Another question for truckers
Posted by 4-shits-and-giggles@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 33 comments
Hi there! I invaded your guys space earlier this year with a question and you were all so helpful and kind I thought I’d try again with another question (sorry again!!).
While driving on the highway earlier today, I passed a semi with a trailer attached and one of the back tires on the trailer was balding, nearly completely gone and losing more quickly. I’d assume normally you guys share that info with each other but there were no other semis nearby to warn the guy!
Is there anything I can do to warn yall in this situation? Do you notice it or not so much when it’s just one tire? Do I call non-emergency line so they can warn you, the number on the back that says rate my driving, or leave it be? I tried motioning to the guy to pull over to warn him but he either couldn’t see me or didn’t/wasn’t able to (can’t say I blame him, I wouldn’t pull over just because a random weirdo motioned me to).
On that note, if there’s ever something dangling on the ground, trailer isn’t latched, things like that that’ll cause issues, anything I can do to help you guys when there’s no other semis around to warn you? Thank you in advance!!
ConstantAncient6212@reddit
Flash your lights a few times while behind him then wait 10 seconds and do it one more time. When someone does that behind my trailer it's usually a universal sign that something is wrong with your trailer. It's important to wait 10 to 15 seconds before doing it again because the first time someone flashes their lights at me. My immediate reaction is "look at this asshole flashing his lights" that second set of flashes usually gets my attention to try and figure out what you are trying to tell me.
4-shits-and-giggles@reddit (OP)
That gap of time makes sense, I wouldn’t have thought of that!
yamahamama61@reddit
C.B. Radios would have solved this problem.
SignificantSteve44@reddit
This^^
amazingmaple@reddit
Sadly most truckers don't even have a CB. They don't pay attention and just drive. A good driver would notice a tire gone because you can see it in the mirror. You did your best to get his attention. That's all you can do.
4-shits-and-giggles@reddit (OP)
Whaaat?? I always had this mental image going that you guys chatted to each other. That’s crazy! Too expensive or what?
Financial-Prize9691@reddit
You think internet trolls are bad. Think of a bored trucker, who bought a powerful, illegal radio trying to entertain himself. He can broadcast 50+ miles and his signal is so strong that no one else can transmit while he is talking. Trucks all go about the same speed so if you're heading in the same direction you're going to be listening to that guy for 8 or 9 hours.
After unlimited phone plans became normal, most drivers switched to the cell phone unless they have specific needs. My CB never goes on unless it's bad weather, or I'm driving in the mountains.
Why deal with some jerk when I can listen to the radio or my audiobooks or chat with my family?
Another thing I was just thinking of is that CB radios heyday was before trucking was deregulated and drivers were more likely to be running the same routes so it would be kind of like the same group of buddies running into each other.
Trizmagestus@reddit
I should know what you mean by deregulated, but I don't. Would you explain?
(I'd rather talk to a group of friends I know, rather than years of randos.)
Financial-Prize9691@reddit
Well, we're still highly regulated but what is meant by the term deregulating trucking is that back in the day, I believe 1980, there was a lot of federal controls on who could be a carrier.
Prices were federally set and a trucking company authority only gave the carrier the right to move a certain type of freight along a certain route. It's kind of like a taxi medallion in New York City.
Now when the trucking company gets an authority they aren't limited on where they can drive or what they can haul and prices are negotiated between shipper and carrier. The only restrictions are if they need additional training, record keeping or insurance for specialty loads.
It's also why truck driver pay hasn't kept up. The average owner operator in 1979 would make about $157k today after adjusting for inflation and the average owner operator makes $90k today.
Trizmagestus@reddit
That's such an incredible tragedy. That's like destroying one of the great American dreams. Being a successful owner/op.
Thank you so much for explaining that. Stay safe.
InvestigatorBroad114@reddit
I had one that had a blown tire on one of his trailer tandems, flapping and everything like he just blew it before he passed me. No CB antennas so I speed up and tap the air horn to get his attention as he’s driving with headphones on lol. Dude has no idea wtf he’s doing and just continues down the road. Dude most likely didn’t even speak English as he fit the 1099 fly by night company stereotype.
