cdl days). I kept alternating brake and attempting a downshift. I don't know how long I would have kept this up but luckily there is a little parking area not too far down the hill. I pulled in, set the brakes and looked under the truck to see the brakes smoking. That's the first and last time I ever smoked the brakes. And yes, being loaded and knowing how far it was to the bottom of the hill, I was scared. I said a prayer when I got safely stopped. And yes,I know you Canadian truckers scoff at our 6% grades in the U.S. Be safe and thanks for bringing back some forgotten memories.

[@lylelott4637]

@@SmartTrucking I blew a steer tire this past September 24th pulling doubles and ended up on my side in the median. November 18th is my last day in a tractor trailer.

[@terryw1554]

I'll never forget the first time I got lost delivering a load in an unfamiliar city! I wound up hiring a taxi to follow to get me to my destination..... It was the best $30 I ever spent!

[@SmartTrucking]

Good idea!! Dave

[@gmannubs6812]

What you said 👍 I've been a professional driver for 45 years with over 3 million miles under my belt in all conditions ON and OFF ROAD. Had all but 1 of what you mentioned . NO FOOD POISONING ( luckily) . Believe me. I can appreciate what you said. Next year I'll be 70 and parkin it for good. Dont know what I'll do with all that down time. Keep up the good work and keep spreading the good word.👍🚚

[@malikawan1532]

Are you selling your truck next year sir? Lol

[@Udontsay948]

Gman nubs why don’t you write a book about what you’ve observed?

[@gth882]

Thanks for being the real Santa bringing freight here and there,

[@jbtheamericandriver1217]

In Paducah, KY I had a 120 mph tornado go right over the top of my truck while I was sitting in the drivers seat with my seatbelt on. There was roof tin flying by, a small tree was ripped out of the ground, and my truck shook so hard. But thank God I was loaded down about 79,500 lbs which kept me from being lifted up and thrown somewhere..!

[@bradleyselk9642]

I broke down once in northern Minnesota and it was showing -27 on my temp gauge. No cellphone signal and I was in the middle of nowhere. Luckily there was a patch of woods next to where I was at so I used my ax to strip the wet bark off some of the dead trees that were on the ground and used diesel and a road flare to get me a fire going. I was there for about 6 hours when a deputy sheriff came by and saw the fire. He gave me a lift to a hotel and I was able to get my truck towed to a shop the next day. Now during the winter I keep me a few bundles pre packed fire logs in one of my tool boxes. Never hurts to be prepared out there.

[@miguelrobb5719]

What i wanna know is what the hell were you doing with an axe in your truck in the first place? Lol

[@86thsamurai]

Yikes! Hearing your story remindes me I had an extra reason choosing propane over electric for our stove in the truck. Glad to hear you made it out of that. Stay safe.

[@michaelcarroll4934]

Great advice for everyone, thanks.👍

[@BlueDually4x4]

I like that idea, might have to do that myself.

[@bradleyselk9642]

@@miguelrobb5719 It's for hitch hi....I mean in case you need an ax you never know when you might need an ax,right?😐 I'm something of a hobby survivalist, I never travel without a bug out bag and some basic tools. Its paid off over the years😁

[@jackson_68]

Food poisoning...one reason that I very seldom eat at restaurants when I am on the road. If find it safer, as well as more cost-effective, to prepare my own food.

[@wheelman1235]

#4 stands on my mind. Accidentally placing a tractor trailer in areas where maneuverability is very limited, can be very emotionally draining and tiring. We all know those feelings when the roads start to get small and onlookers expression says it all. New truck drivers eventually face this problem. I drive in Europe and these situations often happen. Very disconcerting.

[@tech10171968]

I drive in the US. Guess what? Same thing here. No matter the level of your experience, it SUCKS to have your rig end up somewhere it shouldn't be and not be able to easily maneuver your way out. I've been there a couple of times myself. It's why I NEVER point the nose of my truck in any direction where I have no idea what lies that way.

[@justonlyme6121]

Annibal Moreira European trucks are much more maneuverable than American style trucks, we have both types here in Australia.

[@wheelman1235]

@@justonlyme6121 Good day. European trucks are more maneuverable than those North Americans, although in terms of grandeur, spacious cabs, longitudinal stability, crash boxes and pulling power - North American trucks have the upper edge. I prefer trucks with a tandem axle drive setup, and I'm not really keen on auto transmissions. I've seen those Australian Daf's with the tandem drive and Eaton Fuller eighteen speed : AWESOME. All Europe offers is the unchallenging auto gearbox and the weak single drive axle setup. Very limited options.

