The Deadly Dangers of Trucking

[@Autoleet]

One thing I would like to add to this is when you're opening your trailer doors when loaded. Open one door at a time. Never open both at the same time. You never know if your load has shifted or not until you open the doors and its too late. Happened to me. Double stacked units of corrugated boxes that weighed a good 1000lbs each. I made two mistakes, did not secure the load with a load bar, and opened both doors at once because I was in a hurry. One unit was leaning against the doors and fell completely out. I managed to see it coming so I got out of the way in time. I was very fortunate because that unit could have easily crushed and killed me.

[@MichaelRCarlson]

Not to mention even a gust of wind can grab those things and look out!

[@Cryptonymicus]

Guy on another channel told about air pressure in the box blowing open a door and taking a couple of teeth.

[@jsj297]

Autoleet wow, glad you are ok, and shared this info, could save another life! And as a medic, I concur, that probably would've ended your existence.

[@InjunOutdoors]

Had a similar experience Had a load of recycled plastic in triple wall cardboard boxes, load locks in place. I had a habit of opening doors slowly and sure enough, the bottom boxes collapsed and plastic chip started to pour out. Luckily, not much spilled at the dock. Had to move out and they brought in a skid steer to clean up the mess. Glad I didnt just fling open the doors! Supervisor was ticked as he warned the shipper to stop using old boxes.

[@fooman2108]

One receiver I have delivered to has a standard policy to have a strap across both doors of big units of cardboard. Since that shipper usually seals trailers before you get the trailer, usually no load locks.

[@tman5066]

thanks very much for this Video...! 1. Driving Tired 2. Distracted Driving (texting) 3. Driving too fast for conditions 4. Choosing the wrong neighborhoods 5. Proper Pre-Trip Instruction and Brakes 6. Pining up the Trailer 7. Never get underneath the Trailer 8. Stay Alert in Trucking Yards and parking lots 9. Don't climb up high on the Trucks 10. Use caution when under-neath a Truck 11. Don't mess with the Brake Chambers 12. Watch your footing when climbing up on a load

[@rodneystewart8958]

The easiest way to get hurt is overconfidence and cockiness

[@tomswinburn1778]

It's hard not to get complacent when doing something you've done 10,000 times. That is human nature. But it'll kill you. You have to pay attention, every time.

[@foggymountaindispatch2118]

Perhaps, but lack of confidence can just as easily cause and accident. I think people should pass a physics test before getting a license. Maybe an IQ test too.

[@AM-jz1wb]

lack of confidence is just as bad.

[@jamiemelott4151]

ALWAYS maintain three points of contact when climbing in or out of your truck. Remember to get out ass first when you climb down the cab or the trailer. I learned that the hard way when I nearly broke my leg trying to hop out of the truck.

[@srmj71]

I learned the bulk of what I know about spinning 18 and actually making money from the older guys. I figured they're older, still driving, what they're telling me must be the best way, or they wouldn't still be doing it. I'll take an older drivers advice over any young buck, any day of the week. Great video!

[@tonyliuzzo2303]

I'm glad u mentioned never go underneath trailer especially when loaded I've seen a couple trailers break in half was not pretty

[@harold562]

1- be dumb and don't put the breaks, then put foot under. 2- turn engine off and do pre-trip right after (if you know what i mean "hot stuff") 3- park in dark areas and sleep for the night, even with empty trailers 4- crank trailer and dont watch out for face to be out of the way of the handle 5- not using gloves to crank handle (rusty iron, getting cut) 6- touch the exhaust right after regeneration 7- looking at your phone while walking in front of pumps, or parking lot at the truck stop 8- get the damn out of the way from a backing truck ..... how many times we gotta say it? 9- wearing dark clothes and doing just what i said before. 10- trying to fix a clearance light, not smart 11- slipping off the steps because you didnt have a good grip, or truck is tilted. 12- opening trailer doors and not getting out of the way, or not using door as a shield 13- not securing loads 14- breaking too hard, now all your cargo in the trailer is right inside your sleeper 15- driving tired 16- following too close for conditions 17- not paying attention 18- being dumb 19- being in a rush (rush = mistakes and mistakes kills) 20- did i miss something?