Had another one pass me that was a flatbed and his load had shifted because it was strapped wrong, no CB either and dude was flying.
I personally think CB’s should be mandatory in trucks. It’s rare nowdays and only the real drivers have them unless you got companies that claim CB’s are distracted driving or they don’t want to pay to put one in. For under 3-400 bucks you can get a decent CB setup
amazingmaple@reddit
Nope. Most drivers think it's useless. I use my CB everyday I'm driving. I'm local and we all have CB's.
InvestigatorBroad114@reddit
Cb is on 19 all day everyday 👊
Beneficial_Cloud5481@reddit
Some companies consider CB use distracted driving!
Current_Put_2950@reddit
Don't care, to busy texting, on phone, or watching a movie. CB's have been pretty much gone since Sirius became popular and are rare these days. There's still a few niche places like the oilfields where they are common but that's about it
yamahamama61@reddit
What happened to C B. Radios
Ich_mag_Kartoffeln@reddit
The same thing that happened to the internet. Arseholes and idiots spoil things.
First-Olive-1181@reddit
Pre trip and cb radio
Waisted-Desert@reddit
You gotta kinda make wild hand gestures indicating a tire and point towards the shoulder. Once you know he's noticed your wild gesticulations, pull away ahead of him and go on your merry way.
Southern-Coffee3645@reddit
That’s what a pretrip inspection is for. Chances are they know about the defects and the company said roll with it.
I personally wouldn’t acknowledge if a car was trying to get my attention. Too many nut jobs cranking their hog in the car that get off when people watch.
greenchazm@reddit
I've been scarred by this too many times
4-shits-and-giggles@reddit (OP)
Those are both what I was worried about. That a company fucks them over and I look like a nut job 😂 Like I said, totally got why I would get ignored because I’d ignore someone too!!
Violet_Apathy@reddit
If you can get their truck and or trailer number, safely find an exit and call their safety department. Otherwise you can call highway patrol.
yamahamama61@reddit
If you guys would buy & use C.B. radios. This would have been solved.
itsaheem@reddit
i realise you have good intentions - but i prefer you worry about your vehicle, and I'll worry about mine thanks 👌
GnashinTires@reddit
Watched a guy bust a trailer tire yesterday, put on his hazards, and just keep driving.
I guess the point of that is to add that if you see that or something like you originally described—If they have their hazards on, they know.
drpuck2@reddit
MYOB.
SignificantSteve44@reddit
What a very helpful thing to comment on someone who's just trying to help...
4-shits-and-giggles@reddit (OP)
Thank you for the input, that’s ultimately what I did after failing the one time to get attention. I didn’t want to cause unnecessary issues for the driver, but wanted to make sure it was the right move since I don’t know what it’s like! So much appreciated
drpuck2@reddit
All I'm saying is that the driver most likely knows. I drove with a trailing mud flap (dragging and half off) today, but i knew it. Had to get to the righ
oldbattrucker@reddit
Unless it is an emergency i.e. brakes on fire, tandems locked up, trying to get a drivers attention is pretty futile. Most drivers don't pay attention to anything other than making sure they don't run over you. But if you do need to get their attention, try flashing your lights in the mirror. That makes them at least look in the mirror and hopefully see the problem.
Cfwydirk@reddit
We are required by law to do pre-trip, post-trip inspections of tires.
We are also supposed to inspect every 3 hours or 150 mikes.
The driver knows, and could get put out of service until the tire is replaced if caught. Along with a fine and CSA points.
FMCSA CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) points are assigned for violations during roadside inspections, with more severe infractions earning more points.
4-shits-and-giggles@reddit (OP)
Oh dang I didn’t fully understand how often you guys check your tires! That’s quite impressive, but I’m sure tedious after awhile. Definitely understand safety reasons on why you would but I also can’t imagine!