“So you want to be a Truck Driver” Quiz

[mwilson]

First question....

What are these plastic strips for???

(Hint...trailer is from Canada)

 

[Tuesdak]

Better hint: they take the place of painted lines on tires and require use of mirrors...

 

[RideSlow2004]

Tell ya when your tires on the trailer aren't turning anymore?

 

[GCroyle]

He's talking about a rubber strap that is attached to a lug nut on the trailer wheel. Its long enough that it sticks out and hangs outside the tire. You can look in the mirror and see it that way you can be sure the brakes released and the wheels are turning. Sometimes the brakes freeze to the drums in the winter and if its slick and they dont release, you can be going down the road with a set of duals not turning. I have seen it happen. Even though the road is slick and icy, its still possible to make some big flat spots on the tires and ruin them.

Nope, Im not that smart, just did a quick search and copied the reply.

Did I get it Mike?

 

[mwilson]

Yes, you did!! Ding Ding Ding!!!

A real issue with an empty or lightly loaded trailer in the winter. Even heavily loaded trailers will bother in low traction conditions. The lower brake shoe will freeze to the brake drum overnight in the right conditions.

 

[GCroyle]

But Mike, I cheated n Googled.

I'll give the prize back.

 

[Tractorat]

hmmm......... I was going to say they were to take out the spokes of rival trucks like they did on the chariots in ben hurr :-laf

 

[Tuesdak]

I thought you would post some hard DOT questions like wait till you are over 21, aka do something else after high school, before you can become a CDL licensed truck driver.

 

[mwilson]

"Don't do it at all" is the advice given to me when I started driving many years ago....but I did it anyways....

 

[mwilson]

What are the benefits of this suspension / axle configuration..........

Versus this configuration......

 

[Wayne M.]

Spread Tandems? I always thought it helped with spreading out weight on bridges etc. I'm sure it's more stable in crosswinds.

 

[GCroyle]

OK, no googling. The spread is a reefer the other unknown. I bet that spread needs a bit more dock navigation to spot it and the close can pivot better or easier so better as a city route rig.

Never said I was a 18 wheeler dude. Would like to run one sometime.

 

[The patriot]

20K per axle with the spread.....

 

[jhenderson]

It's 20K per axle with or without the spread. The spread is to conform with bridge loading laws. Minimum distance between axles can be up to 6ft for wt distribution. Even wider in Canada, known as a Canadian spread.

 

[mwilson]

It's 20K per axle with or without the spread. The spread is to conform with bridge loading laws. Minimum distance between axles can be up to 6ft for wt distribution. Even wider in Canada, known as a Canadian spread.

For the purpose of following the Federal Bridge Law on the Interstate Highway System ( with no discussion of state by state grandfathered or legislated allowances) you must have 10’ from axle center to axle center to allow 20,000 lbs per axle. In the standard spread shown above it is 17,000 lb per axle. When I get on something other than this tiny little iPhone I will illustrate it better...

 

[Deleted member 995608]

I thought the first was "Curb Feelers"

 

[Oz_Ram]

Is the wide spread axles a load sharing setup?

We would have them spread near on that wide over here but as a load sharing tri-axle setup (an extra axle between those two).

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

I thought you would post some hard DOT questions like wait till you are over 21, aka do something else after high school, before you can become a CDL licensed truck driver.

You can become a licensed cdl driver at 18, you just can’t cross state lines.

 

[mwilson]

You can become a licensed cdl driver at 18, you just can’t cross state lines.

Plus no one will insure you..

 

[jhenderson]

10'. That shows how long it's been sence I helped hang a tag axle.