What are your trucking rules of thumb?

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I should for 1 hour early but some customers will take you 6+ hours early. Walmart says 1 hour early max if you go there but if lucky they’ll take you 2 hours early. There’s a place in Massachusetts if you’re an hour early they’ll tell you to leave the premises and come back 15 minutes early. Show up 20 minutes early they’ll tell let you stay, give you a door 30 minutes after your appointment, won’t let you stay on the property to document that you’re loaded.

Also, tangentially related, I’m going to a place I hat going to tomorrow. I’m in New Jersey just barely after the Delaware water gap. Best part of NJ. Going to Wayne for stop 1, going to Liberty Park Jersey City for final stop, picking up in Elizabeth. If you go to that egg place in Elizabeth they don’t tell you ahead of time but wash the trailer and drop the fully fueled trailer at their other location across town before you check in. Park bobtail on the side of the street before you check in - that’s why you need to get rid of the trailer. Unlike most drop/hook they might make you wait even if it is loaded to actually pick it up. Small ass parking lot, pull between the buildings, blindside to get pointed the right way, pull halfway across the road when close side clears out, finish your turn when the other side clears out, going to rural Minnesota. After leaving Elizabeth and the NYC bypass freeway it’s easy money all the way there. I-80 all the way across PA, Ohio, and Indiana, I-294,I-290-I-90 around Chicago and stay on I-90. I-94 joins up in Madison, I-39 splits off first, I-94 goes towards Minneapolis, going towards Rochester instead. Then US-14 over to MN-19 easy parking at the truck wash drop and hook, rural as fuck. Basically as shit as downtown NYC to start, middle of nowhere 1280 miles later.

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OneMulatto@reddit

I read this all. I hope I never have to go to that egg place.

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ashen_queen13@reddit

Personally i aim for 30 to an hour but ive got marching band standards drilled into me even 6 years later lol

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Beginning-World-1235@reddit

Flatbed? When in doubt throw 2 more straps.

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ursisterstoy@reddit

I don’t do flatbed but my step dad did and his idea was never go below the minimum requirement but you can go over it as much as you want. If the trailer flips over you want the load to stay put.

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United_News3779@reddit

I've been waved over by the DOT when going through the scale yard. Rolled over the scale, the bad sign didn't light up, just the guy outside doing inspections waved me over. He came and asked me what the hell I was hauling, as i had enough straps that the working load limit of what I had out was for double what I would be legal for lol. It was just a super shitty load to secure. Every strap ratchet on my super b plus 4 more 4" ratchet straps I'd stopped and bought lol

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ursisterstoy@reddit

Nice. It wasn’t falling off, and that’s what matters more than the legal minimum

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United_News3779@reddit

Yup. The adult version of the ol' Scouting saying: "If you can't tie knots, tie lots!"
Lol

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Unlucky_Register_654@reddit

This made me chuckle lmao

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Wilgrove@reddit

Never trust other drivers on the road, always drive like everyone else on the road have been lobotomized. Which plays nicely into my other rule of, "Sometimes you can be right, or dead." Sure you may have the right of way, but sometimes you have to yield to the soccer mom in her crossover because she's paying more attention to her phone than to the road.

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Desperate_Fee_808@reddit

No matter what the GPS says..dispatcher..CSR or another driver..if it doesn’t make sense to you..DON’T FUCKIN DO IT..my fleet manager told me that and it had stayed with me..I love her

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ursisterstoy@reddit

Seconded. Where I’m at they tell you to follow copilot as a guide but don’t let it make your decisions for you. If it tells you to take the freeway it’s probably fine, in town make sure you know where you’re going before just blindly doing what it says.

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fastnsx21@reddit

Don't take directions from someone who doesn't drive trucks

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ursisterstoy@reddit

Including the GPS if it tells you to do something stupid. Don’t drive through residential when going straight takes you to a main highway, don’t drive around for a half hour when you can see the destination doesn’t require it, don’t turn onto restricted roads even if the GPS tells you to unless there is literally no other option and if there’s no other option make sure you can get in and get out without getting stuck or causing damage. Way too many times listening to GPS will get you into trouble. Use it as a tool but don’t expect it to be smart.

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Beneficialsensai@reddit

Never pee in something you drank out of.use something else like a laundry detergent bottle.

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WHODUNNITT303@reddit

What?