[@SmartTrucking]

Don't think so! Good job! Dave

[@MrTimkalla]

In 1979 I was stopped in California I-10 west bound scale for air leak on the chamber , at the time I did not know what was inside of it and I did try to open it up , lucky an other driver topped next to my side and he did see what I was trying to do . Thanks God he came at right time to stop me , otherwise I would had been dead from that spring .

[@robertl.fallin7062]

.... good deal! Your video is spot on. Do a post trip and put your hand on each tire. A basic check but a hot tire should be checked. Blowing a outside tire on the interstate has more issues than just having to stop for a tire change. I too worried about some who were not listening to old timers ( like our own children .) It is a blessing to have men who teach by example . . And without judgemental dialog .

[@Akus75038]

1:21 please elaborate and make a separate video for the newbies on how to know neighborhood is dangerious in advance so you can either go during the daytime or not at all.

[@dimefever1006]

Thanks for sharing your experience with us!

[@SmartTrucking]

Thanks for watching! Dave

[@DirtyDeerock]

Driving the ice roads north of Yellowknife, speed limits are super low and the cell phone don't work. The biggest cause of accidents is definitely sleep deprivation. Every day of the ice road season I see at least 5 accidents, some of which are very bad, all of which are easily caused by drivers being sleepy. Get your sleep, too hell with dispatch. If your tired, rest. Make it home too your family safe and rested

[@SmartTrucking]

Truer words were never spoken!! Dave

[@eddgong]

You are one giving man ,to take the time to share your experience , you probably give new drivers smarts that would take them years to learn by T and E and lord knows most other drivers will let you mess up or worse before giving you advice or a helping hand ..

[@MattPerk7]

What you said about being on decks or strapping down loads is ESPECIALLY important for car haulers

[@mrj-charles6383]

In my rookie years of driving I drove across the state of New Jersey asleep I think. Fortunately the truck was parked nice and straight but I had no clue where I was when I woke up. Looked like a crazy man when I asked somebody where I was . Since then I've been very careful not driving when I'm tired

[@Sara-L]

Winter time is an extreme danger even if you're not driving. My store had a delivery that was 13 hours late because the original driver slipped and fell off the back of his trailer when he stepped on the very end, reached for the handhold and lost his grip because it was covered in ice. He hit the pavement and broke his arm in two places. Make your equipment ice-free before you climb onto it.

[@kellypenrod8863]

Hey Dave, Talking about the unexpected ways to get hurt out here I had a good one happen to me a couple months back that I sure as he'll didn't ever expect. I had loaded som tool joint sections and had gotten up on trailer with my trusty big pry bar to slide these joints tight done this for years, these joints weigh about 7.000 lb. each, jam my bar in and lift, joint don't move, reset,this time I put some ass to it, The fkn BAR BROKE! (Bullwinkle don't know his own strength) I flew backwards off trailer hit hard,broke shoulder blade and 4 ribs . never saw that one coming, I have used that old railroad bar for 40 or 50yrs. just goes to prove, ya can be doing everything right and still get hurt or killed in this job. Stay safe out there drivers.

[@SmartTrucking]

Man, that hurt just reading about it! Hope you healed up okay! Dave

[@kellypenrod8863]

Smart-Trucking.com Yeah, I healed up ok, BUT, I think I'm just getting to OLD FOR THIS S%$#!!!! Used to bounce like a bumble, Now, I just land like a sack of s#!!! and it hurts more AND longer!!Lol!! Stay safe out there drivers and have a good one😎

[@redsox2187]

Circle checks are NEVER a waste of time. You never know what you might find while doing "the circle"...

