5 THINGS TRUCK DRIVERS SHOULD NEVER DO!

[@Slowdwood]

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]

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]

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]

Absolutely

[@driver3025]

Shaneb73 20 mins is the perfect amount.

[@Tiggerpepper]

Shaneb73 agreed friend

[@i-95southfloridaboy55]

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

[@davidstory2231]

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

[@rezamoghadasianrad7743]

also never go to drive thru to get food with semi

[@SmartTrucking]

Good advice! Dave

[@xqiuvmah]

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]

Good job!

[@ILovedThe90s1]

Driving tired is the same as driving drunk

[@SmartTrucking]

Yes it is! Good point! Dave

[@bstanek1014]

Mythbusters proved driving tired was even worst then buzzed driving

[@Matt-rz9dk]

Not really

[@Joejoes1276]

Worse

[@davidpark3105]

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

[@TonyLambWatchman]

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

[@Cryptonymicus]

Just like Reuben the Bohemian Cowboy says.

[@SmartTrucking]

That's right! Dave

[@swaghauler8334]

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]

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

[@2bituser569]

Gytis Baranauskas Jagmort if they can pierce your body back together

[@MrSpinteractive]

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

[@SmartTrucking]

Yup! Not a good feeling! Dave

[@Therevdon]

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.

[@BigDish101]

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

[@Trucking4Jesus]

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

[@RayT70]

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

[@SmartTrucking]

Yup, excellent advice Robert! Dave

[@cliffgiordane2969]

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

[@SmartTrucking]

Me too! Agreed! Dave

[@princenoah21]

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]

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

[@TomKatt8569]

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

[@larrytaubmann6163]

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

[@mr.giraffe7076]

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]

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

[@SmartTrucking]

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]

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]

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

[@Cobra4993]

yep I've seen some XPO in the ditch myself

[@happypappy6371]

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]

That's right! Dave

[@ethang6735]

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]

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]

kobudo I agree 100% exactly

[@neil78b]

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]

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

[@dumbbo1]

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.

[@personofaperson7814]

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]

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]

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]

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]

The jokes on him!

[@christopherclements5909]

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

[@alfredbrown5899]

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]

He was right about that! Dave

[@AMERICANCRPNTR]

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

[@pcguysoffgridcabin]

#6 don't drive for Swift.

[@markm0000]

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

[@kevinkenner8007]

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]

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

[@profilename5684]

Number 8 don't lease

[@gen1fierro]

Seems like most drivers started at swift!!

[@robertbeckom1962]

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]

That's right! Dave

[@baldpipesmoker1]

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

[@stokarev]

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.

[@badgerdog9898]

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]

You too Bander! Dave

[@jesseharper9622]

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

[@gord2358]

#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.

[@gabrielledaniel5977]

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.

[@rhl8673]

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]

Good way to do it! Dave

[@DrFruikenstein]

I like the rules of your game.

[@KissTheBlarneyStone]

Hell yeah that's what I do.

[@TheMrlojack]

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

[@charlesrantin3220]

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

[@ebels3]

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.

[@bchydrotransit]

I'm a truck driver and I follow these rules

[@curtisforseth3270]

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!!

[@flowergurl0575]

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 🥰🚛🛣️

[@allanholiday1690]

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.

[@aikdesi964]

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]

Will do, thank you sir! Dave

[@glsrider]

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.

[@markknowles8159]

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]

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

[@ad356]

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.

[@MikeO-vx7bq]

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

[@arhgentumm]

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

[@Daniel-z2j2v]

Goran Trtanj I get less sleep on ELD.

[@ethang6735]

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]

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

[@mariannewestrope3888]

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]

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

[@rickojames]

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.

[@bosco358]

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]

Thank you! Dave

[@brianvandorp25]

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]

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.