[@truckingwithalex4785]

Annibal Moreira the automatics aren’t bad. I drive a 2020 freightliner. Just wish the manual mode actually worked. I miss my 10 speed. (That’s as high as I learned)

[@javanbirdbluerusselling5285]

I’ve been trucking for 30 years now and have had all of those nightmares happen to me. Love listening to your raps sir!. It’s comforting to know there are still likeminded souls here on earth.😎👍👍👍😎

[@daraldhammer3871]

I drove for forty years and everything you describe has happened to me more than once

[@vincej4319]

Except being shot dead. 👀

[@robertl.fallin7062]

@@vincej4319 and we pray that string of good luck continues !

[@ikstrucking3289]

@@robertl.fallin7062 It's not a string of good luck... It's called Lords presence... Relying just on good luck is nothing good to happen, or continue to happen

[@martinduke7364]

Darald Hammer i've drove for 92 years :)

[@haulem]

OTR charter bus drivers can relate to every bit of this. Plus , add up to 50+ people bitching constantly about everything in addition to all of this.

[@SmartTrucking]

You're a better man than me. I couldn't do that job! Dave

[@blssdmf11]

Delivering beer in port of Houston and 20 crack heads looking to rob me.

[@ksolo1960]

Hello Dave, when I was a kid I worked for U-Haul, was towing a 24' truck with a 24' truck to Cincinnati, got lost in a very bad intercity neighborhood and could not get out, streets to small. I was scared to death, thank God after about 4 hrs. A mailman came by and helped me get out of there! Bless him!! Never will forget that, it's a very scary isolated feeling! Love your videos my friend!! Kenny 🤙 🤙

[@SmartTrucking]

Thanks for writing in Kenny! Dave

[@DeannaJacksonDJsDelectables]

I got lost in Syracuse, NY doing a truck recovery at night... Trying to look for a place to park or trying to navigate my way to the highway was a scary experience when I was starting out. There were barely any signs to let you know which direction to go to so I can get on the highway. As far as mitigating food poisoning, I keep tuna, granola bars, a 32-pack case of water, and other nonperishable food in my truck. Also, my fiance called me while I was over the road to ask me to marry him. I got fitted for my engagement ring during home time and have to wait until I get home time again I actually wear it. He had someone custom make an awesome ring out of deer antler, walnut wood, and carbon stainless steel. It's amazing and so beautiful!

[@pheleant]

Congrats Deanna!

[@theronash7269]

That ring sounds beautiful! I wonder how you could share a picture of it!

[@American-Dragon]

In Paterson NJ offloading. Lady pissed in the street and drug deals like crazy. Fools walking back and forth staring at my truck. Makes the job interesting.

[@elljay4587]

1976 Paterson NJ is a cesspool

[@alejandrofallas9734]

Same thing in Newark NJ,whole place is a zhit hole...

[@khan_jeee_8686]

the city was Jersey city,nj where I was at, sleeping on the side of road waiting for jetro cash&carry to open in morning to offload. Same experience with me, lots of prostitution going on and drug dealing, and people plotting on my truck... walking back and forth.. well when I woke in the daylight when it was open I realized they actually had broke into my trailer , luckily I only had Poland spring water that they took few cases of.. but never again!

[@russellbell7580]

It's nice to hear people talking about their fears of driving truck, I've been driving 23 years in the mountains ,City's ,and I've had all of these things happen to me, but pretty much kept it to myself, I still get anxiety when I have to go somewhere new, people think the more years you drive the better it gets,yes you do get more experience and it does help but over the years the little things that happened build up in your head and you're always on the lookout for the next ball to drop, but I still have a love hate relationship with it.

[@robertl.fallin7062]

Have a five gallon bucket with toilet supplys including heavy plastic bags because after learning the hard way to never get tuna fish or egg salad in the summer time, I still got a bug several times. That subway tuna sandwich was no joke! Fear! Westbound out of Joplin ,28° with freezing ice over a two week span. Roads in Ok were treated , untill they won't. Large car lays down across interstate, bottom of hill, leaves just enough space to get thru. Icy road , no braking traction and how I and ten truck behind me made it... A pile up with loss of life closed the interstate for 10 hours. I owe my life to the warning from a east bound driver over the cb.

[@medium_dog7211]

Rolling back on the shoulder of an slightly inclined entrance ramp while I was urinating in the sleeper with the curtains shut

[@the.porter.productions]

Good stuff! Being a trucker and coming from a trucking family has made me a better driver! 😀 I lost trailer brakes going down a hill into town when a 4wheeler pulled out to make a left turn and then he stalled his engine. I put my 4ways on and geared down like crazy while my passenger pulled on the air horns. He was able to pull out just in time!😳 We all had to check our pants after that. I try to check on truckers when I see them on the side of the road. My boys love to see that in action!🤩 Have a great day!