[@SmartTrucking]

Absolutely right! Dave

[@christophermounts2279]

Smart-Trucking.com I am going otr in a couple of weeks. I heard the only stupid question is one not asked. Could you explain what a circle check is? Thanks

[@alexpowers3697]

Don't forget: use a headache rack when hauling pipes.

[@heffoandjuff5903]

If I might add something to this subject is the danger of "Chaining Up". I used to drive a dedicated mail route which took me on I-5 Washington state over Snoqualmie pass. In the winter I had to chain up when the interstate was covered with snow and I always hated doing that because I would have to get under the tractor to get my driver wheels chained up. It was very dangerous not to mention laying down in the snow and dirt. Another problem was that when hauling mail, the trailer was very light and in icing conditions I was constantly watching my mirrors to make sure that trailer was not slipping around in the snow and ice.

[@SmartTrucking]

Ah, winter driving in the northwest. Separates the boys from the men. Dave

[@heffoandjuff5903]

You got that right my brother!

[@dennisaustin6058]

I watched a video by Indiana Jack where he showed a abandoned gas station where a trucker was out of driving hours and parked there to sleep and was and was murdered for less than $10.00 !! All he was doing I think was checking the trailer, he warned all truckers to avoid empty lots and mall parking lots and try to find a fenced guarded lot to park in it gets expensive but its safer. Truckers should get paid a higher wage, trucking cost this person his life all for stupid regulations.

[@danielkennedy1524]

Excellent Dave! All good advice. Common sense prevails! Thanks

[@SmartTrucking]

Thank you! Dave

[@lukecrutchfield8613]

My uncle is a rig mechanic and got pinned under a truck in the yard looking for an air leak. Didn't realize the truck was settling as fast as it was until he couldn't get out. He wasn't harmed but he was shaken up. It was 15F out that day and it took almost an a hour and a half for someone to find him because he couldn't get his phone out of his pocket.

[@SmartTrucking]

Scary as hell! I'd heard about a driver at a truck stop one time that had the same thing happen to him! Dave

[@rondyechannel1399]

Watch what you say on the CB! 45+ years in the seat and the last were the most dangerous with distracted and road rage big rig drivers. I had 3 occasions in the last 5 years where complete crazed drivers attempted to wreck me for the tiniest remark, even when you see them doing something dangerous, call the Police. Many of those other drivers out there are not friendly and some are under tremendous stress and tired. Best not to talk on the dam radio unless you are in a yard. Hate those speed limited trucks that attempt to pass and the road skinny's up to one lane. They will just run you into the ditch if they can't get by. Even though illegally armed I had gangsters try and take me down in E. LA., one gun against many. Like Dave said don't go after dark. Make sure you watch no one slips under your trailer and robs you as you climb down. Cab over the worst. Don't walk on the traffic side of your trailer, common sense but see it all the time. Too many distracted drivers. Thanks for your contributions Dave.

[@SmartTrucking]

Thank YOU Ron!!

[@cubanito48]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge sir, i am a young owner operator and appreciate it

[@SmartTrucking]

Thanks for following! Dave

[@k.zekeswaringen2122]

Great points...Trucks / trailers are big & can injure or kill a person very easily. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@joshkrause2977]

Considering most semi truck tires are only rated for 75 miles per hour lots of drivers are going too fast.

[@brycenew]

Man I love your channel Dave. Thanks for all you do for truckers!

[@leonardomarquez2125]

God bless you and thanks for all the advices! From a Venezuelan driver in this beautiful country.

[@polarbear1205]

Thank you for this info! It was especially nice to get the info on what to watch out for when flat-bedding. I am extremely green. I just got my class A, and haven't been out yet, and I have flatbed company that is putting a motor in the truck for me to go out with my trainer. Thanks again!

[@SmartTrucking]

Take your time, don't rush, think everything through and you'll be fine! Good luck! Dave

[@archerc4828]

I dig Canadian truck driving advise. It's sound.