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NarutoUchihaX14@reddit

Common courtesy. Let's say im getting on, and im governed at 65. If prime has to jump in the left lane, im not gonna go to 65 and keeo him stuck over there, especially if theres traffic.

Matter of fact, know your speed, and learn orhers. Dont be at 65 and then hop out trying to pass TMC or something unless they for sure aren't on it for example

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WHODUNNITT303@reddit

Is TMC governed?

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Virel_360@reddit

Never sleep in the driver seat, even if it’s only a 10min power nap. Never let your body build the “muscle memory” that sleeping in the driver seat is something that is acceptable or normal. It builds bad habits and can make it dangerous when you are driving and get tired.

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GroundbreakingSir386@reddit

Sleep in the passenger seat but 10-20 min power naps are life saver

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OneMulatto@reddit

I lay on the floor of my daycab with a pillow. Pretty comfy. 6ft 1 but slim and bendy enough that it works well for me on longer days I need to nap.

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Alive-Worldliness-27@reddit

Same I can sleep in the Cascadia but the Mack Pinnacle it’s not really great.

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OneMulatto@reddit

I drive 2023 Pete 579 day cab. I use one of my old couch pillows. I'm sure I look weird rising from the floor of my truck like The Undertaker. I'm glad I'm not the only weird one that does this.

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WHODUNNITT303@reddit

This made me actually lol

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Alive-Worldliness-27@reddit

Hahah I never thought about the look from the outside coming up from the floor but rest is rest! I really curious on seat pillows and whats worth it or not.

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Fasting_Monster@reddit

Ice chest and a pillow in my Freightliner day cab. Also great for holding extra paperwork.

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pixel_knightt@reddit

Uh... How? Not one truck I've been in has given me the space to do that (6'6") especially when the first extinguisher is mounted in a dumb spot.

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GroundbreakingSir386@reddit

Feel like if you’re doing a lot of highway miles and automation takes over with self driving trucks we should be able to drive more miles with more hours and drivers should still be required for safety reasons. Even having a low power nap is fine as long as the truck can drive itself. Every industry has an automated self driving feature but when landing in Aircraft, you still have to take control it’s going to be the same with trucking.

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Unfair_Analysis_3734@reddit

Actually airplanes can auto land and take off by themselves.

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Just313@reddit

Not sure why they cant just throw a little coffin sleeper in for day cabs

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OneMulatto@reddit

There's plenty of room to do that. I think that's popular overseas. Maybe most of our drivers in the US are too fat for it but I'd be happy with a little cut out back there. I don't need much to be happy if I'm exhausted anyways.

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Driving_Potato@reddit

I took a long flight after leaving my last driving job and couldn’t sleep all 13 hours because of this. Literally could not sleep because I was sitting up like I was in the truck

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SmartRemove@reddit (OP)

Fire

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TruckinUncleEdd@reddit

Check for toilet paper BEFORE you sit.

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username_fantasies@reddit

Pre-shit inspection is a must and is very underrated.

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WackoMcGoose@reddit

My pre-shit inspection involves wiping the seat down, so I can't even complete the inspection if there's no bog roll.

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NectarineAny4897@reddit

The pre trip is critical. We all learn this.

What does not get emphasized enough is the importance of the Post Trip.

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4t5Gunner@reddit

Absolutely this! Better to find something at the end if the day and come up with a plan to get it corrected than when your trying to start your day.

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WackoMcGoose@reddit

Not to mention, it's proof that if you find something on your next pre-trip that wasn't there on the prior post-trip, it means it happened when you weren't driving and you have documentation to prove it.

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Radiant_Swan187@reddit

Id say post trip more important.

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MysteryUser1@reddit

I do both really. The pre-trip is very thorough because I've had my eyes off it all night for example. Post-trips give you time to resolve minor issues before you need to drive again.

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Fli_fo@reddit

Do the right thing. Even when nobody is watching, even when nobody will ever know.

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CoyoteMuff69@reddit

In a previous career, I worked with a man that I'd known all my life, and he majorly shaped my understanding of integrity. He would say, "Do the right thing, even when it sucks. Do the right thing, especially when it sucks, because when it sucks, it's that much less likely that anyone else is gonna do it for you."

He would also say, "That's gonna hurt on your side", whenever we pulled out in traffic. Anyone on his side had, "a decision to make." That decision being whether they wanted to hit the brakes, or hit this ambulance.