[@SmartTrucking]

You too Driver!!

[@jimmyrockstar907]

I've had many butt puckering moments trucking through Alaska, Yukon, Alberta, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, South Dakota, and North Dakota in the wintertime, but still accident free and very much alive!

[@SmartTrucking]

I take that as a sign that you're a pretty fair hand behind the wheel! Dave

[@weathforjr]

GPS sending me down a wrong "county road" to get to a shipper. Had plenty of time. Turned down what was more or less a gravel mud slip and got stuck for the whole day. Nearest recovery was hours away, and they wanted 2 grand just to show up. Everything else was extra. Also, any time I'm going east in the Apalachias, I make sure my medical poa and wills are current because there are some 10+ mile grades that are TERRIFYING, and every time there's some drivers blowing past me at 50-60mph with loads, and I'm lower gear jake and stab breaking the whlole way down just to keep it around 35-40. Lastly, try getting bad directions from dispatch in Houston TX in rush hour. The only way to approach the dock is the direct opposite way they told you to go, so you got to spend an hour just looking for a turn around, and the receiver marks you "late" because they couldn't be bothered to inform anyone.

[@jamesspafford5985]

My biggest fear in this world, even worse than death, is to be out of control, behind the wheel of an 18 wheeler and I’ve had it happen twice!!! Once passing another truck, and the second was rounding a corner. The road was solid ice around that corner and I forgot my engine brakes were on!!! Took about half a mile to get it back under control!!!

[@seanwarren9357]

Snow and ice + passing + corner = waking up on a cold sweat

[@BuffaloWings713]

Did the fool you were passing slow down for you to get by

[@McClellan71]

@@seanwarren9357 they were separate occurrences

[@davevann2925]

You nailed all 5 Dave, after 32 yrs in a cab, absolutely and they all suck!

[@stevebell4906]

Had the rear window of a daycab shot out on xmas eve and made my delivery and had to drive back home couple of hundred miles...in the rain about 40 degrees F cold and soaking wet....

[@86thsamurai]

Woah! Was you in the truck when it got shot out?! Even if you wasn't, that's still a rough situation for the weather but would've been terrifying if you were in it while it was shot too! Glad you're still with us, stay safe brother.

[@theronash7269]

You sure it wasn't just a rock from your drives? Sure a scare though.

[@seanwarren9357]

#3 just missed trick or treating last night due to sleep and then a crash on the interstate kept me from making I home on time to do it... Home early though and, making the wife breakfast in bed before I go get a tooth pulled lol. Life goes on.

[@tomhoffer9734]

Yeah man, been there.

[@pheleant]

Hope that you get to feeling better.

[@junioranderson4975]

How about waking up out of a dead sleep...jump in the driver seat, stab the brakes and try to steer! 🤣🤣🤣 Happened to in Missouri while parked along the shoulder of an on ramp off of I-44. The dang storm was rocking the hell out that cab. Never forget that.

[@richardyoungman5178]

I do that all the time. Lol

[@olemansailor6519]

Replying to Number 5. I was easing down a long grade with a 10 to 75 foot drop on my side and no guardrail, when I lost traction at around 10 mph. I was grossing about 78,500 pounds and knew what that would do to me if I left the road and my load landed on my cab. The road had been clear and dry up till then with no reports of ice. Traffic had been running 70mph and I had been running about 65mph half listening to the CB for weather and road conditions. One of the oncoming big trucks had just told a truck ahead of me about the road condition once we would drop off of the flat and began a decent to the valley below and all the big trucks instantly began to slow. It had just began snowing hard where I was as I continued north but up till then there had been nothing sticking on the highway. It was around 3:30am and I was chatting with my wife hands free. Road conditions ahead sounded sketchy and I was trying to decide If I should find a place to pull over until daylight and miss my dock time or continue in the dark. I had just seen the lights of a 4wheeler run off the road and jackknife in the ditch coming towards me and I was getting pretty worried. Then my tractor lost traction. It’s a sickening feeling. There is no mistaking the feel the second when you loose traction in a big truck. I told my wife “Oh crap. Here I go!” I surprised myself how calm I was as I felt the drive axels drifting towards the edge in slow motion in the beginning of a jackknife as the trailer slowly pushed me along. God was riding with me that morning. The rumble strip caught my drives just enough to stop the jackknife and I rode the rumble strip for almost a full mile before I had enough traction to get back into the road. Looking behind me I saw several trucks partially jackknifed and saved by the rumble strip.

