Too the company's drivers
Posted by Aggravating-Meal4984@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 104 comments
Company drivers
, Have you ever done mechanical work to your truck to get you down the road?
Posted by Aggravating-Meal4984@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 104 comments
Company drivers
, Have you ever done mechanical work to your truck to get you down the road?
Cfwydirk@reddit
Teamster driver. Nothing where parts need to be replaced other than lights, glad hand seals, hose springs, and clamps. I also carry zip ties
I also do pre-trips and refuse out of service equipment including everything. Tires and brakes are biggest problem as my co workers and management don’t give a damn.
WontSwerve@reddit
I worked for a place where if I found an OOS trailer that should have been noticed on a post trip, the driver who dropped it would get written up.
We also had a rule that every trailer required 4 straps, 4 load bars, and straps had to either be clipped on the wall rolled up neatly at the end of the trailer.
Empty trailer we expected to be swept by whoever emptied it or if it was dropped empty, swept by the driver.
If the driver could inspect the loaad before he left and it shifted or fell, that would be a write-up.
Standards were high, but things moved smoothly that way.
tonythebutcher13@reddit
I don't necessarily agree with the load shift thing, most of the time all I can see is a wall up to the ceiling 2 inches in front of the doors, not alot you can do unless your gonna climb up and crawl over the top of shit.
WontSwerve@reddit
If you can inspect it, you can secure it.
Otherwise, that's on the loader.
In your situation you would not be held responsible because you couldn't inspect it.
tonythebutcher13@reddit
Not held accountable by who? DOT or the loader because I'm pretty sure DOT would still blame me.
I'm pretty sure my company would blame me anyway also, they got pissed at an aquientance of mine because he picked up a sealed trailer and the haz wasn't secured and got a violation.
I don't know where the hell it was in the trailer but they got pissy and told him he should have broken the seal to climb in and check.
Obviously complete bullshit but that's what we have to deal with I guess.
Waisted-Desert@reddit
49 CFR 392.9(b)(4)
Inspection of cargo, cargo securement devices and systems.
(4) The rules in this paragraph (b) do not apply to the driver of a sealed commercial motor vehicle who has been ordered not to open it to inspect its cargo or to the driver of a commercial motor vehicle that has been loaded in a manner that makes inspection of its cargo impracticable.
Cool_Algae4265@reddit
As someone who read those regs front to back over a few weeks, I swore there was something in there stipulating that the driver wasn’t responsible for pre-sealed trailer being loaded correctly. Thanks for saving me having to look lol
Waisted-Desert@reddit
Of course it's not as cut and dry as that.
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/question-3-how-may-motor-carrier-determine-safe-loading-when-shipper-has-loaded-and
Under these circumstances, a motor carrier may fulfill its responsibilities for proper loading a number of ways. Examples are:
a. Arrange for supervision of loading to determine compliance; or
b. Obtain notation on the connecting line freight bill that the lading was properly loaded; or
c. Obtain approval to break the seal to permit inspection.
WontSwerve@reddit
Well companies were the subject of this conversation here, so them.
DOT will rarely check inside a trailer so they aren't a big concern.
It also sounds like your buddies company fucking sucks, or it's another $10/hr dispatcher tripping and over stepping.
CoupeZsixhundred@reddit
I was always told if I was in the driver’s seat any problem with the load or the truck was on me the minute I let out the clutch.
Justaguy222444888@reddit
Depends on the load, some of my reefer loads they open and close/seal the doors from inside at both shipper and receiver. Not allowed inside dock and not allowed inside to secure the load. Those ones I have written proof on the BOL that I’m not responsible for anything besides getting the load from point A to B.
Justaguy222444888@reddit
Depends on the load, some of my reefer loads they open and close/seal the doors from inside at both shipper and receiver. Not allowed inside dock and not allowed inside to secure the load. Those ones I have written proof on the BOL that I’m not responsible for anything besides getting the load from point A to B.
Would DOT still blame me for a load shift because I’m the driver? Probably but my company would back me up since they know the policy at these places.