[@cassiuspuckett8789]

excellent video Dave. lot of good advice, Thanks. It's amazing how easy it is to get hurt just by not paying attention to what your doing. Like you said " Keep your head about you all the time!!!!"

[@SmartTrucking]

There are plenty of ways to get hurt around trucks or any heavy equipment. Never stop paying attention to your surroundings and the potential for danger. It's amazing how quickly something can go wrong. Dave

[@lmklogistics9717]

Also flat bed, step deck trailers while tarping too, me, Car hauler, when you are walking on the top deck edge while strapping the cars, is a long way down to a concrete floor or hit the trailer first then hit the floor

[@SmartTrucking]

I hauled cars briefly, but in an enclosed trailer. I bet that's a long way down. I had a friend who came off the top of a load of lumber stacked to 13 feet. He'll never walk right again. Dave

[@randyrudder2451]

Dave keep up the good work know your videos have got to be helpful to new drivers. It is good refresher for us old hands. Catch you on the flip side brother of the road.

[@SmartTrucking]

Hey, thanks Randy! Dave

[@randyrudder2451]

Welcome Dave call me cowboy on the two way.

[@kennethbell7318]

"Thank You"! Very interesting. I hope and pray all drivers take your adise. I know I always will. God Bless

[@slowednreverbplug]

Thankyou,especially the bit about trailer legs collapsing.

[@ronaldkirk9685]

Good information Dave you pointed out some really important stuff the do's and the don'ts.👍👍

[@zakinaqvi4193]

Thank you for sharing words of wisdom.

[@u812chevy]

What's deadly is having a low power truck with no speed &low rpm. Give me a high power rig its fun to drive you will get over the mountain & back home & get your rest. Do you notice most big truck wrecks are gover down tractors 62mph units they will put you too sleep or have you out there way to long .

[@paulbickley658]

Very good video, I can't count how many times I have put a pin lock on without truck support...

[@Runndeep]

Very informative video, old school trucking survival skills. Live long and always be safe

[@SmartTrucking]

You too David, thanks! Dave

[@Falcon-jv4he]

Absolutely something that every new driver should watch more than once. And anybody in the experience range that I am in which is 13 years which is considered the most dangerous drivers on the road because we tend to get cocky & overconfident in our abilities which by the way might be something for you to talk about as well. What this is for every driver as a reminder of the safety of trucking. Thank you very much for sharing brilliant tips

[@SmartTrucking]

Thank you James! Dave

[@AyrBear1988]

thanks for doing a basic safety video, hoping to get training on the way this fall at tri county training

[@ronnieterry4916]

Think about flatbed freight before accepting the load. Make sure that you can safely secure the load. If it is a tarp load again make sure that you can safely unroll the tarp again before accepting the responsibility. Always think about parking at the end of the shift late at night many areas won't have available parking think about this in advance. Have a plan where are you going to park? Think about this when accepting the load and before accepting the delivery time.

[@twinstickwizard3941]

One piece of advise for owner/operators. Pay your self a high enough wage to qualify for maximum workers comp. Too many guys pay themselves minimum wage and take a large dividend out of the company. In Canada dividends are taxed lower that wages. Then if you do get hurt you got nothing coming in. Workers comp ain't much but it keeps food on the table. I know guys who got caught in this trap on their accountants advice. All you have to do is slip on the step and you could be out for a month. Or like the guy who broke the pry bar. You ain't bullet proof!!

[@bigchills7194]

Also flatbeds, keep your hands away from the winches! i got a finger caught in the gear and it aint no fun! Yeah it was a stupid rookie thing! :)

[@alvincolbert889]

Thanks old G professional advice...Good looking out

[@marktheshark-mw8kq]

The "shake hands with danger" series shows a good demonstration of the hazards of brake chambers.

[@waynesworld2086]

u reflect great leadership,I can tell at different times u experience some wild times on rd lol,its how we live n learn building experience

[@SmartTrucking]

I always did learn better from doing. Those lessons you never forget. Dave

[@mgp1987]

I still have some jackets from Rip Griffens, out of Big Spring Texas (mid 80's).