[@SmartTrucking]

Scary as hell!!! Dave

[@letzrockitrite8469]

Back in 77, one of my fellow Pepsi Route driver out of San Bernardino Cal was descending from Joshua Tree down towards I-10 when the pin holding his steering column to his wheels came loose and went across the median and the northbound lanes and off onto the shoulder.... but came to a safe if only "soiled" stop !.... love the channel Mr and Mrs Smart Trucking !

[@SmartTrucking]

Thank you! Bet that was a fun ride your buddy had! Take care! Dave

[@flat6targa]

Coming up out of the quarry loaded 73K in the winter and having the wheels start spinning. Knowing that if you stop you are going to slide all the way back down backwards. But if you give it more throttle you will spin more and less throttle you won’t make the hill. It’s a 2nd gear hill. Didn’t haul anymore loads that week.

[@63stratoman]

BTDT with #3! Got lost up in Maine and ended up in a narrow, twisty road late at night not knowing where I was or where I was going and no place to pull over. This was years before they had GPS of any sort! Got lost a few times driving dump trucks in Los Angeles ending up on some very interesting “roads” up in the Hollywood Hills and Malibu among others!

[@SmartTrucking]

At least you were in nice neighbourhoods! Dave

[@bmacme9938]

I’m no OTR but I do drive a small tandem axle snow plow in the winter. I was coming back in after a long shift, empty and a four wheeler pulled out in front of me in a curve. I thought I was going to tip over trying to keep from hitting them. I’m so thankful no one got hurt and only Us know what was avoided.

[@tallone09]

Have had all 5 thing happen to me over last 30 years. subway that happen to me. Broke a fuel line in weather like to froze before they got there. Got lost in down town Pittsburgh that was awful and only had 45 foot trailer at the time thank God..

[@joerangel611]

Thank You for all Your valuable videos.

[@SmartTrucking]

Thank you Joe! Dave

[@waltwynn-sandiegonorthcoun8475]

I got caught up on a fire road in Denver at 3:00AM paralleling the freeway for about three miles...

[@SmartTrucking]

Got a chuckle out of me there! Bet that wasn't much fun at the time! Dave

[@NWforager]

during snowpocalypse 2016 from seattle to portland and back there must have been 10+ trucks tipped or smashed or jackknifed in the snow/ice . Schools are pumping out drivers so fast with no info on how and when to chain up properly or get off the road . it was my rookie year and I had time sensitive hot tar in a dbl tanker that had to be there in nine hours which is usually a 3 hour drive . Chaining and unchaining to avoid sliding and tearing up fenders and such took nearly all 9 hours then getting into the refinery where no one had plowed as no one but a skeleton crew had came to work or expected any trucks in such weather . Had to stay in a hotel for a usually 8 hour job .

[@ybrtransportcorp7679]

Thank you for all your videos 👍

[@ultrablue]

Dense fog, black ice, level railway crossing with flashing lights on a narrow two lane regional road. Even with the the truck moving slowly, the red lights in the distance rapidly appeared within inches of the hood, as the rig slid towards a long freight train. I hung on to the steering wheel in sheer terror as the box cars whizzed past the bumper by a whisker. Happened 40 years ago and I've never, ever forgotten that situation.

[@SmartTrucking]

That scared me just reading about it!! Dave

[@kevinlesch9656]

Many years ago working on my father's farm we all came down with the flu thanksgiving night, 24 hour bug. We had a truck loaded with dry corn to go to the mill Friday morning. I was first one to come down sick so I was the first one to start feeling better. We needed the truck empty to haul wet corn out of the field Saturday. Late that afternoon I dragged myself into that old Ford Louisville and listened to the Detroit scream. Got unloaded just before closing went home and back to bed. After listening to that Detroit I realized I didn't feel as good as I thought slept till noon next day. When my dad got to feeling better he thought the truck was still loaded and it'd have to sit till Monday. Your right you never forget those driving sick times!

[@millionmiler]

I stopped eating in the truckstop for years I go shopping when iam home for about 2 weeks safes money and I know who touched it All those memories you bring back

[@RigHauler]

I quit driving truck about 2 years ago after I turned 60 and decided that I've had enough of rolling the dice 🎲 and walking on the edge of a knife every day while driving from Toronto to the East Coast of US. I agree with everything you said in this video and I experienced each and every situation you described in it. Some of them keep coming to me as a nightmares while I am asleep until this day. I remember once I was heading towards US port of entry Kingsgate in BC on the road 95 (3) and it was in March I think. The narrow road was completely covered with ice at that time. Somewhere between Lumberton and Moyie my truck started skidding and I've lost control over it. Couldn't slow it down or steer it in order to change it's direction. I was looking for the point in the ditch where my rig was heading towards with the speed around 60 - 70 km per hour with desperate attempt to straighten it up and re-gain control. This situation lasted only around 5 seconds or so but I got few more grey hairs as a result of it. I was lucky that day and I managed to stabilize my rig and there was no other vehicles on that deserted road so no one was hurt but it was really scary moment of my life and there were so many of them which I will remember for the rest of my life. Thanks for your videos.