UhOhAllWillyNilly@reddit
Before Covid you were supposed to stand on the dock and observe the proper loading of your trailer. I’m not kidding. Of course once Covid came along none us of us were even allowed on the frickin’ dock.
tonythebutcher13@reddit
Ya know even if if there is a problem and you try to say shit dock dudes just try and pretend they don't understand English anyway, then you gotta hunt down someone else, and etc.
My main concern is I haul Hazmat and most of the time I have no clue where the hell it is, luckily last couple inspections dot made me open the doors looked in and just said "oh shit I guess it's in there somewhere, that's okay you can close it up".
Aggressive-Oil173@reddit
Whats the fastest way to clean out a reefer. I feel like my arms are going to fall off after sweeping wood from those floor grooves
WontSwerve@reddit
Leaf blower.
Broomstick handle for the grooved floors.
Waisted-Desert@reddit
We just fired a guy a few weeks ago. He got 150 miles from the terminal and the trailer tandems went flying off. He blamed the previous driver for not doing a proper post trip.
...
...
He was the previous driver.
ZePanther@reddit
I feel like writing drivers up for a load falling over is crazy lol I guess it depends how bad.. I've deliver to Walmart stores before and I tell you what the DC does NOT secure those pallets properly
WontSwerve@reddit
If you can inspect it, you can secure it.
Otherwise, that's on the loader.
Cfwydirk@reddit
Good to work for an outfit with high standards.
As a Teamsters union member, I am appalled my co workers are lax and the company doesn’t care to enforce pre-trip, post-trip inspections. The shop can’t fix it if it’s not written up.
Beekatiebee@reddit
Another Teamster here, same.
It’s earned me a bit of a reputation on our yard but it is what it is.
lawlet91@reddit
I’ve written up so many myself that I also earned a reputation as the only one as in depth other than out #1 at the time as he would refuse literally any and all trailers if they so much as had a damn scuff mark.
In fairness my in depth checks kept me from taking 2 converter gears out with bad air/electrical connections. And found a few while in route back too!
Ok_Bug_6470@reddit
No, just used the improper word to ask people
Aggressive-Oil173@reddit
No. Wasn't trained to do it. Don't get paid to do it. Don't love my job enough to spend my own cash on any repairs
Ich_mag_Kartoffeln@reddit
Depends on the policies at the company. I've worked for a company that didn't allow you to add air to the tyres, or even change a globe. Just phone it in as soon as you notice a problem, and we'll send someone out to fix it.
OTOH I've had jobs where changing tyres, hoses (any hoses), belts, etc. was expected.
Cool_Algae4265@reddit
We do smaller stuff but I refuse to do anything suspension or tire related. I’m not confident enough in my abilities to trust my work there lol
Ich_mag_Kartoffeln@reddit
These were more isolated and remote area type jobs. If you couldn't fix stuff, you would be waiting a LONG time for a mechanic. The companies in question made sure you were capable before they turned you loose out there.
RipIt1021@reddit
I'll replace a mudflap if I rip one off, might zip-tie some shit to keep things from falling off if need be, but that's it.
I trust myself enough to engine swap my own cars, but I'm not messing with a company truck.
Cool_Algae4265@reddit
I’m pretty mechanically inclined, I’ve replaced entire drive trains before, replaced engines, tore them apart and put them back together etc, grew up working on tractors… but when it comes to trucks, even though it’s generally the same thing, I don’t feel comfortable doing anything major to them.
If I fuck up something on my Subaru I’m out a Subaru, if I fuck something up on a truck I’m potentially losing my life, or worse, someone else’s… best case someone’s losing tens of thousands of dollars and I try my best to make sure that doesn’t happen, and that means I’m taking a step back and letting someone else do it.
spyder7723@reddit
I eject my drivers to do basic stuff like change an airline, and expect them to do thorough pre and post trips daily and report all defects so I can get it in the shop to fix.
I'm not expecting a guy to change brakes or tires (tho some of my drivers will pull into the shop and do that) but if you are calling me to get a mechanic to change your wiper blades you will be invited to seek employment elsewhere.
Financial-Prize9691@reddit
I do my own light mechanical on my own trucks and have done so for over 5 years.
I slipped and fell off my truck while changing my windshield wipers hitting my sternum on a bolt, spraining my wrist, and gashing my leg as I went down. I can still feel the dent in my sternum over a year later and my sprained wrist took 4 months to heal.