[@123jozef]

I've seen a few guys run too slow down the hill, they didn't kill themselves, but since they were pumping their brakes they finally got a fire going... at that point the hill was a straightaway to flat ground. They could have just let it go and put the fire out, but they stopped and emptied their fire extinguisher on the brakes. There's no way a fire extinguisher will have ANY effect on burned up brakes.... this was back in the day.. and it was a team of Schneider drivers. I would say also that prior to the hill, I kept passing them up because they thought every single downgrade was the actual "Hill" and they had already gotten their brakes nice and toasty. The only reason I caught them going down with their burned up brakes was because back in that day, I always stopped at the brake check and adjusted my brakes and let my brakes cool a little before i went down. I also NEVER let my foot up when I'm going down the hill and I always have my 3 Stage Jake helping me out..... no issues with even a wisp of smoke. Not texting, great advice.. it only takes a millisecond of loss of attention to waste a 4 wheeler or rearend someone. What I would add is NO PICTURES or FILMING either... some guys say "I'm looking at the road THROUGH my camera, well... in essence that is better than looking down and away from the road, but it's still not safe. The other thing is, since it's against the law to play with your phone, these guys that have I-phones loaded with music .. well, they put their phones low so that nobody can see them... and then they go "song-searching" which is FAR MORE DANGEROUS than any of the other scenarios I mentioned. Drivers get bored. They can dust the passenger side of their truck down while driving, they can clean the floormat on the passenger side while driving..... it's tough, I know. You get bored. I think in the end, if the driver is fortunate enough, he will have a CLOSE-CALL that scares the SHIZZ out of him and maybe that will be a deterrent. Look at Instagram... all those pictures and videos (for the most part) were taken by drivers while DRIVING. Maybe this is an issue you can talk about. Too bad you can't really post up the pictures and videos you will find where you KNOW The driver was holding his cell phone and filming... especially when they do it out the side-window instead of the windshield. There are literally SO MANY things a professional driver SHOULD NOT do, you'd have to write a book on the subject. I just chalk it up to common sense and logic. I used to do quarterly safety meetings for a very large trucking company in the Pacific Southwest... and I had to do meetings weekly at all of our on-site locations that were spread around the country. I always had to come up with new material, so I used my 35 years of driving experience, but I also had to really think. What is the definition of Safety? That would be my first question and usually, nobody could actually define safety clearly. "the condition of being protected from or unlikely to cause danger, risk, or injury." This begins the second you wake up in the morning and follows you until you hit the sack. From standing up safely to lying down safely, walking on wet floors, etc., etc., ~ Safety is a topic and an issue that can become overwhelming with some companies (take a look at UPS's Safety Rules for their drivers) RIGHT DOWN to NO LEFT TURNS! NO BACKING UP! it's pretty insane, but reading through the material is quite educational. Each issue that is impressed upon the driver has a ton of research and statistics behind it. It's definitely worth the time to read through. The only question I would have is "how could you possibly get any work done with all of the regulations?"

[@106-k9t]

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]

You too Nick! Take care! Dave

[@elijahpeterson6966]

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.

[@gostrydr]

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]

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

[@kiddoutlawe9955]

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

[@thebard320]

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]

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!

[@curtiskretzer8898]

ELD has had report from University of California stating that the implementation has made a climate that is increasingly & steadily LESS safe.(Electronica is worst thing that has EVER happened to me in 28 years of being an operator[coming up on year 30 & barely making it]I am less safe of a driver & have hurt myself horribly because of safety senselessness).Really happy every1 is so impressed w/AOBR & ELD

[@AntonPanteleev]

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]

Thank you! Dave

[@dansommerfeld8308]

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]

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

[@shaedbuech7361]

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

[@harryrenner3001]

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]

Every time i go down that hill, i see at leas one truck burning up their brakes.

[@boutrous92]

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

[@jonathansparks7558]

The one trucker song from the late 60’s early 70’s called Nitro Express about a trucker dropping a drive shaft and trying to make it down the mountain so his load doesn’t blow up the town at the bottom of the hill. 😘😘😘😘

[@jesusonXTC]

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

[@DanaWebb2017]

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

[@mikeleo7189]

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.

[@dinosaurcomplaints2359]

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]

Exactly right!

[@machif5216]

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

[@ilkkak3065]

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.

[@scottydont4742]

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

[@christopherrobin1505]

Kelowna to Castlegar in the winter is a nasty drive. I did it for a year straight hauling pulp, nights. Not fun

[@markcrunkleton831]

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

[@randypurtteman1183]

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]

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]

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

[@marcosolivarez9167]

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

[@diamonddog257]

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 ....

