Hey there Big Strappers. Hope you got some value from this video, in case you ever decide to try out the specialized niche of hauling fresh produce. If you get with the right company, it can be quite profitable. Are you with a reefer company now or considering trying your hand at temp controlled freight hauling?
I contract with WalMart hauling meat and produce with a rare frozen, dairy and deli load and rarer dry remix. We pull Tranes, Carriers and ThermoKings triple temp trailers. They are roll up doors (EVERY company should have these). I carry books and code sheets for all 3. We get the trailers pre-loaded, but I still check the sheets. I have had a few times where instead of 40/32/40 it was 40/-20/40 (Dairy and frozen temps) I also run backhauls of eggs or frozen from Walmart suppliers. These guys work by the hour, they aren't in a rush, and normally will not let you on their docks, the eggs due to FDA health requirements. They will put on the bill that you were not on the docks. All your advice was good. I started hauling garbage in '96 for Covenant. All I can say is PULP THOSE TRAILERS. Fill the trailer every time you fill the tractor, even if it takes 2 gallons. A great habit to get into. If it is hot, try to fuel the reefer before you get to the receiver, you never know when some little Napoleon with a power complex will decide that your load of strawberries aren't as important as the trailer of basil and make you wait 9 hours for their next 'available' dock, or the lumpers will be taking a siesta, or he just doesn't like Kenworths in ~that~ particular shade of blue. (I had it happen in The Port of Newark) Reefer can be a good choice, but you have to be extremely careful who you do it with. You have a good setup. Dedicated, like with my Walmart contract is also great as long as you can put up with some of the (ahem) associates who work there and the stores that think they are there for your convenience, and you should help them unload. (Last I checked, I was a driver, not a lumper) As far as leaving the industry, I have got used to sleeping with a reefer behind my head and the sound of my wheels moving when I'm awake. When I retire, I will have to make sure I record both just so I can sleep at night.
I once had my reefer switched off at a truck stop a half mile away from the DC by the driver sleeping in the parking stall next to me. Camera shows him getting out his tractor, walking over to my reefer control box, flipping the switch, getting back into his tractor, and driving off. He was a Walmart dc driver too. It was a load of shredded cheese from Crystal Farms to Walmart. Was a great big claim.
Just landed a job at Erb Transport (I'm newly licensed) so I'm starting in reefer work right off the hop! :) They have an 8-10 week entry level training program which is great too. Unfortunately cuz of Corona HR shut down training till further notice to not put 2 people in the close quarters of the truck. I do officially have the job though so can't wait to get going once HR deems it okay to start up entry training again! Anyways here's to starting my career off right away in reefer work haha! This video series is already super helpful thanks Dave, and couldn't have been timed any better than with my stage of transition! Trying to study up so I have a good set of base knowledge for when I officially start :) Keep on rollin on Dave!
Thank you. That was very helpful for me because I am about to start a career in Reefer trucking. Just received my class A on 12/23/2020 so I am very new to the trucking industry. I will reach out for more information. Thank you again for the great video.👍🏽
I’m a dispatcher and I love watching your videos because your so thorough with explaining everything and very helpful. I take all your videos and try and help all my new and old drivers to try and help them as much as I can. I was a dispatcher for JB HUNT for 8 years and just started my own dispatching company and I learn something new everyday watching your videos. Thank you so much for sharing all your knowledge.
I have a new appreciation for flatbed. I never would have guessed that some reefer loads need careful, gentle driving. The only time I remember making my load so much as budge was when I accidentally pulled a Tokyo Drift on an onramp into Ohio.
That's the beauty with EU-pallet that we have over here, they are dimensioned to fit perfectly against the walls both if you put them straight in 3 pallets wide or sideways 2 pallets wide, no real chance of the load turning over unless you mix high and low pallets.