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lahcim_@reddit

Carry Imodium with you. Trust me.

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Kkalemauser@reddit

You can go down a hill or round a curve slow as many times as you want, but only once too fast.

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ParisHL@reddit

I work for the railroad and have a similar phrase:

"Your small mistake today could be tomorrow's national headlines"

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WackoMcGoose@reddit

I aspire to have a life that never becomes even local-newsworthy, let alone national.

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TheSirWolffe@reddit

I drive a 15' box truck (basically a U-Haul) around a university campus all day (catering) and yet your advice is paramount. I rarely reach speeds over 40 kph (~25 mph) but being cautious is always the best approach. Even taking a turn too tight at 20 kph could flip my truck lol. Especially if I got a metric fuckton of hot food strapped up in the back.

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GroundbreakingSir386@reddit

Even the smallest curves I’ve seen trucks flip over just because they doing 55 in a 25 and the freight shifted to one side of the trailer.

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SmartRemove@reddit (OP)

I like this

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CoyoteMuff69@reddit

1) Never approach an object faster than you're willing to hit that object.

2) Never let nerves, spectators, or an impatient driver rush you into making a mistake. Backing in safely at half speed is faster than getting it wrong in a hurry.

3) If you think you might need to shit, it's best to go find out at the truck stop rather than at 5:30pm in the middle of Chicago.

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librarydirective@reddit

The amount of flat tires I’ve found simply by kicking them is quite astonishing. Even a basic pretrip will save you hours of time later. And maybe your life.

Always when disconnecting from a trailer pause for a second before moving the wheels and the frame out from under it. It’s rare but sometimes people forget to drop the landing gear. Or sometimes the gear will fail. And it’s a lot easier to crank that bitch up off the frame than the ground.

If you slip your kingpin lower your airbags to get an idea of how much trailer you’re gonna have to crank up. Youd be surprised how easily you can get yourself out of this situation with minimal effort.

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CashWideCock@reddit

Increase following distance.

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MacandMandy69@reddit

Safety is no accident.

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skeletons_asshole@reddit

My golden rule is “don’t rush”.
It’s better to be late than to be on CNN.

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Batman_From_Dions@reddit

Take the time each task deserves. Don't rush. Be patient.

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TruckerBiscuit@reddit

GOAL before you back in. GOAL while you're backing in. GOAL after you've backed in. You make sure you know what's behind your trailer, that you're correctly aligned/not at the point of hitting something, and that you're dead-center on your door this way.

Don't worry about other drivers. Drive your own truck. Make your maneuvers deliberate and careful and your record will stay clean. In this industry a clean record is a huge part of your upward mobility.

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West_Masterpiece9423@reddit

Also, if a non driver wants to guide you, let them guide and completely ignore them. They will get no blame if you hit something.

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Littlerone90@reddit

I came here to say this!!!

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TruckerBiscuit@reddit

Wise man!

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lildobe@reddit

CYA in everything. Get it in writing. Take pictures. Scan documents / BOLs and save them to Google Drive or Dropbox. Have your own dashcam and check the SD card regularly. Record phone calls if you can.

Don't let anyone get the better of you, or try to gaslight you. Your dispatchers, safety, fleet managers, etc will all throw you under the bus the moment you become an inconvenience.

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Kobeer01@reddit

If I yawn 3 times within 10 minutes, time to go to bed.

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Creepy-Height7635@reddit

This is a good one. Some people ignore what their body is desperately trying to tell them.

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Gr00veChild@reddit

Yes! I was here trying to think of some, but honestly one of the ones I try to be the most strict about is fatigue. I also encourage my friends/colleagues etc to do the same, it's such a dangerous thing that is overlooked.

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TruckinTuba@reddit

If you have to think if you can make it, you can't. Stop and wait, no one ever got into an incident by slowing down

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GumbysDonkey@reddit

Stay the fuck out of Ohio rest areas and truck stops(I"m ltl tho so easier for me to do this than others)

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Wide-Engineering-396@reddit

minimum rate is cpm X 2 + tolls, fsc, and detention,

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muck2profit@reddit

Check your trailer while you are swinging it.

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docweston@reddit

The only thing that happens fast in trucking is an accident!

