50 Tips for Truck Drivers – Second Part

At the Truck Stops/Parking

27. Get Out and Look (G.O.A.L.)

Before backing up your truck, get out of the truck and look around. This ensures that you are aware of -and can avoid- any dangers while backing up.

28. Lock Your Loads

An unaccompanied truck is often a target for robbery. Any time you stop, confirm that your truck is securely locked. This is doubly important if you intend to walk away from your truck.

29. Lock All Doors to Avoid Break-Ins When at Truck Stops

Your cargo isn’t the only thing that can get robbed when you stop for a break. Somebody might break into your truck for the money, supplies, or even your radio. Lock every single door whenever you leave your truck.

30. Check Out the Delivery Spot

Just because a customer or shipper says your truck can fit in a delivery spot, don’t take their word for it. Check it out on foot first, confirming that your truck can safely fit into and exit the spot and won’t block traffic.

31. Choose Your Truck Stops Wisely

Not all truck stops are safe. If a truck stop doesn’t have good lighting or is empty, it could be dangerous. Plan to stop only at safe truck stops and always park near other trucks when possible. Keep an eye out for signs of human trafficking at truck stops.

32. Careful When Unloading Freight

There are multiple dangers when you unload freight. You could injure yourself, damage the freight or even be robbed. Take care to protect yourself and your cargo when unloading freight.

33. Secure Your Doors When Sleeping at Night

Your truck is in roughly as much danger while you are sleeping as it is when you aren’t present. Fully secure your doors while you sleep to prevent anyone from robbing your truck or assaulting you while you sleep.

34. Don’t Talk About Your Load in Public or Over the Radio

You are less likely to be robbed if nobody but you and your client knows the value of your load. Avoid telling anyone what you are carrying. A potential thief is much less likely to try to steal your load if they can’t be certain that your truck isn’t empty or carrying something of minimal value.

Checking Your Truck

35. Inspect the Engine Compartment

Before every trip, you should perform an inspection of your truck. When you’re taking a look at the engine compartment, check all fluids, belts and wiring insulation for wear or low levels.

36. Check Tires

Your tires will get a lot of use. Check carefully for any objects embedded in them, like nails, that could lead to a blowout. Also, check the pressure and tire tread, replacing any tires as necessary.

37. Check Your Load

Make sure that your load is well secured and isn’t missing anything. And always make certain you have the correct load. The last thing you want to do is drive 2,000 miles only to deliver the wrong load.

38. Che Check Fluid Levels

Check your oil, coolant, power steering fluid, brake fluid and windshield wiper fluid levels before every trip.ck Fluid Levels
Check your oil, wiper fluid levels before every trip.

39. Check for Dripping Coolant or Oil

This check should be relatively easy. Move your truck a few feet after it has been sitting for at least a few hours. If there is a puddle on the ground, you are likely leaking something.

40. Inspect Your Brakes

Your brakes are extremely important to the safety of your truck. Check your brake lining for the appropriate thickness, ensure that air lines aren’t damaged and check your brakes for proper alignment. If there is any hint of damage or wear, replace the appropriate part immediately.

41. Check Your Lights and Reflectors

Check every single headlight, brake light, warning light and turn signal to make sure they work properly. This check will be easier when it is darker. Also, check your reflectors for damage.

42. Careful When Exiting Vehicle

No matter how much of a hurry you are in, make sure you have three points of contact at all times while exiting your vehicle. Never jump from the cab to the ground, and look closely to make sure you aren’t stepping on something slippery.

43. Inspect the Coupling System

If the coupling system fails while you are driving, your trailer could release while on the road. Check the fifth wheel, air lines, gap, mounting bolt and locking jaws to ensure they don’t have any damage and are in the correct positions.

Watch Out for Weather

44. Don’t Drive in Poor Visibility

Remember that it takes roughly 600 feet to stop your vehicle. If you can’t see at least that far ahead of you at all times, you shouldn’t even consider driving. Always drive slowly when visibility is reduced in any way to avoid rear-end truck accidents.

45. Driving in Intense Heat Can Cause Tire Bursts

Your tires are under a lot of pressure, and when air heats up, it expands. In extremely high heat, your tires may burst. Give your tires plenty of breaks if you must drive in high heat.

46. Park in Cases of Impassable Snow

If heavy snow has forced you to stop, you may not be able to get to a safe place. Park your truck and keep it running to prevent fluids from freezing. Keep flashing lights on to stay visible and prevent others from striking you. You should also report your location to emergency services if possible.

47. Watch Out for Black Ice

Even with chains on your tires, your truck can’t gain much traction on ice. Since black ice is essentially invisible, you need to drive very slowly and carefully any time there is a risk of black ice. If you believe there is a lot of ice on the road, pull over and wait for state services to remove the ice.

48. Wear Sunglasses When Appropriate

There are sunglasses, and then there are sunglasses. Good sunglasses may cost a few hundred dollars, but they will protect your eyes a lot better than cheap sunglasses and should last for years. Just make sure to take them off at night.

49. Be Extra Cautious at Night

In addition to decreased visibility, nighttime driving presents dangers that you are less likely to face during the day, such as animals that only come out at night.

50. Watch Wind Conditions

High winds can cause your truck to roll over, especially when driving over bridges. If you feel your truck start to sway even a little due to wind, pull over immediately and wait out the wind.