When I got my CDL from a fly by night socalled trucking school I learned everything the hard way with no training. These are the things that cost my company money because of them not training or informing me about my job description. I didn't know that I was suppose to put fuel in a refer unit or even know how to use one which caused it to shut off when it ran out of fuel. I noticed when I pulled over I had a long streak of fluid coming out of the trailer which was the actual frozen freight juices that melted in the hot summer Florida weather. I had to take it in to get serviced because apparently it ruined something in the primer unit if I recall. I've been pulled in weigh stations for not knowing how to use them. I've had a ticking noise in my motor that eventually caused the motor to go out in the mountains of Utah. They towed me in with a loaded trailer and said I had no oil in the tractor. I've almost killed myself by not knowing how to come down a mountain in the Winter time. I thought the engine was going to blow out because of the gear I was in I was to scared to touch the breaks because of the snow. I could go on and on with the crazy stories that I have encountered that was due to no training. I really believe that when companies give us a truck to drive without any training should be prosecuted for accidents. 🙏
When I worked a dock, I always let the drivers know exactly how many pallets and weight of the load then asked them how they would like it loaded, 99% of the time they had no opinion. Also, the majority of the pallets we had could not be loaded sideways because there were no gaps in the sides for the forks to get under. I think most docks are happy to load it however you want if you let them know. They do not drive the trucks or have a CDL, they do not know about your weight and balance issues. They are given a manifest of the pallets to put in your truck and will usually just load all trailers the same if they get no complaints. Many of these docks have high turnover as well so you can often be loaded by a low experienced operator. Don't be shy about letting them know how you want the pallets placed and spaced, it takes all the thinking out of it for them.
As an OTR flatbedder with a little over a year experience, I learned a lot about refer with these vids. It’s a lot more complex than I thought. This guy is great he has a life time of knowledge, and it is very valuable for the rookie truckers to watch. Thanks.
Sometimes we would have a reefer pull in to drop off pallets of 50lb boxed product and the place that loaded them put like a single loose layer of plastic wrap around them. Often at least a few pallets would go over. I hated hand stacking those pallets in the reefer with that floor they have, It was a rolled ankle waiting to happen and some of those reefers had that nasty ass odor in them. But at least they were fun to load in the middle of the summer, our warehouse had no ac, would get very hot and we had to wear sanitary overcoats, it was nice pulling in and out of the reefer and it even helped cool down the dock a little. I liked to sweep out the trailer for the driver if we had any spilled product but that floor made it a bitch to sweep out.
I'm not a CDL driver, but somehow I ended up watching a couple of your videos. Not only do I find them interesting, but it's obvious how much you care about the profession, and how knowledgeable you are! Well done, Sir!
I'm glad I waited for this post. The company recruiting me wants to do mixed temperature loads. It's an easy decision because of your opinion & experience. Thank you for taking the time to share. I'll stick with what I'm doing.
Great Information! This video settles it: I will remain never hauling produce. I ain't getting rich hauling frozen but I ain't getting "claimed" against either.
Hey DAVE, this is great and very informative channel. I just stumbled upon it 3 days ago and it keeps my stay at home (damn coronavirus)fun. I am looking to get into industry and already getting a big pic what i might get into. Big thanks Also being deaf i am expecting some challenges along the way and yet about to find out if there are any deaf truckers OTR. Till then everyone stay healthy.cheers
Hey Roman, since your last post I've been thinking about being deaf and running the interstate and I don't see why not! I wondered how it would be to drive without the sounds of the engine to guide you but I would think that paying close attention to the gauges would work just as well. Trucking is full of challenges and it's good to know that you're not obviously not afraid of those! Good luck and please keep me posted!
@@SmartTrucking Thanks Dave, I am planning to go with Swift to gain some experience. Classes will start around June so until then I LL be drilling for more information trough you awesome channel...stay healhy
i pulled reefer under my own authority for years,could you mention a few tools that make your life easier like a reefer fuel cap with a tire valve in it for when you run out of fuel(cause you will) or a roll of 8 gauge wire for alternator failure.thanks again for your great vids
Dave that was by far the most informative trucking video I have ever seen. Been hauling frozen 15 yrs and fresh produce last 10. Except for being taught originally by my father no one is teaching drivers these things. Only hauled for 5-6 companies in that time but no one I know is teaching guys these things....it's a mostly learn as you go process.....