[@SmartTrucking]

I've got an old one from Rip's in Rawlins Wyoming. Dave

[@garyhaber333]

You mean "Rip-off Griffins?" Right?

[@fooman2108]

Watching flat bed drivers standing on top of a load tarping up, high winds, wet/icy are all bad mojo being up there. Finding a little gap between stacks of things (especially when you are walking backwards dragging a tarp aboard.

[@SmartTrucking]

Yeah, that can be dangerous stuff up there! Dave

[@mrj-charles6383]

The old cabover is used to be pretty dangerous and getting in and out of those. Slipped a couple times. Also up on the back catwalk. The thing I notice a lot going into these big distribution centers Is people driving way too fast. Lack of patience waiting and not paying attention. Trucks going all different directions no need to be speeding.

[@victoriapeterson9551]

Thanks for the advice!!!

[@ox1216]

GREAT INFORMATION!! THANK YOU

[@brianroberts6605]

lost good friend a number of years back. He was loading a gravel truck onto a flat deck. Not sure why he was using his flat deck as he had a double drop trailer also. He had the gravel truck on the trailer facing backwards. He was standing at his headache rack pulling his chains off when that gravel truck rolled off the front of the flat deck, crushing him. The gravel truck had those shitty juice brakes, mechanical parking leaver and none of it worked properly. fellas, make sure that load is not going anywhere before you turn your back on it.

[@Mark-ce3gp]

Thanks for the common sense tips..Sir.

[@xozeluiz6301]

Let me tell yall something about driving tired, been driving all my life, you also get experience with any type of vehicle or in life in general. Experiences that help save lives cuz too many truck drivers falling asleep on straight roads is hard to swollow. My experience to those driving tired is that the worst time to fall asleep is at night with a long straight road ahead of you and nothing to munch on or music to keep you awake, This will hypnotize you to the point where your mind starts to dream without your permission and you end up in a ditch thinking you are awake but in fact you was asleep with your eyes open even worst when your dreaming that you was still driving is suicidal.

[@tonyandreoli8180]

Well, pretty much don't never get ahead of yourself. Think it through

[@Ray-se1km]

Great advice and as always a great video. Thank you

[@SmartTrucking]

Thank you! Dave

[@camae62]

All good advice. Thanks.

[@GrandstrandmenEVP]

Alot of drivers still do drive sleepy which is sad

[@SmartTrucking]

Maybe the ELD's will end that, that's their purpose anyway. Dave

[@harold562]

electronic logs will still make you tired, just sleeping irregularly, even if 10 hrs, will make you too tired to drive. first day you wont feel it, neither second or third, could be a week before you start feeling it.

[@GrandstrandmenEVP]

Smart-Trucking.com i hope so...tired of seeing people drive sleepy and kill someone

[@donquixote...]

harold562 Elogs still make one tired because people are still not logging all their ON DUTY time at shippers/receivers... Working 80-90 hrs a week makes one tired, don't you know...? Drivers need to stop subsidizing the trucking industry... It's unsafe..

[@arad4912]

+Smart-Trucking.com I don't believe electronic logs will help much. I used to run with Qualcomm already 6 years ago and it was not a good expirience. Here is how it went for me: Arrived at receiver, went off duty on Qualcomm, even though was still working, went inside, waited in long line to check in. Then waited in truck for my turn to get unloaded. Trucks moving slowly one after another in long line to get unloaded, 4 hours without sleep passed by before got to the unloading dock, then had to wait over 2 hours inside, then pull out of the door and park off the road by the customer, clean up the trailer and accept next load, didnt get much sleep as you can imagine and was EXHAUSTED but had no choice but to drive. These electronic devices are not imposed on us because of safety concern but profit and control, and........eliminating or crippling competition of biggest companies who already operate with Qualcomms, you could read about it even in the Land Line ,the trucker magazine about biggest corporations lobbying for these laws to become reality. These huge multi billion companies like Swift and the like........I hope no one was that naive to believe that this electronic trojan horse was ever about someone's safety.