[@yhwhswarrior6086]

I-64/77 in West Virginia in winter time. I was going around a curve and the truck slid to the right around a foot. My butthole was in my throat. Thank God I did not wreck. On I-80 going into California a 4 wheeler wrecked out and came maybe an inch from hitting my truck. On I-77 in west Virginia going north there was a Dodge Ram going south in the fast lane on the north bound side.

[@ScottZane]

Sickness while trucking...I can definitely relate. I've only twice ever been sick since becoming a trucker, and both cases I can remember vividly

[@my2monkies]

My 1st trip to Hunts Point, NY. ate a stuffed bell pepper, had to stop on the GWB to keep from vomiting on my dash. And yes I missed a hundred or more of those "once-in-a-lifetime" events. In fairness, looking in the mirror of the 60s,70s & 80s, I recognize dispatchers and customers alike who damn-well appreciated the drivers. Going so far as calling us by name. (or handle) Thanks for the recall Smart Trucking

[@SmartTrucking]

Our absolute pleasure Greg! Thanks for watching and for the laugh about the bell pepper! It must have been bad to make you bail right on the bridge!! Take care! Dave

[@emilioballi]

I really enjoy watching your videos, I'm new to trucking, less than a year with swift. I hope to become an owner operator in about 4 to 5 years, I want to learn the business first. Yes, I carry a rand macnalley paper map, GPS can get really squirrelly and has gotten me lost. Thanks for sharing and hopefully I'll see you on the backhaul, God bless.

[@Tundralifted]

This is my first year hauling milk in a 18 wheeler during the winter, I’m scared crap less because I’m not sure what to expect.

[@SmartTrucking]

Take your time, go slow, leave plenty of room around you and if the going gets too rough, find a safe place to land. Good luck and take care. Dave

[@Gerstberger]

i picked up trash in some crazy mountain neighborhoods and sliding around all crazy was everyday but that feeling of total loss of control, that got a reaction from me in this video Uncle Dave! I felt it in my chest... love your lists keep the rubber side down see you on the backhaul Uncle Dave.

[@SmartTrucking]

Appreciate it! Take care! Dave

[@shawnpa]

Driving a ltl semi across county roads using a GPS which puts you on low bridge routes and 10 ton limit roads makes navigating challenging imo.

[@SirFoodie1904]

Everything you said, I have experienced. I will never wish to happen to anyone. The worst one I had was when I was in Montreal, Canada making a delivery at the Kenworth plant. There was a big snow storm and it was two days before Christmas. I’m from California and driving in a snow let alone in a blizzard was something I never imagined, I drove up this street and I noticed the sign read 18% grade and there were where for me to turn around. I was on second gear on a tag axle truck. My truck and trailer slides from the top of this hill all the way down, at the bottom of this street was a lake there. When my truck and trailer finally stopped at the bottom of the hill, I literally wet my pant in a -10 degrees Fahrenheit weather I was sweating, that’s how scared I was.

[@davesmith9802]

I see subway now and leave them in my rearview mirror till they are out of sight.

[@MK-yg3go]

my first timr in a mountain my brakes up in smoke all over and i just just stopped and started from 1st again and learn the lesson . love ur stories love this channel buddy 👍🏻

[@SmartTrucking]

Thanks! Appreciate it! Dave

[@robertwoelk26]

Traveling in slushy conditions, getting your windshield full and running blind for several seconds, then meeting 2 rigs coming around a bend in the road, on a bridge. You hope you got the right amount of turn in the wheel to not hit the side of the bridge, and not to much to hit the second rig, cause you are totally disoriented. Scariest moment in my truck driving years.