I'm just trying to help new guys so they don't learn the hard way by getting a claim. Some of those coolers and warehouses can be bastards, as I'm sure you know!
@@SmartTrucking yes I understand and appreciate your efforts I don't think I took your videos seriously at first , because there is so much bullshit out there from people that don't know what they are talking about. So for all you new drivers and young men in trucking if you scan the comments as I do. Listen to Dave he not only means well ,but he really does know what he is talking about ....take care everyone in these tough times.
Creamery here in New England that Land O Lakes bought, started not letting drivers onto the dock, started having loading and unloading problems so us local drivers founds ways to wiggle our way onto the dock, FedEx padlocks his trailer and won't let anyone have the key, Dui Pyle says he needs to organize freight, I just tell them my company only wants the driver opening the trailer door.
Reefer walls, we called them bunker doors, must seal properly. If you have frozen in the nose of the trailer and more sensitive product behind, it can freeze, even if the door seals tight. I hauled mixed loads quite often and occasionally there was a problem. Like you said check your temps. Our loads were ready when we were dispatched. The supervisor was responsible to start the reefer, sometimes they wouldn’t start the rear unit on a duel temperature trailer. I would make the reefer part of my pre-trip inspection. I didn’t want to have to worry about temps and fuel levels. Great advice as always!
Good advice Dave. I, myself, hated hauling produce, because it could be so finicky, especially lettuce! But your advice can go a long way to avoiding a claim......
I've been running reefer for 7 years now and you're absolutely correct on all of this... I just can't say no to them $7,000 loads out of California..... I may wait out in the field for them to pick and cool but it pays at the end.
Great information ! I've pulled maybe 1/2 dozen reefer loads, cheese & meat. No produce. Recently, my fuel hauling job got really slow, due to this virus thing. Going to work next week doing reefer work. My question is, on Twitter I'm seeing shippers won't let drivers on the dock now. Can't watch the loading process. What do you recommend in this situation ?
@@SmartTrucking Hey Dave I've heard you say you live in northern Ontario. Thats where my mothers family is from. Shes from Sturgeon Falls, if you know where that is. Still have cousins in the area there. Btw my favorite story of yours is the frozen bread dough story!
I had a frozen load that went to Arizona when it was 126 degrees outside. They wanted me to sit 8 1/2 hours prior to going to the dock and the refer was not able to keep up with the temperature. The best the temperature was running was around 44°. After telling to shipper, they made an exception and got me in and loaded right away.
Dude I would literally go insane if I had to sit and wait 8.5 hours to unload. I haul bulk loads with an end dump trailer, longest I ever waited was 2.5 hours, 95% of the time it takes under 1 hour to unload.
Definitely do not want to run outta fun. I got tasked to check out a dead refer unit at a drop/hook customer. It would crank, but not start. Fuel tank was full. Turned out someone ran it dry, fueled it up, but never took it to our shop to get restarted. After several calls back and forth to our shop, i figured out how to reprime the fuel system. I was a mechanic in the Army before i switched to driver before i got out, so i have a bit more than basic knowledge, just not the experience on these. It took what seemed like forever to get that refer unit reprimed to were it would start and stay running.
Almost 15 minutes of top-notch reefer instruction and no Lettuce King story? Tell me it's not so! I'll cut you some slack, Dave, I'm sure it just slipped your mind. Thanks for the good instruction. Keith-
there is also another reason for chimney blocking and loading side way, you can get 26 pallets when you put them straight, 28 pallets when you chimney block and 30 pallets when you put them side ways
Hey there. Just starting driving under my own authority here in Ontario Canada. I want to get into reefer hauling. I noticed you had a thermometer in your hands. What is the type is it and are they easy to find? When checking load temps, are you simply checking the temp inside each box or just the top boxes? Thank you and love your vids. Very helpful.