[@beerrunner8153]

I've been driving forever so it seems. The most dangerous part is being in a bad city in the bad part of town. Always park outside the city. The Petro in Gary is fine now. It's new and has security driving around all night. Years ago this was not safe at all. The Loves across the street is fine also. Both are clean places to park.

[@samuel2006ok]

Thanks Dave great vid safety always first.

[@SmartTrucking]

Always! Dave

[@mattsivert2594]

And as hard is it is to do have a exercise program or you probably won't see retirement !!

[@SmartTrucking]

Yup! Dave

[@CatLady999]

This is great. I start school for my CDL in about a month. Here in Canada, Ontario, Sudbury. Am looking at short hauls, company driver to start, possibly owner/operator later on.

[@Gorbi1985]

As i watched some of your videos, I am glad I am a driver in Europe.

[@eddgong]

Just wanted to add a couple of long shots to what you put down already .Back in the 80's even into the 90's before I started pulling end dumps and doubles here locally , I signed on for a few months with U S A Trucks out of Memphis and they were doing a lot of government for the FAA and and military .Hauling small arms , ordnance ,grenades and shoulder fired rocket tubes (never haul that stuff and the parts that make that stuff dangerous on the same load ).stuff that can turn a quick profit on the streets or in Mexico and latin America , revolution and arm smuggling was the big thing in them days .Not much in that respect has changed in fact things have gotten worse ,but when hiring on at USA Truck I was given the company pep talk I was instructed If I were to see something strange like a trailer door not secure or it swing open in the draft behind the trailer ,to never pull over ,stop and close it or inspect it until I reached a safe area with people around . It sems they had on a couple of occasions where the truck was followed by a pickup with 3-4 guys in it and the truck would pull in tight behind your trailer and one or two would crawl out onto the hood ,cut your seals and start unloading you while you doing 65 down the freeway . Far fetched ideas but it happened and probably still does . To pull over you risk not only probably lose the entire load ,truck and trailer and possibly your life too. One more and Ill STFU Be observant of cars and pickups that always seem to be somewhere behind you ,maybe way back but always there ,passes you up only to slow down and let you pass them .....you never know .maybe they are just going your way or maybe casing you ....... And if hauling along the border USA /Mexican border areas of south Texas , NM, Az and Calif. Its a given we try and keep an eye on the truck but its not always possible when going inside to pay for fuel or get a weekly shower and food that ain't micro waved . I used to do a good circle of my truck then crawl under the trailer and look it over from tandems to king pin for anything that 's not supposed to be there .It has happened to others ,never me but I didnt want to take the chance only takes a minute anyway .The dope smugglers would plant their dope on a frame rail or under the trailer and let you haul it for them taking all the risk while they just follow you until you get it close enough and grab it at your next fuel /pi** stop .But one time across the scales and get called in and it's all over ......you get the charges . That was in the 80's though , not much has changed in the dope business .

[@SmartTrucking]

Scary stuff , but a reality in our business. Dave

[@chevyon37s]

I watched a guy when I was around 10 years old fall asleep at the wheel... first he was in the median then he went down in a ravine between two bridges.

[@BernardFitzgerald-f8b]

hi dave i remember my dad telling me in the 70s and 80s truck drivers used to drive with out a break

[@jimmymakmta]

That's some very good advice

[@SmartTrucking]

Glad you think so! Thanks!

[@jimmymakmta]

@@SmartTrucking so welcome love your chanel

[@ericbrule4465]

And one last thing, as Dave said, proper pretrip, but also a proper post trip.