[@SmartTrucking]

Yup, that would cause you to sit up and take notice! One of life's little heart stoppers! Dave

[@daveantd1971]

understand you well as a truck driver myself

[@allenbrindley6241]

My first winter driving.I was on ice,looked in the mirror the back of my truck was all the way over in the other lane.fortunatley I let of the pedal & steered it back.Scary be, no time to think just react

[@cassiuspuckett8789]

The one thing that scares the living hell out of me is being broke down in the middle of nowhere, especially (when you can't run the engine) in the middle of winter, in a snowstorm. Had that happen to me one time. Fortunately, I was out there about an 1 hour and half. The tow truck showed quickly and got me out of there. Another fortunate thing was I had qualcom and was able to get help quickly. But like you, there was a time before, you didn't have Qualcomm or cellphone and you just hope you could get help quickly. I have known drivers who froze to death because of no help quickly. The rest of the stuff you talk about is scary but to me, winter is the worst time to break down. Cause you could be there a couple hrs or a couple days and only buy good luck and Grace will you be okay. But like you say only truckers understand that. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences of being on the road. Till your next video Dave ,stay safe......

[@olemansailor6519]

Replying to Number 3. Before I started driving I spent 20 years in the USNavy. In the 20 years I served, I was over seas during Christmas 8 times. That takes a lot of forgiveness from your children…not to mention all the things I missed being gone for 6-7 months at a time.

[@haynes1776]

I remember catching a stomach virus in New York state picking up a load. I spent days in Binghamton, New york at a truck stop, sick as hell, couldn't eat anything, going to the bathroom constantly. I went to the hospital to get treated for this and eventually I got better. I'll never forget that time.

[@hotlapassassin9434]

Yeah in my short career of one year and four months I’ve been through everything you have mentioned but I still love what I’m doing

[@sam2stu]

ST bringing back memories. Been thru everything except #2. But the worst was having to come down LookOut Pass in a blizzard. I didn't lose control of the truck but my knuckles were as white as a sheet of paper. Oh but I did kinda lose control on I-80 heading into u guessed it Wyoming leaving out of Nebraska. Driver coming the opposite way warned us on the cb thank God he probably saved my life.

[@cementer4life]

Oilfield truck driver here. I know all about missing those holidays and special events. Got to do what you can to make it to the special events. I take vacation during Halloween... at least until my girls get old enough that T/T with daddy isnt cool anymore.

[@wazzaVI]

"I damn near missed Christmas one year" LOL, I haven't been home for Christmas since I started driving.

[@SmartTrucking]

okay when you're single, but not if you have a wife and kids. Dave

[@TruckerMike089]

My scariest incident in a truck, I was pulling doubles along highway 101 on the Oregon coast going northbound. I just got out of Lincoln City and hit a patch of ice and slid into a ditch at 50 mph. Thankfully I was empty otherwise I would've rolled the truck. I immediately jumped out of the ditch through sheer luck and momentum and stopped the truck on level ground to check it. I was shaking from fear in that incident because I got so close to killing myself. Luckily the only damage caused was to the injector in the def system on the truck.

[@86thsamurai]

Glad to hear you made it out of that with minimum damage and didn't get hurt. That could have ended WAY worse. Stay safe brother.

[@waynesmith9765]

Over 50 years and I agree with being lost in a city. The potential for disaster is HUGE.

[@chrismorgan6149]

#1 DOT inspections. Shutdown until expensive mobile mechanic repair is complete, or having it towed.

[@SmartTrucking]

Good one!! Dave

[@johnberry8117]

I got sick as a dog back in 06 on some Mayonnaise that I made a sandwich with. And I was out with my mentor for the 2nd week out learning how to drive semis. I sometimes worry now about going into these Walmart docks .cause if you don’t google earth n see the truck entrance you could be in for a pickle. I can only Try to imagine the things that you have seen or experienced or have had to go through or figure out in your truck driving career Dave ! I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the wisdom n knowledge that you generously share with us subscribers! Take care .😊

[@jeremyjc1978]

A couple times in my career I have been in such high winds with a box trailer that it actually picked the trailer up and moved it and picked the ass end of the tractor up. I thought I was going over a couple times. And I was unfortunate enough to get stuck in a blizzard in Wisconsin once. It was a bad couple days. But since then I've learned a lot. And I carry a whole lot more food, and warm clothes in the winter

[@SmartTrucking]

Always a smart practice!! Dave

[@josephbillett7210]

Got a windshield shattered by a beer bottle from an overpass on the cross bronx thruway in the middle of the night. pieces of glass all over me. I smelled the beer is how i figured it was a beer bottle. Couldn't get out of bed for at least 30 minutes at a delivery point in Easton Pa. due to some ongoing back trouble and in a cabover Freightliner. Makes your mind think strange thoughts! Been through most of the other things plus some more except losing control going downhill on slick roads. Thank God!

[@ricardomartinez868]

Adding to what you said about being broke down on the side of the road out in the middle of who the crap knows where. Is trying to give direction so that roadside can find your location

[@HunterWolfgang]

My son is 4 years old today. Happy Birthday Hunter! Be home in a few days 😎

[@SmartTrucking]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FROM ALL OF US TOO HUNTER!!!!!!!! Dave

[@dino11216]

Stay out of West Virginia in the winter. Seeing your trailer coming at you is a sight you will never forget.