I agree with your loading techniques. However, I am finding in recent years that we are not allowed to be on the dock during loading or unloading in many cases. The company's safety reasons and that does make sense you don't want somebody getting run over by a forklift. Some dark shippers will be conscious enough to ask you how you would like it loaded even though you're not allowed to stand on the dock and watch. However I've run into situations where pretty much all control has been taken away and all you get to see is what's in the back of the trailer when you put Logistics bars or stops across the back. Picking up preloaded trailers that are already sealed and it's 2:00 in the morning is probably the worst scenario because you don't really know how that trailer was loaded until you get to the other end. All your info was good though and I would tell the new drivers to listen to what you have to say keep it safe people.
What? No Lettuce King Story?? There has to be one in there somewhere! 🤣 Great expert advice, Dave, and all so very true. Securement and temperature monitoring are key to hauling produce. I had to do a few multi temp loads before. You’re right, those bulkheads are a pain in the ass! I hauled a few broccoli loads out of Yuma, AZ and yes, they ice those puppies down! Wish you were around to advise me back then. I would’ve loved to have run with you back in those days, we would’ve had a great time together! Who knows, we may have even crossed paths before back in those days!
The company I work for now loads floor stacked with lots of load locks in a tri temp trailer, I'd seen it before and thought "what the hell is this mess" after a few day doing I don't ever want to see a pallet again i absolutely love it lol, I do hand and 2 wheeler unloading on a 3 day route no warehouse delivery for me
Good info though. Dave your one of the pro's out there my man! Love your videos, your wife is great also! You guys make a good team. Keep the video's coming 😊
Take a warm coat and if there's a lull in the loading, use that time to step outside and warm up. Ask them what the slowdown is and when they might resume loading. Hop in the truck and when the trailer starts bouncing, they're loading again.
I work at a local Kroger store, and part of my job is unloading trucks when they come in. And let me just say, if I had a dollar for every skid that toppled over either in transit, or while I was taking it off the truck, I would be a very rich man. I don't think the guys at our distribution center know or care about loading patterns.
Make sure the the shipper doesn't stick the temp tracker to the wall of the trailer, it needs to be near the center of the load. I had a pre loaded meat load refused because the tracker was on the wall facing the sun for 6 hours so it showed 3 degrees too warm for 4 hours. Luckily the company tracks the refer temp and it showed correct box temp for the entire load. It savedus a $65,000 claim.
I used to unload trailers by hand(Bison Trailers) and I got to a skid of paper products wrapped in plastic ant tied to a corner of a pallet, I got a lift jack and put it under the skid and still have no Idea how it got in the trailer cause it hit the top of the doors and would not come out!! I ended up cutting off the top, pulled out the skid and had to wrap it again after I restacked the skid. I called the night manager and told her the next time The pallet was staying in the trailer I got 3 hours overtime but I would have given it up for a properly loaded trailer.
My dad told me back in the 90’s when he would load produce out of California he would walk around with the thermometer and check the product while they were loading and write down the temp of the product, and said often times the shippers would get so angry with him that they would rip up the paper work when he would note it on the BOL. lol always thought that was very funny
Can you do a video on trucks and jobs as a DZ driver? And also I'm wondering if you have any knowledge of heavy equipment operators is it better than trucking, can you make more money as a truck driver if you have both your CDL and HEO license? Thanks a lot for all the advice you give out love your channel.
Some shippers get mad when you pulp their product because when you stick the probe in several places you are in fact contaminating the product. Produce like apples and pears are a good example. You have to actually pierce to the center of the core to be able to get an accurate temperature. Doing this between several different fruits and vegetables can cause cross-contamination.
Hey I was watching your videos and was wondering how a load of live stock would transport if they were free to move around inside the trailer constantly changing the weight on the axels. Could to do a video for this??