[@jamesdoyle9220]

There was an accident at a FedEx terminal in CT a couple of years ago. A driver was between two trailers working the landing gear. There were doubles lined up perpendicular to that row of trailers. Another driver was hooking his dolly up to one of the doubles and hit the kingpin hard enough to push the double into the side of the row of regular trailers. It pushed two of them together and crushed the driver working the landing gear. He didn’t survive. Those terminal yards are very dangerous places just to walk through.

[@blthetube1]

Don't drive angry.... Almost every incident I've had was while I got pissed off or frustrated at something or someone.

[@danielneuenschwander7381]

Great video Dave, and BTW, the Blue Beacon Truck Wash pretty well has taken the place of the Magic Wand in North Las Vegas, according to Google Maps.

[@SmartTrucking]

Yeah, Blue Beacon seems to be taking a chunk of business out of Little Sisters in Barstow too. I tried the Beacon once in Barstow one night when I was in a hurry. Never made that mistake again. Some Blue Beacons are really good but I'll never go back to that one in Barstow. Especially with Little Sisters right down the street. No comparison. Dave

[@danielneuenschwander7381]

Dave, there still is a Little Sisters wash in Hesperia right off of 395 & the 15. They still seem to be doing a relatively thriving business.

[@diebsaigh2124]

Best Saftey Educational video, Good job boss👏👏👏😀😀Thank you!

[@JOSH-bx5wp]

Dave just wondering if you could do a vedio on bad neighbourhood. it may help new drivers to be safe from not going into such. especially in US & canada thanks Josh

[@chesterdavidson7224]

Im a dump truck driver here in St Louis, Mo, I enjoy your video's.

[@SmartTrucking]

Thanks Chester!

[@donclark1442]

Reminds me of hauling into Hunts Point, after which we would go to the infamous Jersey Truck Terminal to start calling (remember pay Phones?) for a back haul. JTT Was like Ft .Apache then (68-73), I can only imagine what it would later become, but by then I was running the 11 Western states, and while dealing with Donner, Cabbage Patch etc. If my life was in danger it was my doing.

[@SmartTrucking]

Yeah, did a little of that eastern seaboard thing, not for me. Dave

[@deanpinnt3987]

Great video, thanks for the info!!

[@truckerdamnyankee]

Man, you would make the absolute best instructor at a cdl school..! Amazing videos..! I'm leaving for training and I can't enough of your videos, I want to be as educated as I could be. Many thanks for sharing, your making rookies more knowledgeable, well, the ones that CHOOSE to educate themselves, rather than hanging out, playing video games..!

[@SmartTrucking]

Thank you sir! Dave

[@rcrobertson9563]

Great video as usual!!!

[@SmartTrucking]

Thank you! dave

[@CanuckTruckCB]

great video dave! missed ya

[@SmartTrucking]

Thank you! Dave

[@sunray8136]

I was driving on interstate 94 at 2 am for 10 min between 2 towns and I counted 20 semi's just in that short time. I respect those truck drivers and their never ending routes. Was happy to see the ones going my direction were keeping speed limit more or less and I slowed down a bit while one passed me because I just been realizing what a heck of a load they are hauling at all hours of the night. I will never understand idiot cars that constantly zip around these big rigs always trying to get 1 vehicle ahead and squeezing into the semi's front 'safe space' 😑

[@SmartTrucking]

I don't credit those idiots with having too many brain cells! Thanks for watching!

[@jamessalazar8755]

Thank you .

[@trucks8137]

Iv'e got a story about reversing onto a dock, when I was driving a rigid truck in the city I had a rear fold down that covered the back of the truck and folded out onto the dock at dock height I just got a new truck with a reverse camera it was in the middle of the city in an underground dock and this day a guy whipped around behind the truck as the edge of the lifting platform was close to the dock ( in between the platform and the dock ) I had two spotters ( the security guard and the guy looking after the work in that building ) it happened so fast they didn't have time to react and I just happened to check the camera an see him in time

[@footalee2]

Always love your videos and the messages 🇯🇲

[@SmartTrucking]

Thank you! Dave

[@kellymack2995]

Smart advice

[@Josh-of-all-Trades]

Thanks for the tips!