[@robertpayne2717]

Here in Arkansas some of the mountains are not recognized as mountains by another of west coast drivers but by my math a 6 or 8 percent grade is the same in Arkansas or California or Colorado length and duration might be different but the percent is the same

[@elmerluzero3puertastechito501]

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

[@lucillewagner4162]

Sad ole feelin when them brakes get spongy, after 17 years runnin over the road with no jake brakes ,i paid pretty close attention to them tandem brakes ,when they started puffin smoke ,i eased on the shoulder and let them cool ,i didn't know they can write you a ticket for that ,I'd rather pay that ticket than have my family pay them funeral expenses .

[@SmartTrucking]

For sure!

[@raymondbradley6788]

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]

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

[@manfredkallmeier5364]

I like the way your teaching ground Rules😉👍You got experience-speciall young drives should listen to that!👼🚛! I started in Gravel Buisiness when I wos 20-grew up on a farm since 1998 I'm a VOLVO OPERATOR-been also "introducing" many Drivers on articulated Haulers and Wheel loaders, but I been also driving dump Trucks, Semitrailer and 4axle Trucks for a short time-MAN , MERCEDES BENZ , SCANIA. Nice Videos you got on KZbin!🇺🇸🇩🇪👍🎰🛢️🚛

[@SmartTrucking]

Thanks Manfred!

[@manfredkallmeier5364]

@@SmartTrucking You're welcome!

[@Oldguy1900]

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.

[@thomastruthseeker]

Thumbs up on the no texting alone, but great video!

[@SmartTrucking]

Thanks!

[@humorme5367]

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

[@SmartTrucking]

Exactly right! Dave

[@humorme5367]

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]

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

[@mmtruckingllc657]

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

[@RecklessEnterainment]

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

[@marcushennings9513]

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.

[@jonny2waggons825]

Hey Dave, another great video. Some great advice here. As a 30 year driver, I've spent most of it going up and down the hills in British Columbia with lumber wagons and A trains. B.C has some of the most technical hyws in north America, and you better have a lot of respect for them. Every load every day is different. If your new,and traveling here dont be afraid to talk to the oldtimers. And if your an oldtimer share you knowledge with those who ask for it.

[@SmartTrucking]

Excellent advice and on the money! Thanks Clayne! Dave

[@johnm6642]

Good ideas. All common sense. And all proof that a lot of people don't have common sense. Keep up the good work I like your videos

[@SmartTrucking]

Thanks John! Dave

[@shaneworden5095]

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

[@onelilndn1744]

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

[@dalejohnson9342]

Every thing you mentioned is good for not just truckers, but also car drivers. The only thing that is not applicable to car drivers is the one about the reefers. The other four I see people screw up all the time and wonder how they survive.

[@Rubmaster]

I just passed my truck driving license today :D can't wait to get my driver card so I can start working!

[@bevissmith4069]

Rubmaster good on you never drive in the uk our driving hours are super strict

[@Nickasap]

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]

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.]

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]

Thanks for the video Dave ,it is really informative

[@otr-mtbandfitness]

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

[@nunovyobeeswax4177]

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]

Absolutely!

[@garydean6578]

Good advice bro.

[@SmartTrucking]

Thanks!

[@5thman677]

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

[@markm0000]

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

[@duel1009]

You make a very good job with your Videos ... for Drivers they will learn, it's a very good thing 👍 I know all this Problems ... you so right ! One Night, I'm driving ... and i was so extreme tired, i saw a big silver bus ... left hand from my Truck. I take my brakes... and the Bus was gone ... there was no Bus - extreme dangerous. Thank you for your Videos, very good Job 👍

[@Kryten428]

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]

Man, there's a good one! Thanks! Dave

[@abdullahibnyusuf2291]

I would put never drive tired on number one.

[@localrider4857]

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

[@SmartTrucking]

My pleasure sir, glad to help!

[@nrood3821]

the texting part i agree with. i see people cause accidents alot in regular cars from texting. put the phone down while driving

[@killbilly069]

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

[@vyacheslavioffe268]

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

[@johnsantorawluszki715]

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]

It's those guys that scare the crap out of me. Meatheads with 80,000 lb. trucks out of control. Dave

[@clarencejones7916]

Forget to get out and look at the back of the truck before backing up at a stop light in a residential area ( didn’t see the car directly behind me)

[@clarencejones7916]

the truck drifted backward actually

[@Crawlerjamie]

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

[@jameshazen8281]

Park next to a swift truck. Hit a swift truck. Let a swift truck park next to you drive downhill in front of a swift truck work for swift