I remember a load for Canyon I loaded at Several California shippers. Strawberries Onions And lettuce. Suicidal load . When I got to Loblaws I looked around the dock to see any green horns. Found a kid got stamped and signed quick . Came back 3 hrs later . They tryed to get me but I had a signed stamped bill of lading. Eventually they unloaded me. I also had a photo copy for the kid. No claim. Empty trailer. Trucker Ian.
Wolf Train, I had forgotten that you worked for Canyon, or if I even knew that at all. I worked there myself for a little while, Sandy gave me a financial education. He and that manager whose name escapes me right now.
I am not a trucker but always loved trucks. I am in commercial HVAC/R. Too bad most people don't know their trade anymore. The few friends who stayed in trucking said the wages and rates had been pushed down so far that the quality of drivers kept going down. Most in this area can't or can barley speak English, how do they get a license? Every refer driver should be educated like this! Food illness is caused by poor food handling.
Being on the dock while loading is all good and great. But most shippers so far haven't let us on the docks. And seeing how it's taking 4 to 14hrs to get loaded I couldnt stand there all day! Dont think I would want to haul produce for myself. I'll let the company take the hit! Really all I can do! Just sign my name as Donald Duck and roll with it!
Id rather be homeless than haul reefers. Biggest pain in the ass, more work for the same amount of money as dryvan basically. More work when fueling, more work at the border, loud ass engine running right beside you when youre trying to sleep etc etc.
Here's the most important thing to remember. If you drive a refer, you'll be treated worse that most dogs in the US. You'll have an arrival time to get loaded but that only means when you must show up not when you get loaded; five hours later, you'll get your paper work. When you arrive at the store, you'll learn that the guy who is supposed to unload you worked late last night and you'll get unloaded when he shows up. The best day of pulling a refer is the last day you do it.
What do you think about drivers that leaves the reefers unattended at truck stops and go park far away from it! I think if you have a reefer deal with it right, nobody wants all that noise next to you. They need to park the tractor opposite from the driver next to you !
4 years in trucking just felt like a new drivers.Got to learn so many new things.Can you plesse do a video on automatic or manual transmission?Looking to buy a truck but confused b/w both of them
what year was this made? we are not allowed to be on the dock or nack there touching anything. if they load it wrong then they load it wrong and its supposed to be somehow our fault? they wont let me inside their building to watch them load. half the time im not allowed to look in before they lock it. maybe canada is different or maybe it used to be different here idk, but we cannot do 60% of this
I did really enjoy it but what made the difference for me was that I worked for an honest produce house and a great buyer. Made all the difference in the world. The produce business can be a dirty one.
@@SmartTrucking It was actually a flatbed carrier, up in Iowa, that I applied to, myself. But I failed the medical exam. Even so, you say on your website that reefer truckers deal w/ a lot of difficult people, which would have been harder for me than all the heavy lifting that flatbed truckers have to do.
Hey there Smart Trucking. I have been taking a CDL Class with a carrier for about a month. On my first CDL Exam, I failed on the Pre Trip inspection portion. I went again today, and successfully completed two of the three backing manuevers. However I failed on the last back; the 90 degree or Alley back. I have one attempt left. Is there any advice you could give me? I'm feeling like I'll never get jt
Nick I hang out the drivers window and watch the rear end of the trailer as it backs and I back up slowly, then pull forward and correct as needed. I've heard some trainers don't want you to hang out the window and just watch the mirrors and if that's the case there you can tell him that's crap, most all professional drivers do that because you can see better that way and that's the object of the game, to get the best view possible of where the trailer is going! Good luck!
This is a lot of work drivers don't get paid for. Plus with this whole virus thing, companies don't let us in the shipping or recieving areas. Although i haft to admit i personally still do the work any way bc i' m gonna have something go wrong on my watch. Plus it does help that i get stop pay. Companies should haft to pay a mandatory minimum of $20 stop pay. Just my opinion.
I did reefer when I first started trucking 27 years ago for a couple years. Got into heavy haul and haven’t looked back. I’m 50 now and have 12 more years to go before I whistle Dixie and call it quits. Good luck to you younger guys. I’m out.