[@SmartTrucking]

Yep. I hate it when my trailer pulls out to pass! Dave

[@persistentbc6889]

Absolutely FACTUAL

[@thecarguy9195]

Something that will always give you the nerves and shake you to your core is oversized and wide loads. Such as excavators and dozers. Especially in a city setting.

[@SmartTrucking]

i never had the nerves to try oversized. First bridge I couldn't get under, I'd probably blow a gasket and leave the thing right there and quit. Bad attitude huh? Dave

[@shawnjarman9860]

I’ve experienced the first three, After 16 years over the road, never been lost, never lost control of my rig, have had some close callers when 4wheelers, and pedestrians, but been able to maintain control

[@davidwooten3430]

I am not a trucker, but I pulled a 16 ft fully loaded utility trailer when I moved from TX to SD. At the River that splits SD I started down a steep slope down to the river too fast without trailer brakes. I didn’t know how to handle it fully, but I got to the bottom and around the curve safely just tapping brakes to try not to speed up. I knew I could not overbrake without risking losing trailer control. I know now to watch for those situations and slow down before while downshifting to use my engine revs to help me keep control now. I may invest in trailer brakes living in the hills.

[@davesmith9802]

I was in Indiana, ate at a subway, took my 10 hour break. When I came off my 10 hours, I did not miss a single truckstop because subway gave me drippy issues that ended just before entering Ohio.

[@jeffwindsor1702]

Wow, you nailed this one . I've experienced everyone except # 5. Great video and keep up the good work.

[@SmartTrucking]

Thanks Jeff! Ride safe! Dave

[@karolmularczyk9821]

Yeah I hear you about going down down the mountain with no control going sideways that happened to me about 10 years ago I was on 94 going westbound between the Border Lines of Wisconsin and Minnesota where it comes down we got a light drizzle just enough to make the roads slick and believe me that was the scariest scariest thing I ever had to live through I hope I'll never have to go through that again

[@1iota1420]

I took this past winter off because, believe it or not, I experienced every one of your examples over the past 5 yrs. Still, no job like driving 😊👍

[@BalwinderSinghDeol]

I cant forget my first trip. We were on Highway 17 travelling east. I was driving 09 freighliner cascadia. There is a down hill with big curve. I started to gain speed. I believe I was doing about 80- 90 kmph. I didnt know what to do. I thought we are heading straight into the lake. That one I would never forget

[@SmartTrucking]

And no time to hop into the bunk and change into your bathing suit! Yup, there are some serious hills with a view on 17 for sure! Dave

[@ryanrave19]

How has no one said having diarrhea on the road? Thats the absolute worst.

[@MikeVroman]

How about driving out of Cincinnati on I74 with the temperature dropping in the rain down to freezing and seeing a Greyhound bus turn sideways about a tenth of a mile up ahead? By the time I straightened out myself, I was wide awake for the rest of the day.

[@driver4818]

Be safe out there Drivers! I Always love watching your videos Dave! Thankyou for another awesome upload!!

[@SmartTrucking]

Thank you! Appreciate it! Dave

[@jeffh7021]

I hear you brother. I came down the smasher sideways beside another guy who was also sideways. That was with chains on! I've never felt more helpless. We both managed to straighten out near the snow shed but wow, I won't forget that ride soon.

[@brianjonker510]

#2 Must be why Smart Trucking has so much nostalgia about cab overs

[@Ryan-xq2ot]

Not long after I started driving (still only been driving about nine months) one night I went through a tunnel in WV weather was clear and fine on one side so I was going around 55mph. When I got out the other side I was hit with 30mph wind and a freezing rain sleet mix. I felt the truck and trailer slide and checked my mirror to see the beginning of a jackknife luckily there was no other vehicles near me. I got it straightened out and slowed down then 1/2 mile up the road a truck pulling doubles had jackknifed and was on its side. Definitely not a good feeling I'm much more careful with tunnels now

[@christopherb.f.shorescarol3178]

Damn you know what’s crazy is I got food poisoning from a Subway too, just our luck huh? I remember one time I was in Idaho going up a 8% grade in the dead winter and different have chains, I didn’t break down, I was lucky the truck stayed running but I was stuck on that damn mountain for 3 days because of all the snow.

