I wanted to shed some light on this issue since the media has decided to do a 180 when it comes to truck drivers.
Keep in mind, these are my personal experiences, and opinions.
I have been around truck driving since I was 6 years old. My dad drove for 30 years. I was with him on the road for 10 years. I have been to 48 states. I did not start driving because I wanted to see the sites or get paid to do it like most new drivers. It's not a job, it's a lifestyle. It gets in your blood if you have the passion for it and is damn hard to forget. Most new drivers quit before the first year.
Now, the media has attacked truck drivers for decades. 80% of accidents involving a truck and car are the car's fault. Yet truck drivers are guilty till proven innocent. Ever see those ambulance chaser billboards? "Hit by a truck?"
Next time you're on a road trip, watch for those No Engine Breaks signs. Why are they their? Because the people of the town have decided that a quiet highway or interstate is more preferred to safety. When I am fully loaded, 80000 lbs, it can take more than 1000 feet for me to stop. Engine breaks help me stop and can reduce that distance. I don't care how loud they are, and mine are pretty damn quiet. It's a safety issue. I would rather make a little noise than plow into a car, business or house. Yet the media goes on a rampage against truckers when something bad happens because he's trying to abide by local regulations.
This Covid-19 issue? Sure it sucks for most people. Not for truckers though. There's so much freight, we can't keep up. Truck stops are still open. I get a shower every day. Restaurants and fast food joints in truck stops are still open. You just can't go in and sit down right now. Get your food, take it back to the truck. UberEats and DinerDash deliver food to our trucks too. Parking has not been an issue. Some rest areas are closed. Who cares? Most truck drivers don't stay at them for long anyway. They like to park at truck stops. The different companies have terminals we can park at all over the U.S.
I can't tell you how many times I have been thanked over the past month. I've got so many boxes of granola bars from General Mills I don't know what do with them. Costco is giving us giant care packages of food and supplies. I've probably got 30 gallons of water in my sleeper.
We're good. Don't believe the crap the media is pushing out. It's all about money and sensationalism. They don't give a rat's ass about truckers.
Truck Driving, the media, and Covid-19.
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sgtaliin9150
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MrTShirt
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Garmin has a RV model of GPS tailored for a RV. Garmin also has a trucker model of GPS tailored for a truck.sgtaliin9150 link wrote: I have a computer mounted on my dash that interfaces with the truck. It has a truck routing GPS, but is unreliable. It has tried to route me through low bridges, towns that you can't bring a truck into, and is rarely updated.
Highways and interstates are not constant either. The Dallas/Ft. Worth area has a bunch of new interchanges. Whenever I go through that area, my GPS shows me out in a field somewhere. Forget using Google Maps for truck routing. Many drivers have gotten into sticky situations because they use it. Not sure why they can't simply read signs.
However, considering how out-of-date the data can be for a car, I am not surprised that truck data may be way off at times.
I use my car GPS to navigate around towns I am familiar with. It is amazing how some GPS routes can be so far off from what I normally take.
My point is that one wants to have several means of navigating when traveling.
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Prospector Bob
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^^^sgtaliin9150 link wrote: Google Maps has been invaluable tool that I use though. No longer do I need to call a shipper or receiver for directions. It's great to be able to pull up a satellite image and figure out the best approach.
I've done this before leaving home when going to places I've never been before. I will still have my paper maps though. They've never taken me to the wrong place...
I refuse to be victimized by notions of virtuous behavior.
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rachelvarga
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If you are going down the highway how do you know your truck will fit? Aren't some bridges different?sgtaliin9150 link wrote: I have a computer mounted on my dash that interfaces with the truck. It has a truck routing GPS, but is unreliable. It has tried to route me through low bridges, towns that you can't bring a truck into, and is rarely updated.
Highways and interstates are not constant either. The Dallas/Ft. Worth area has a bunch of new interchanges. Whenever I go through that area, my GPS shows me out in a field somewhere. Forget using Google Maps for truck routing. Many drivers have gotten into sticky situations because they use it. Not sure why they can't simply read signs.
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sgtaliin9150
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Truck maps list roads with height restrictions. Bridges usually have a height sign a couple of miles before you get to it.Rachel Varga link wrote: If you are going down the highway how do you know your truck will fit? Aren't some bridges different?
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Whenever I have to move around a city or town with low power lines, it's kind of an instinctive thing. Becomes second nature. I know how tall the trailer is and can see when something is too low.
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Cobia
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sgtaliin9150 link wrote: Truck maps list roads with height restrictions. Bridges usually have a height sign a couple of miles before you get to it.
Whenever I have to move around a city or town with low power lines, it's kind of an instinctive thing. Becomes second nature. I know how tall the trailer is and can see when something is too low.
Back in the 60's not all the underpasses in Chicago were labeled. Very exciting at times.
Last edited by Cobia on Fri Apr 24, 2020 1:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.
If you don't like the way I'm livin then leave this long haired country boy alone.
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rachelvarga
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NavySteve
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Awesome video. 
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sgtaliin9150
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Wow... Just a normal day of stupidity.
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sgtaliin9150
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Prospector Bob
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DANG! :osgtaliin9150 link wrote:
I refuse to be victimized by notions of virtuous behavior.
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Cobia
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sgtaliin9150 link wrote:
I pulled a 46 ft. Merritt full pot ( triple deck) for a while that was about 20 in. off the ground. Loads of fun.
If you don't like the way I'm livin then leave this long haired country boy alone.
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wrb55roscojr
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The RGN''removable goose neck''. That I pulled had only a 6'' clearance on the outside rail. From the ground....The trailer was a TKMGHG Trail King....
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sgtaliin9150
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Cobia link wrote: I pulled a 46 ft. Merritt full pot ( triple deck) for a while that was about 20 in. off the ground. Loads of fun.
I've avoided doing anything specialized for a reason. I'm not a big risk taker. I do haul hazmat though. I'll stick with my 53' dry box trailers. [emoji38]wrb55roscojr link wrote: The RGN''removable goose neck''. That I pulled had only a 6'' clearance on the outside rail. From the ground....The trailer was a TKMGHG Trail King....