Hey there Big Strappers. Hope you got some value from this video, in case you ever decide to try out the specialized niche of hauling fresh produce. If you get with the right company, it can be quite profitable. Are you with a reefer company now or considering trying your hand at temp controlled freight hauling?
I contract with WalMart hauling meat and produce with a rare frozen, dairy and deli load and rarer dry remix. We pull Tranes, Carriers and ThermoKings triple temp trailers. They are roll up doors (EVERY company should have these). I carry books and code sheets for all 3. We get the trailers pre-loaded, but I still check the sheets. I have had a few times where instead of 40/32/40 it was 40/-20/40 (Dairy and frozen temps) I also run backhauls of eggs or frozen from Walmart suppliers. These guys work by the hour, they aren't in a rush, and normally will not let you on their docks, the eggs due to FDA health requirements. They will put on the bill that you were not on the docks.
All your advice was good. I started hauling garbage in '96 for Covenant. All I can say is PULP THOSE TRAILERS. Fill the trailer every time you fill the tractor, even if it takes 2 gallons. A great habit to get into. If it is hot, try to fuel the reefer before you get to the receiver, you never know when some little Napoleon with a power complex will decide that your load of strawberries aren't as important as the trailer of basil and make you wait 9 hours for their next 'available' dock, or the lumpers will be taking a siesta, or he just doesn't like Kenworths in ~that~ particular shade of blue. (I had it happen in The Port of Newark)
Reefer can be a good choice, but you have to be extremely careful who you do it with. You have a good setup. Dedicated, like with my Walmart contract is also great as long as you can put up with some of the (ahem) associates who work there and the stores that think they are there for your convenience, and you should help them unload. (Last I checked, I was a driver, not a lumper)
As far as leaving the industry, I have got used to sleeping with a reefer behind my head and the sound of my wheels moving when I'm awake. When I retire, I will have to make sure I record both just so I can sleep at night.
I once had my reefer switched off at a truck stop a half mile away from the DC by the driver sleeping in the parking stall next to me. Camera shows him getting out his tractor, walking over to my reefer control box, flipping the switch, getting back into his tractor, and driving off. He was a Walmart dc driver too. It was a load of shredded cheese from Crystal Farms to Walmart. Was a great big claim.
Just landed a job at Erb Transport (I'm newly licensed) so I'm starting in reefer work right off the hop! :) They have an 8-10 week entry level training program which is great too. Unfortunately cuz of Corona HR shut down training till further notice to not put 2 people in the close quarters of the truck. I do officially have the job though so can't wait to get going once HR deems it okay to start up entry training again! Anyways here's to starting my career off right away in reefer work haha! This video series is already super helpful thanks Dave, and couldn't have been timed any better than with my stage of transition! Trying to study up so I have a good set of base knowledge for when I officially start :) Keep on rollin on Dave!
I've watched every video this gentleman has put out, and I think this one contains some of the most highly valuable information out there.
Thank you. That was very helpful for me because I am about to start a career in Reefer trucking. Just received my class A on 12/23/2020 so I am very new to the trucking industry. I will reach out for more information. Thank you again for the great video.👍🏽
I’m a dispatcher and I love watching your videos because your so thorough with explaining everything and very helpful. I take all your videos and try and help all my new and old drivers to try and help them as much as I can. I was a dispatcher for JB HUNT for 8 years and just started my own dispatching company and I learn something new everyday watching your videos. Thank you so much for sharing all your knowledge.
I have a new appreciation for flatbed.
I never would have guessed that some reefer loads need careful, gentle driving. The only time I remember making my load so much as budge was when I accidentally pulled a Tokyo Drift on an onramp into Ohio.
That would be exciting! Hope it ended well!
SMART Trucking, one of my favorite channels. Great info, minus recruiting bs, inflated egos and drama.
Well thank you sir! Nope, no drama here, just not our style! Stay safe and thanks for commenting!