[@SmartTrucking]

That's a long time to be stuck up there! Trips like that, you don't want to repeat! Dave

[@danielaguirre2516]

There was a time when I was learning on driving a truck and I was going 55 on the street and the light turned yellow on me and I was still far from crossing the lane so I decided to floor it but instead i knew I wasn’t going to make it so I pushed on the brakes hard. Then when I came to a stop I smelled something burning and thought I burned the brakes when really it was the tires that were giving the smell.

[@Alex462047]

I dodged an overtaking car that was performing Swan Lake on the left side of a road thinly covered in fresh snow without salt under it. The only thing twitching faster than the ABS was my backside. That was the other day too. Lucky he stayed on the road instead of taking a nosedive into the ditch. I got sick out of Canberra once. I don't know what I ate, but the first technicolor yawn hit me so fast that I didn't get a chance to stop. I just managed to get the window down before leaving a speed stripe down the side of the truck. Believe me, holding a semi straight while you're heaving your guts out is far harder than it sounds. That was a hell of a trip.

[@C-Dub487]

Driving on a crazy narrow NJ turnpike on a rainy night. Never been there before, so a little uncomfortable. The windshield started to fog up a tiny bit so I reached down and turned on the defroster and the entire windshield INSTANTANEOUSLY fogged over! Completely blind, trucks on the side and in front of me... I tore off my hat and used it to wipe off a little hole to see through until the rest of the windshield cleared up. Raises my blood pressure just thinking about it.

[@SmartTrucking]

Scary for a few seconds!

[@canceraxe1447]

My uncle used to long haul in south east Asia and carries gas stove and fire woods all the time! It’s good to get prepared

[@slr379x9]

Sliding backwards down an icy hill out of control is worse than losing it going foward. And both situations will scare you to death. Slid backwards once and it is the most hopeless feeling there is driving. Almost always means a rollover but I was fortunate.

[@SmartTrucking]

Thank god! Did you still wreck? Dave

[@nicholasrobertson3452]

Yes sir. All 5 points you made are 100%.

[@ShadowEdits.1s]

Being sick on the road, worst experience ever I was in a day cab and the only good thing that was good was we had a new dispatch that took forever to give us our next loads.

[@HMMELD]

All of those have happened to me. Not food poisoning, but definitely sick on the road. Something happened to me one night where I woke up with very little energy. I couldn't walk the length of the truck without stopping to catch my breath. I still made it cross country to Calif when, as I was unloading, somebody called an ambulance. The hospital told me how close to death I came. Took 3 months to recover completely, it was the first of a series of hospital stays which eventually made it so I couldn't work at all.

[@ethanbalsavage2578]

I broke down once in the middle of the street in Queens NY and it was hell on earth. People honking and cussing at me while I waited 5 hours for a tow truck.

[@SmartTrucking]

Yup, that would be no fun at all!

[@arcticfox5118]

Done all 5 of those. Have horror storys for all 5 as well. Especially the weather and home ones. ive only been driving 7 years. since i was 22 and its like seeing snapshots of life. Every time i came home, more was diffrent. Old friends had or have kids, more things i loved have vanished or changed. Used to resent the hell out of my dad for never being there when i was a kid with his being a trucker and leaving me alone as the oldest male with all.that entails. Now as a trucker myself i understand him a lot better and regret those years of hate and resentment. At least we are pretty close now

[@SmartTrucking]

That's a good thing. Better late than never. Who was it said " you've got to walk a mile in their shoes "? Wise man, whoever it was. Dave

[@TheDecco75]

You r right, .......been there in all of those situations !!!!!

[@erwinbrubacker7488]

8 yrs experience: lost up in Chicago once,within first 1.5 yr. Driven thru Yonkers NY Rainy & narrow sts. Sharp turns, to deliver awnings to mall. Gotta go 30 min break is over.

[@simman1572]

I have been ran off the road by a truck he was going the same speed as me and without warning he came into my lane his truck was close enough to where i could reach out the window and touch the truck

[@hudson8865]

Thank you very much.

[@kevinskogmo4509]

Number 5 for me.never want to go through that ever again.Still at it,every time someone pulls out in front of me I get that fear running through me,I give them the horn.Not because I’m mad,maybe the embarrassment is enough to make them think.Just can’t stop,and people get killed,so yes I let them know,the next time they do it to a driver may be the last.The whole world is in a hurry,may even to get killed.love your videos,I’m a big fan,many of my relatives from Canada,miss the language.Even though I drive Readymix,I get a lot of learning from you old timers.

[@SmartTrucking]

Thanks for watching and for writing in Kevin! Dave

[@douglasburnett7731]

I delivered in Fulton County Georgia. Very near Atlanta or maybe part of Atlanta. If the traffic in Atlanta doesn't get you wound up, delivering in this area will. I was glad to roll out of that place.