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psclarke84@reddit

Turn signals and a tap of the brake light ALWAYS. Even in my pickup. Late one night on back roads my buddy laughed and said there's nobody around, why are you using your turn signal? I said I'm not worried about things I CAN see, it's what I don't see that could be a problem.

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Fasting_Monster@reddit

Always have duck tape and a small roll of bailing wire. Also a good multi tool.

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Matlovestruck@reddit

If it doesn't feel right, don't back into it. Get out and look. Every single time. The guys who've been doing this 20 years still get out and look. The ones who don't are the ones with body damage on their trailers. Also: never trust a shipper or receiver's clock for your detention time. Screenshot your ELD when you arrive and when you leave. If there's ever a dispute about how long you waited, your documentation wins.

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ursisterstoy@reddit

I write the in and out times on the bills before taking pictures and they can go back and look at my logs. And to be extra sure I submit detention for the entire time I was at the customer even if a lot of times they’re given 1 or 2 hours free. If I’m supposed to get detention pay and it’s for 2+ hours I will submit 2 hours and 15 minutes as the entire time waiting. I never go off what the customer says. I’m in the parking lot before I check in, I’m still there after I get the bills. The customer might not even put the full time from check in to check out. You can be in the dock for two hours and they won’t even touch you, when they start it takes them 20 minutes, they call you 30 minutes later to get your bill. That’s over 3 hours. The bill will say they only took 20 minutes.

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Matlovestruck@reddit

This is exactly it. The customer's bill will always show less time than what actually happened because they're only counting dock time, not the 30 minutes you sat in the lot waiting for a door or the time after they finished before they handed you the paperwork. Your ELD doesn't lie. Smart move writing the times on the bills yourself.

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biotox1n@reddit

take your time, slow it's fast. driving an extra 10mph for your entire trip might save you 4hr out of a 3 day trip and it'll cost you twice as much in fuel. you'll still get where you're going and on time doing 60 or 65 instead of 75.

traffic happens, just be patient, let people in or they're going to cut you off anyway, and if it's a problem like a merge zone for construction then split the lane and block them or you'll watch 100 people force their way in front of you.

don't rush your backing either or you will hit someone.

tailgating is just asking to get brake checked, riding their ass isn't helping you

so basically time and space are your friends, you'll be safer and happier as long as you relax

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ursisterstoy@reddit

My unpopular opinion is that it’s best to drive in accordance with driving regulations no matter what everyone else thinks you should do. Also know where you are going to take your breaks before you leave. You should do a full pretrip every start of your shift but check your tires when you stop, I had mine checked by maintenance in Indiana and didn’t look back and I got shut down in New York. Don’t let that happen, check your tires. Also check your lights because those are an easy fix and they could blow a light bulb any time. During your pretrip (though I’m guilty of being lazy myself) you should get under the trailer to make sure your parking brake springs aren’t broken. I’ve had several with three broken ones. If you’re new scale every load, scale if you’re experienced and you’re not sure. When you have the option of where to back in do back in but find the easiest location to get in and out because you don’t do yourself any favors making it difficult to back in only to get blocked in the next morning. If you can straight back facing the exit that’s most ideal.

Drive like you deserve the license you have, check your equipment, plan ahead, and when parking make it easy on yourself. You will get better at backing with practice and experience but don’t seek out the hard to back into locations where you need to do a 90° blind side or something stupid, if there’s a straight back take it, if there’s a pull through even better.

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Patalos@reddit

It’s a rule I was told by a mentor in a lot more dangerous field of work that I’ve carried with me ever since. When you’re about to do something, imagine it being in tomorrow’s headlines. If that doesn’t sound good, don’t do it. Stopped me from being lazy or cutting corners just because my fellow workers were doing it many a time.

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Cfwydirk@reddit

Teamsters union if you can find a union driving job. Fringe benefits second to none, Teamster job security and workrules (Safety.)

Equipment: passes DOT inspection

Load: secure and protected

Dispatch: with union work rules, you have some protection from bad dispatchers/managers.

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jessithecrow@reddit

get as much sleep as you can, as often as you can, and take care of your mental health.