That's the beauty with EU-pallet that we have over here, they are dimensioned to fit perfectly against the walls both if you put them straight in 3 pallets wide or sideways 2 pallets wide, no real chance of the load turning over unless you mix high and low pallets.
When I got my CDL from a fly by night socalled trucking school I learned everything the hard way with no training. These are the things that cost my company money because of them not training or informing me about my job description. I didn't know that I was suppose to put fuel in a refer unit or even know how to use one which caused it to shut off when it ran out of fuel. I noticed when I pulled over I had a long streak of fluid coming out of the trailer which was the actual frozen freight juices that melted in the hot summer Florida weather. I had to take it in to get serviced because apparently it ruined something in the primer unit if I recall. I've been pulled in weigh stations for not knowing how to use them. I've had a ticking noise in my motor that eventually caused the motor to go out in the mountains of Utah. They towed me in with a loaded trailer and said I had no oil in the tractor. I've almost killed myself by not knowing how to come down a mountain in the Winter time. I thought the engine was going to blow out because of the gear I was in I was to scared to touch the breaks because of the snow. I could go on and on with the crazy stories that I have encountered that was due to no training. I really believe that when companies give us a truck to drive without any training should be prosecuted for accidents. 🙏
I agree!
Loved your rant, great story!
When I worked a dock, I always let the drivers know exactly how many pallets and weight of the load then asked them how they would like it loaded, 99% of the time they had no opinion. Also, the majority of the pallets we had could not be loaded sideways because there were no gaps in the sides for the forks to get under. I think most docks are happy to load it however you want if you let them know. They do not drive the trucks or have a CDL, they do not know about your weight and balance issues. They are given a manifest of the pallets to put in your truck and will usually just load all trailers the same if they get no complaints. Many of these docks have high turnover as well so you can often be loaded by a low experienced operator. Don't be shy about letting them know how you want the pallets placed and spaced, it takes all the thinking out of it for them.
As an OTR flatbedder with a little over a year experience, I learned a lot about refer with these vids. It’s a lot more complex than I thought. This guy is great he has a life time of knowledge, and it is very valuable for the rookie truckers to watch. Thanks.
Thank you!
Sometimes we would have a reefer pull in to drop off pallets of 50lb boxed product and the place that loaded them put like a single loose layer of plastic wrap around them. Often at least a few pallets would go over. I hated hand stacking those pallets in the reefer with that floor they have, It was a rolled ankle waiting to happen and some of those reefers had that nasty ass odor in them. But at least they were fun to load in the middle of the summer, our warehouse had no ac, would get very hot and we had to wear sanitary overcoats, it was nice pulling in and out of the reefer and it even helped cool down the dock a little. I liked to sweep out the trailer for the driver if we had any spilled product but that floor made it a bitch to sweep out.
I'm not a CDL driver, but somehow I ended up watching a couple of your videos. Not only do I find them interesting, but it's obvious how much you care about the profession, and how knowledgeable you are! Well done, Sir!
Thank you Gretchen!
I'm glad I waited for this post. The company recruiting me wants to do mixed temperature loads. It's an easy decision because of your opinion & experience. Thank you for taking the time to share. I'll stick with what I'm doing.
I can't wait to go back to hauling reefer. I enjoy the challenges.
Hauling produce is a very time sensitive process, you've got to make sure the temp holds.
Great Information!
This video settles it: I will remain never hauling produce. I ain't getting rich hauling frozen but I ain't getting "claimed" against either.
Hey DAVE, this is great and very informative channel. I just stumbled upon it 3 days ago and it keeps my stay at home (damn coronavirus)fun. I am looking to get into industry and already getting a big pic what i might get into. Big thanks
Also being deaf i am expecting some challenges along the way and yet about to find out if there are any deaf truckers OTR. Till then everyone stay healthy.cheers
Hey Roman, since your last post I've been thinking about being deaf and running the interstate and I don't see why not! I wondered how it would be to drive without the sounds of the engine to guide you but I would think that paying close attention to the gauges would work just as well. Trucking is full of challenges and it's good to know that you're not obviously not afraid of those! Good luck and please keep me posted!