If I was a company driver I would have been out on workman's comp. As the owner I just wrap that s**t up and keep rolling.
I don't let my drivers touch anything, I can afford a truck to lose a couple of hours, I can't afford to have an injured driver
spyder7723@reddit
How in the fuck did you manage that?
Financial-Prize9691@reddit
Had a small slug of grease I didn't see on the frame and slipped enough to lose my balance.
Cool_Algae4265@reddit
I’ve almost slipped while standing on the tire a few times, now I’ve got a little 4ft ladder I keep behind my cab… helps cleaning the windshield too
MostlyUseful@reddit
Yes. When I first started, it was basically expected that a driver would do minor things when needed. Serpentine belt broke and had to put on a new one (which was in the box of supplies they supplied me with when I started). Little things like lights (before they were riveted in) mudflaps, caged brake chambers…basic stuff.
Cool_Algae4265@reddit
Riveted lights are the dumbest thing ever created. I worked out of a shop; I leave and I’m back there daily but even with access to a drill and hand riveter it’s just stupid
Aggravating-Meal4984@reddit (OP)
Same with my company. Many of our drivers work on their trucks. For small stuff and its recommended
MajorHymen@reddit
Light work yeah, such as fixing lights/electrical or striping and reworking wires and cables. I’ve also done minor engine work replacing parts that don’t require anything more than a wrench and a part easily acquired at any truck stop. Such as the coolant sensor, I’ve replaced at least 5 of those as it takes me 20 minutes versus waiting several hours for some mechanic to do it.
DrSideShowbob@reddit
I have had that stupid coolant sensor replaced soooo many times, and tank. Its a defective component new i swear. I now just leave it unplugged. My check engine light on but no more bright red stop engine to prevent damage pop up with emergency dinger beeping.
MajorHymen@reddit
I just go the paperclip route once it goes bad and throws red engine light. Pull over remove the sensor take a paper clip and place both ends into the connection to complete the circuit and tape it on and then your good to drive for however long it takes to buy a new part. Just make sure you’re aware what you coolant level is and isn’t leaking.
DrSideShowbob@reddit
I have some wire, and I might make a little jumper. That's a good idea. Yeah, i check coolant and oil every time i fuel, and at the end of my journey
AdExpress6291@reddit
paid per mile? heck yes.
paid hourly? still haven't called it in yet $$$
Justaguy222444888@reddit
This sounds backwards. If you’re paid by the mile wouldn’t you not want to fix it or call it in? If you’re hourly wouldn’t you not care less if you have to fix something’s since you’re still getting paid for the time?
AdExpress6291@reddit
depends on perspective. from mine, i'd rather fix a problem quickly to get back to making miles asap.
if im hourly, ill wait as long as they want to send a technician to fix the problem bc im paid regardless.
yet again, i am talking in regards to small problems like faulty lights/wires, filters, fuses, air line patches. if its a big problem, im stuck waiting regardless of my pay
RebelTvshka@reddit
Because it would take longer to fix it you put it off.
ImissURmomma@reddit
Yup!
DrSideShowbob@reddit
Yeah i do not want to be in a shop. If i have the tools to fix i will have them ship a part ahead of me to a family or friends house. We only have one yard and sometimes i am many days away from it. I have family all over the US so i can usually take care of it.
Air dryer, hoses, u-joint, hub seal-outer, i will also call and get tires fixed on my own. They will reimburse me. I dont like calling them to fix it because they will call around to save 20 bucks on a tire but it takes guy 4hrs to get to me. No im not doing that. I will call a mom and pop shop and limp on in and be back on the road in 40mins. It is not worth the wait to save $20.
I like they give me the freedom to do what i can and make some money. Most our drivers have a hard time changing lights. They either cant or say its not their job.
The fact i try to save them time and money doing small repairs goes a long way. Im one of the few drivers that they govern to 75. Its like you scratch my back i scratch your back.
Wide-Engineering-396@reddit
Lol back in the day we changed clutches/Rebuilt engines, transmission,rear ends in parking lots, as a company driver
tvieno@reddit
My company doesn't want you doing anything. Back in the days when I was slipseating, my co-driver called me up and told me that they were going to late returning the truck. I asked, "what's going on?" Their reply was they had a brake light out on a trailer and they called road service.