[@thesouthsidetrucker7218]

Firearms should accepted in trucks for safety...some areas are bad and with a weapon on board you can sleep better

[@gailmorra]

Stay in your damn Lane.

[@pheleant]

Iffin yer new to driving a commercial vehicle of ANY kind, listen to the veteran drivers, the old timers, even the guys that look like the old guy from Convoy. Sure, you'll get hazed some, but LISTEN!! They'll give you pointers and tips that you can't learn in a class and that you'll never hear from your company. I have met very few old guys that wouldn't help out a Brother in need, but if you start to act like an ass. . They'll leave you stranded. But if you can show that you will be the smallest amount grateful, they'll probably give you a moment of their time. Whatever you do, don't spout off with "I know, I know, I just got done at a drivers school." When I was driving a Class B flatbed in Western Colorado years ago, I had some young punk look at me at pop off about getting diesel fuel. Mouthed off about just getting done with driving school, and that he was "a REAL truck driver" since he had a class A. Never mind the fact the belligerent kid didn't know what kind of license I had. I turned, looked at him, and said "Okay junior. See that mountain over there? It's 10,500 in elevation, and because of the way that the road was cut, I'm going to have to chain up at the bottom, and back up to that job site that the sun's glistening off of toward the top. If you'd like to go along for the ride, and promise to not piss, pee, or puke the first time we slip, I'll show you how to drive backwards up snow covered, and often icy dirt roads that are barely wide enough for the truck. Want to hop in?!?!?! " At which point he hurried for his truck (want to guess the company?!?!?? ROFLOL) and mumbled something about having to be somewhere in Denver the next day. Felt sorry for those around him, and worried for them, because no one taught him how to put on chains. And I know that Vail and Eisenhower were both snowpacked and slick. Wonder if he made it?

[@Camman010]

I had a friend killed while strapping down a load of fence posts and watched a guy lose his head using a tire iron the beet the caked on snow off the brake pods at the scales.

[@Hassan-df5ip]

Ty 4 Knowledge

[@themarine7735]

Very good sound advice sir, thank you !

[@SmartTrucking]

Thanks! Dave

[@thomaskirkpatrick4031]

If I never drove tired, I would never drive.

[@SmartTrucking]

Then you should never drive. It's not just your life you're risking, it's everyone around your truck as well. You need to switch carriers. Dave

[@rosen9425]

You are battling time and the deck is heavily stacked against you on this! I've ran off the road due to fatigue when starting out in the business. Just a faulty turbo in the middle of summer, no a/c, chugging along. I dozed off into the ditch instead of head on crashing the old couple who stopped and helped me. Everyone was lucky that day. Another 300 yards and I'd be bulldozing the barrier of a small overpass. It would've been major injury doing that, most likely sustaining something chronic and career ending before it even started.

[@eddgong]

The Magic Wand , I havent thought about that wash since 2008 when medical reasons forced me to quit (seizures )alway had my truck washed there every week and them boys did do a good job . I live 10 min from there gonna have drop in and see if it's still going .

[@SmartTrucking]

Let me know if it is! Dave

[@brandonjones152]

Great t shirt tour also love your videos and experience. Really inspiring to be Frank

[@pheleant]

Yikes I hope none of us are ever around the 7 that gave this a thumbs down! The biggest thing I was taught years ago is that there would NEVER be a load to anywhere, at anytime, that was worth my life, or someone else's. I almost lost my life at I-76 east & US 85 North in 1993. Four old people in a car swerved in front of me at the last minute to go to Greeley. I hit the exit sign that used to be in the median with the drivers side door at 65 mph.

[@SmartTrucking]

I bet that was no fun! Dave

[@trucker4trumpamerica172]

ALWAYS Safety #1..

[@JasonM35]

Been thinking of getting into the trucking business. Could use the advice of an old pro like you.