A bunch of useless crap
Published on July 26, 2006 By MasonM In Blogging
This load of utility trailers is a royal pain in the ass. They are stacked two high and to call the load unstable is an understatement. I am making very slow progress as I have to stop about every 50 miles to retighten the traps and chains because these things keep shifting around no matter how tightly I bind them.

The first one to shift was the one on the top rear. It slid over to the right about a foot and I was afraid it was going to come off the trailer before I could get stopped. I resecured everything, again, and am making my way slowly and carefully. When one of them shifted it got right up against a chain binder and now has a nice big scrape in the paint. I'm sure the customer is going to be very thrilled with that.

I described the problems and damage to dispatch when I checked in this morning. He said if I can just get them there without any falling off he'll be happy. We can deal with any damage claim later. It really pisses me off because I don't ever have damage claims on my loads. I told him that under no circumstances would I ever haul another load of these. He agreed we wouldn't pick up there again.

I'll be very glad to be rid of this load. I had planned on being there this afternoon, but with the slow progress it'll be tomorrow morning at the earliest. I really hate loads like this.

Comments
on Jul 26, 2006

Good grief Mason be careful.

That is scary to think about...if you are scooting down the highway and have to stop suddenly....or any sudden turn those things could break loose and really do some damage.

Reading your blog has really given me an education in commercial trucking...and some of it is pretty scary stuff.

Heres hoping you arrive one load in one piece.

on Jul 26, 2006
#1 by Tova7
Wed, July 26, 2006 11:40 AM



[Tova7]

Good grief Mason be careful.

That is scary to think about...if you are scooting down the highway and have to stop suddenly....or any sudden turn those things could break loose and really do some damage.

Reading your blog has really given me an education in commercial trucking...and some of it is pretty scary stuff.

Heres hoping you arrive one load in one piece.


Thanks. Actually I have it secured well enough that there's little danger they'll actually fall off the trailer. Most of the danger is that they'll shift around and damage each other.

It's just a pain to have to stop so often to maintain that security. But, I'd rather take my time and take much longer to get there than have one of them fall off and possibly kill someone. Safety is always my highest priority.
on Jul 26, 2006

Actually I have it secured well enough that there's little danger they'll actually fall off the trailer. Most of the danger is that they'll shift around and damage each other.

That was what I was going to ask, but that at least re-assures me.  I have seen loads like that, and I cant get around the truck fast enough.  I hope all drivers are as conscientious as you.

on Jul 26, 2006
Actually I have it secured well enough that there's little danger they'll actually fall off the trailer. Most of the danger is that they'll shift around and damage each other.


That was my concern too, and like the doc says, at least that's re-assuring! I'll be happy for ya too when this is finished with.
Stay cool, and have a safe trip til it's done with! God go with you! good Lord knows there's a bunch of weird drivers out there
on Jul 26, 2006
#3 by Dr. Guy
Wed, July 26, 2006 0:06 PM



[Dr. Guy]

That was what I was going to ask, but that at least re-assures me. I have seen loads like that, and I cant get around the truck fast enough. I hope all drivers are as conscientious as you.


It's best to get around any truck as quickly as you can anyway. Ya never know when one of those big tires will blow and send a 50 pound chuck of rubber your way.

I think most drivers are very safety minded. The last thing any of us wants to for someone to be injured out here.
on Jul 26, 2006
#4 by Trudygolightly
Wed, July 26, 2006 1:23 PM



[Trudygolightly]
Actually I have it secured well enough that there's little danger they'll actually fall off the trailer. Most of the danger is that they'll shift around and damage each other.


That was my concern too, and like the doc says, at least that's re-assuring! I'll be happy for ya too when this is finished with.
Stay cool, and have a safe trip til it's done with! God go with you! good Lord knows there's a bunch of weird drivers out there


Thanks Trudy
on Jul 26, 2006
After stopping yet again to tighten everything down and then 5 miles later spotting one of the trailers shifting yet again and having to stop on the shoulder to retighten again I said screw it I've had enough of this crap for one day. (how's that for a long sentence?)

While I am normally very cool and can deal with a lot of crap out here, this load has become very stressful and I've just had enough. I'm still 3 hours out from my destination but I am not moving another mile until morning. My nerves won't take it. I'll get a fresh start in the morning after once again making sure everything is as tight as I can make it.
on Jul 26, 2006
It's best to get around any truck as quickly as you can anyway. Ya never know when one of those big tires will blow and send a 50 pound chuck of rubber your way.


Actually I came up on a truck this morning that was going "brrrrrapppp brrrrrappppp brrrraappp". I got around it fast!

Turns out it was just the straps on the load vibrating.

Thanks for the advice!
on Jul 26, 2006
While I am normally very cool and can deal with a lot of crap out here, this load has become very stressful and I've just had enough. I'm still 3 hours out from my destination but I am not moving another mile until morning. My nerves won't take it. I'll get a fresh start in the morning after once again making sure everything is as tight as I can make it.


A wise man!

Seriously, its good to know when enough is enough.

Can you mail me some of that? heh.
on Jul 26, 2006
#8 by Dr. Guy
Wed, July 26, 2006 8:02 PM



[Dr. Guy]
It's best to get around any truck as quickly as you can anyway. Ya never know when one of those big tires will blow and send a 50 pound chuck of rubber your way.


Actually I came up on a truck this morning that was going "brrrrrapppp brrrrrappppp brrrraappp". I got around it fast!

Turns out it was just the straps on the load vibrating.

Thanks for the advice!


You're welcome. One of those pieces of rubber comes through your windshield it can take your head off.
on Jul 26, 2006
#9 by Tova7
Wed, July 26, 2006 8:23 PM



[Tova7]
While I am normally very cool and can deal with a lot of crap out here, this load has become very stressful and I've just had enough. I'm still 3 hours out from my destination but I am not moving another mile until morning. My nerves won't take it. I'll get a fresh start in the morning after once again making sure everything is as tight as I can make it.


A wise man!

Seriously, its good to know when enough is enough.

Can you mail me some of that? heh.


Well, I've always believed that a person under undo stress tends to make bad decisions and so try to avoid it as a bad decision at the wheel of a big rig can cost someone their life.
on Jul 26, 2006
Geez - I hope you get there safely.
My Husband told me to stay back far enough so I can see the trucker in his mirrors - that's where I signal I'm passing.
I'll zip by more quickly now! Thanks for the advise.
How's Scorates?
on Jul 26, 2006
#12 by feisty_in_ohio
Wed, July 26, 2006 10:36 PM




Geez - I hope you get there safely.
My Husband told me to stay back far enough so I can see the trucker in his mirrors - that's where I signal I'm passing.
I'll zip by more quickly now! Thanks for the advise.
How's Scorates?


You're husband is correct in that. Trucks have huge blind spots that make it impossible for the driver to see you and that includes a long way back directly behind the truck.

One should pass as quickly as safely possible. The real dummies are the ones who will start to pass a rig, get right beside it and just sit there. They have no clue just how much danger they are in. Not just because of the tires. Trucks don't stop quickly and it's much easier to swerve around an obstacle than to stop for one (which is almost impossible). SO if you're sitting in a blind spot beside the truck guess what happens if that truck has to swerve to avoid a collision?

Socrates is doing great, thanks for asking. Right now he's playing and I hope he's about worn himself out as it's approaching bedtime.