MastrChang@reddit
Yes
MiguelSTG@reddit
Glad hand seals, pinhole air leaks, fuses, and lights.
Snappingslapping@reddit
Yeah my trucks front bumper was damaged during my weekend home time and ended up falling off at my first stop. Took a few bolts off and secured the separate pieces in the cab to make it legal to drive. Nothing big but our trucks are relatively newer and not too many issues pop up.
jrb031984@reddit
I get paid by the mile but if I break down I get paid my hourly rate to sit there and wait on a vendor. So unless it’s a glad hand seal I have no reason to try and play mechanic on the side of the road.
Rag3QuitnRob3rtGame@reddit
Done a couple mudflaps and some ground level lights
Tat2dtrukr@reddit
i swapped out a transmission in a TA parking lot one time
chrisjayyyy@reddit
Years ago there was a guy on here who rebuilt his engine in a Sapp Bros parking lot if I remember correctly
WontSwerve@reddit
Damn, our mechanics cant even do that in their own shop in under 3 weeks!
Justaguy222444888@reddit
To be fair he didn’t say how long was in the TA parking lot…
Kkalemauser@reddit
Yes. Fixed airlines, patched air bags,
spyder7723@reddit
Patched an air bag? Gonna need to explain that one.
Justaguy222444888@reddit
Yes but only minor stuff, changed a bulb on trailer, changed an air line, filled a low tire, etc… anything beyond those simple things company has a policy to not touch it, let the mechanic deal with it.
mike-2129@reddit
Yes definitely. But I carry a ton of tools with me. I haven't done a tire yet. But maybe one day. Some may say it's dumb but idk about everyone else. But I make more running miles than waiting for road side or a truck stop shop.
Necessary-Plan-3042@reddit
Mostly just supercharged my AC to get it as cold as it’ll go without damaging it.
AugustusTheVictor@reddit
Replacing mudflaps, changing a fuse & unplugging my coolant sensor when it went bad is the most mechanic work I've done
wipedcamlob@reddit
Where i work drivers are responsible for airleaks lights and tires (we have a seacan full of tires on rims) we will help drivers if we have time and if you reallt want to wait we will get to it eventually
schwifty0529@reddit
Just glad hand seals and headlights.
ExpedientDemise@reddit
I've never done anything intense. I've caged brakes and repaired an air line.
steveteeg1@reddit
Yes
FileCareless@reddit
No I start getting breakdown pay as soon as I call it in.
HowlingWolven@reddit
Small fixes here and there (bulbs, gladhand seals, trailer lights, maybe I’ll ether a debead to get to a shop), but my job isn’t to fix the truck.
That said, as a driver it is our responsibility to accurately report issues with the truck in a way that aids diagnosis of faults. Describe symptoms, name codes, but don’t hypothesize what they could be. You could be sending a tech on a wild goose chase.
No_Teaching_8273@reddit
Most I've changed it a bulb , and wipers
One-War4920@reddit
Caged brakes, tied off airbags, patched coolant lines, changed fan belts, new air to air clamps or boots, removed 90 pound valves
The basics
UhOhAllWillyNilly@reddit
Trailer brakes adjustment too
tonythebutcher13@reddit
I replace glad hand seals all the time, ya know they're very sticky in this hot weather.
nastyzoot@reddit
If it can't be fixed with parts I can easily steal from the trailer next to mine, a bic pen and plumbers tape, or some butt connectors and random wires in my tool box I ain't fixing it. This in no way means I am not running it lol.
ScooperDupper81@reddit
Nope, not allowed to
Wasatchbl@reddit
Same here. Not even a bulb.
d1c2w3@reddit
I added water to the coolant reservoir to get me back 5 miles to the shop once, otherwise nope. Paid by the hour for breakdowns, so I'm on the clock as soon as I call the shop about an issue
Naborsx21@reddit
I know some people might fight me over this.
The idea you're gunna do anything mechanically besides fix an air line , is.... wishful at best.
the moment you get a truck and start seeing how if you don't have like some land and a shop that's dedicated to you it's kind of like lol idk, yeah maybe replace a fitting, everything else is impossible and 10x harder.