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Grand_Chocolate_6863@reddit

Dont let anybody make you feel rushed. Take your time to make it to your destination safely

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Jamo3306@reddit

CLEAN GLASS. Always, always, always, always! Clean windshield, inside and out, Clean door windows, inside and out, Clean mirrors, reflective side only!, and clean your glasses, NOW, your day can start. It's surprising what you can miss in the haze of dust and bugs plate! It makes the job that much easier, like cutting with a sharp blade rather than a dull one. Also, walk around your truck when you get out. Just look at what you're driving and what it looks like. See the overall condition, it'll payoff when you find something that you didn't during your daily inspection. Nobody out here is your enemy, everybody is just trying to get along as best they can, give em a break. 👍

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mxadema@reddit

No one ever said, "i wish I haven't put so much securement on this load".

But lots said i wish I added more.

And since im on a spectrum, you can help securing the load, but im the one that tighten everything. (That way if somthing i dont like I dont have to loosen it up first).

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polarjunkie@reddit

There's two times you get in trouble, when you're over confident and not paying attention and when you're nervous as hell. Always pay attention but when you're getting overwhelmed take a minute to reset yourself.

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BB5er@reddit

Stay Humble! Stay Frosty! Embrace The Suck!

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Turbobrickx7@reddit

Don’t hold up traffic if possible, but also go the speed you are comfortable with. If that’s 30 in a 35 so be it. Those cars honking, and throwing their hands up out the window? Fuck em. Keep on trucking at your pace. You are working, they should have left earlier.

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InvestigatorBroad114@reddit

Check your lockjaw’s anytime the truck is outta your sight, lots of bad people out here

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bones_1775@reddit

The way to keep someone from pulling the release handle is to pull the tractor against the kingpin. With the jaws on the kingpin it's not going to come loose.

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MantisShrimpUpTop@reddit

Thank you! Gonna do this from now on.

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Ur_Fav_Step-Redditor@reddit

I do a tug test even if i just stopped for 2 minutes to check my phone and never left the driver seat.

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daemonescanem@reddit

It doesnt matter how long it takes to safely back into the spot, as long as you do its safely thats all that matters. Doesnt have to be pretty or smooth just safe.

Never be afraid to go to say NO to a dispatcher/driver manager, if they ask you to do something you think is dangerous, also never be afraid to go over their heads to safety with the issue either.

We all wanna make our money, but prioritize your rest and health both physical and mental. Its a fine line between tough and stupid.

If dispatch messes with your sleep schedule to much, push back against them. I once told a dispatcher that he would "grow wings and fly before I take that load to Montgomery".

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shadowmib@reddit

Anything that looks like piss, probably is.

Never touch any squished plastic bags.

Always assume someone pulled your fifth wheel din, so double check it and do a tug test

Never trust a fart

Go down the hills And around curves slower than you think you can handle.

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PutridBeginning421@reddit

Long following distance when possible. Stress free driving

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robexib@reddit

Dispatch's first concern is a successful delivery, no matter what you're told. They are literally financially incentivised to push you. That 100% colours every aspect of their job.

Do it safe, do it right, and get home. Let dispatch get mad you didn't do it lightning quick.

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Horchata415@reddit

I don’t drive if I can’t see the road.

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Gr00veChild@reddit

So many good ones here, didn't go through them all so hopefully this isn't a repeat.

Pull up the satellite view when doing your trip plan/prior to getting to your destination. You can gain so much information! I usually check out the dock situation (sometimes you're best to come in from a different direction) and any questionable roads/intersections in and out. I also check the reviews for the place, sometimes fellow drivers have left helpful information. If you have a moment leaving a review for the place is helpful for others!

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-purged@reddit

Look up unwriten book of the road on youtube.

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Icedragon2017@reddit

Keep your logs clean and legal, only drink from wide mouthed bottles (never know when you can't make it), don't argue with shipper/receiver cause they can hold you up even longer, triple wrap it for lot lizards, slow down for curves (tanker driver here), route plan at least 3 stops for end of day just incase there's hold ups, take 30min break in the fuel island without getting fuel, carry 5 gallon bucket, bags, and pool noodle for the 💩, use refilled wide mouthed bottles as tactical DOT spray missiles

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Ok-Combination7287@reddit

Are you saying, if you gotta take your 30 to use the fuel island even if you don't need fuel?

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Icedragon2017@reddit

100% do that /s pending you are joking that is

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bulldog1027@reddit

Figure out how you are going to get out of a space before you get in it. I am always thinking ahead to my exit and making sure I can get out of whatever space I am in. This applies to so many areas including parking.

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Gr00veChild@reddit

I've saved myself stress so many times with this! I've also looked silly walking to check something out that's got plenty of room, but you never know!