Princetrix@reddit
Yeah
Killexia82@reddit
I do basic stuff to keep me rolling and always be sure to do my pre and post trips to make sure I'm not sitting waiting on a mechanic (if I can help it).
humpthedog@reddit
Paid for breakdowns so fuck that
Sir_Uncle_Bill@reddit
Depends on what you consider mechanic work. I've added oil, changed wiper blades, primed a fuel system once or twice because said mechanics didn't, and probably a couple other odds and ends things I'm not thinking of. But I haven't done anything other than simple stuff because I don't get paid to and with all the bs on these trucks these days I don't care to learn how either. That's what the mechanics are paid to know and do.
ShermanPanzer2@reddit
Yup, I get paid per load and keep some tools with me. If it’s anything I can take care of myself I will
roger_ramjett@reddit
Friend hit an animal and it bent the bumper so it was rubbing on the front tire.
So, by the side of the road, he gets out a big crow bar and starts trying to bend the bumper back enough that it wouldn't rub on the tire.
He was using the tire to pry one. The bar slipped and hit him under the chin, knocking him out.
Lucky someone coming down the road saw what happened and pulled over. Ended up taking him to the hospital for concussion and lacerations to his neck.
Company put out warning that no one is to do road side repairs. If they are unable to drive, a service truck would be sent out. Driver would get hourly rate for any time they were unable to move due to damage.
RambleOnRoads@reddit
Not exactly mechanical work, but i used a paperclip to bypass a bad coolant sensor that kept shutting my truck down cuz i wasn't about to wait on the road for the part I needed.
Frenchie1001@reddit
Yup, fucking sitting there waiting
Successful-Spinach38@reddit
Paid hourly, not allowed to fix anything major
BaronVonAwesome007@reddit
We do first line maintenance, simple stuff that’s covered in the owners manual. Anything more complicated than that we leave to the professionals
WillBilly_Thehic@reddit
Not allowed to at my current company but that won't stop me, helped owner ops many times and at old jobs I was solely responsible to keep my truck moving
LPsandhills@reddit
Yes. But only because my trainer was old fashioned and believed you should know how to do literally everything. 2nd day in training I learned how to fix a front brake adjuster because it had too much slack. But mostly I use this knowledge as leverage. If I like the company and am not being overworked that week - I'll get out and fix it myself. If I felt like dispatch was being an ass all week, I tell them to call for roadside service and promptly kick on the next season of Desperate Housewives.
Hydra_Kitt@reddit
If it's something minor, yes.
Emergency_Ad1152@reddit
I just used my charging cable to tie down the leveling valve that popped out on me at 3 am.
It was either that or get towed back 1 hour to the shop, then wait 4 hours for them to open up. So I fixed it and kept rolling until a TA shop opened up that was able to fix it.
ApperentIntelligence@reddit
100%
Thats CPM though, you always want to try to keep a set of tools with you, if its something you can fix ya do it so you can keep moving.
DickWoodReddit@reddit
To*
Stansellboyz2@reddit
Lights, mud flaps, air lines, guy hit my mirror once broke the glass they bought the part I changed that, any small stuff that I can handle I will do just to stay rolling faster than going to a shop or calling someone out to fix.
JimGordonsKnife@reddit
Sure. But I get paid by the hour at a good rate.
I'll do a fucking in frame in a TA parking lot if they send me the parts.
Tank52086@reddit
If I’m not getting paid to do it, I’m not doing it
Final-Approach1@reddit
Farthest I’ll take it, is a fuse lol
CashWideCock@reddit
I do whatever I can to get back to the shop.
unftp-0@reddit
Yup I swapped the whole engine once unpaid! And bought new tires for them and changed them myself! Kidding never really done mechanical work, that’s the mechanics job! Unless it’s something I can do like replace something easy like a light or air tires lol that’s about it
Grumpy_Trucker_85@reddit
Entirely depends on the work. Air line, gladhand, mudflap or light? Sure. Anything else, nope not my job.
Grumpy_Trucker_85@reddit
Entirely depends on the work. Air line, gladhand, mudflap or light? Sure. Anything else, nope not my job.
lleu81@reddit
Most mechanical work we do is changing out an air line.