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SirKevin_Xx@reddit

Never fully trust someone who is spotting you while backing up no matter how annoyed or vigorously they’re waving their hand at you.

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Gr00veChild@reddit

💯!!! I always appreciate it and will utilize them to a degree, but you're absolutely correct. Something happens it's still your ass.

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Freightshaker000@reddit

Trust no one, not even other truckers.

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Shug_Shayne@reddit

Never use cruise control in the rain/snow!! I learned this the hard way my second week driving. Went over a bridge and the scariest shit happened to me. Thankfully I corrected it somehow and drove 30mph with my hazards on for the next 30 miles on I40, with my ass puckered up.

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GronGrinder@reddit

So... What was the scary thing that happened?

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ThePr0fessi0nal@reddit

Bridge WILL ice before road in cold weather. Probably lost traction on his steers.

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mindsunwound@reddit

If it looks like you can't back in there, you can't back in there. It's not worth your job, your license, or your life. Tell them to clear the path or reject the load. Call your company and tell them it is unsafe, take all the pictures. It's not your job to accommodate someone else's shitty situation of their own creation.

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Chuuby_Gringo@reddit

If im tired, stressed, or in a hurry, I GOAL, even if i don't need to, even if I've done it a gazillion times.

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Waisted-Desert@reddit

There's no load so hot that it won't cool off in a ditch.

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Noxious14@reddit

Don’t overlook trip planning. Have 3 backup plans and expect to need plan C.

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SufferedMage936@reddit

Turn on your lockers before your stuck and you might make it out without getting stuck.

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wallyslambanger@reddit

Never be in a rush, even if you’re (especially when) you’re late. You’re going to get there when you get there.

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Fascist_Pig_Psycho@reddit

Relax. Slow down. Let them in. Let them pass. It's not a race. Kindness costs you nothing.

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Jimlee1471@reddit

When you do your trip planning (at least, I HOPE you do trip planning) then try this: figure out where you're gonna stop at the end of your driving hours for the day; now find a suitable stop on the map an hour before that. With the way parking has been for the past decade it really helps to have a backup plan, and this keeps you from running out of hours due to not being able to find a place to shut down.

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workaap@reddit

Gravel train driver here. Don’t trust anyone else to do safety checks for you, do them your self. And Always look up when dumping.

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weman1970@reddit

Don't let dispatch drive your truck for you its your cdl and your life

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LuisChoriz@reddit

Never second guess yourself and go with your gut instinct-especially when looking for a parking spot or think someone is driving like an asshole.

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AroundGoesThe18@reddit

Never park next to Swift or Western Express. Always brew your own coffee because the equipment at truck stops are rarely cleaned. Do everything possible to stay off the radar of your company's safety department. Assume evert other driver around you is either drunk or is holding their cell phone up to their face.

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Arnhildr-Fang@reddit

ALWAYS check the back of a trailer...my 1st codriver picked up an "empty" & almost stole cargo by accident. Another driver i know unknowingly had a body in there...even if customer says its empty, CHECK

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EagleKeeper493@reddit

I have this rule where regardless of what navigation says, I'll stay on the interstate as long as possible. No matter how lost or turned around you get, you'll never get into a sketchy situation on an interstate. This applies to US highways too. State highways can get squirrely real fast IMO.

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CrashingTiger@reddit

The day you decide you know everything is the day it's time to retire.

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truckinfarmer379@reddit

You can never over secure cargo. More securement is better than under secured. It only takes 1 time of “oh, it’ll be fine. It’s not going anywhere” to have a bad, bad day

I haul a lot of tall, high center of gravity loads. If I need to go a bit slower around a corner, I do it. If the traffic behind me doesn’t like it, too bad….they’d like it even less if I laid the truck over and blocked the road for hours.

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Spitfire954@reddit

I run a heavy lowboy and it’s funny how many guys say things like “You can get away with 4 chains, it’ll ride”. My response is “what are we getting away with? 2 more chains and 5 minutes?” Like do you think all the drivers who had a load come off the trailer or hit a bridge thought they were fucked and ran it anyway? Or do you think they thought “it’ll ride”?

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lily_harrison@reddit

If you ever have a doubt about driving in inclement weather, shut it down. I live by "if its bad enough to chain, its bad enough to stop." No load is worth your life.

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