@@SmartTrucking Thanks Dave, I am planning to go with Swift to gain some experience. Classes will start around June so until then I LL be drilling for more information trough you awesome channel...stay healhy
i pulled reefer under my own authority for years,could you mention a few tools that make your life easier like a reefer fuel cap with a tire valve in it for when you run out of fuel(cause you will) or a roll of 8 gauge wire for alternator failure.thanks again for your great vids
Good point on the quick tools ! I will bring those up next chance I get!
one thing I can say thank you all you truck drivers out there still doing your job and I still have respect for you from the X truck driver
Dave that was by far the most informative trucking video I have ever seen. Been hauling frozen 15 yrs and fresh produce last 10. Except for being taught originally by my father no one is teaching drivers these things. Only hauled for 5-6 companies in that time but no one I know is teaching guys these things....it's a mostly learn as you go process.....
I'm just trying to help new guys so they don't learn the hard way by getting a claim. Some of those coolers and warehouses can be bastards, as I'm sure you know!
@@SmartTrucking yes I understand and appreciate your efforts I don't think I took your videos seriously at first , because there is so much bullshit out there from people that don't know what they are talking about. So for all you new drivers and young men in trucking if you scan the comments as I do. Listen to Dave he not only means well ,but he really does know what he is talking about ....take care everyone in these tough times.
Creamery here in New England that Land O Lakes bought, started not letting drivers onto the dock, started having loading and unloading problems so us local drivers founds ways to wiggle our way onto the dock, FedEx padlocks his trailer and won't let anyone have the key, Dui Pyle says he needs to organize freight, I just tell them my company only wants the driver opening the trailer door.
I used to Hall produce years back I was always up and down in California now we brought it back to Ohio and different places on the East Coast
Reefer walls, we called them bunker doors, must seal properly. If you have frozen in the nose of the trailer and more sensitive product behind, it can freeze, even if the door seals tight. I hauled mixed loads quite often and occasionally there was a problem.
Like you said check your temps. Our loads were ready when we were dispatched. The supervisor was responsible to start the reefer, sometimes they wouldn’t start the rear unit on a duel temperature trailer. I would make the reefer part of my pre-trip inspection. I didn’t want to have to worry about temps and fuel levels. Great advice as always!
Thank you sir!
Good advice Dave. I, myself, hated hauling produce, because it could be so finicky, especially lettuce! But your advice can go a long way to avoiding a claim......
Doesn't help that half the receivers are crooks! I was lucky that way, worked for an honest guy.
I've been running reefer for 7 years now and you're absolutely correct on all of this... I just can't say no to them $7,000 loads out of California..... I may wait out in the field for them to pick and cool but it pays at the end.
Great information ! I've pulled maybe 1/2 dozen reefer loads, cheese & meat. No produce. Recently, my fuel hauling job got really slow, due to this virus thing. Going to work next week doing reefer work.
My question is, on Twitter I'm seeing shippers won't let drivers on the dock now. Can't watch the loading process. What do you recommend in this situation ?
You forgot the story at end again Dave!!! Lol. Love your videos, been at this game 40 yrs and you teach me something with every video!
Don't worry Theodore, I'll make it up to you. The next whole video is a Lettuce King video!
@@SmartTrucking Hey Dave I've heard you say you live in northern Ontario. Thats where my mothers family is from. Shes from Sturgeon Falls, if you know where that is. Still have cousins in the area there. Btw my favorite story of yours is the frozen bread dough story!
I had a frozen load that went to Arizona when it was 126 degrees outside. They wanted me to sit 8 1/2 hours prior to going to the dock and the refer was not able to keep up with the temperature. The best the temperature was running was around 44°. After telling to shipper, they made an exception and got me in and loaded right away.
Dude I would literally go insane if I had to sit and wait 8.5 hours to unload. I haul bulk loads with an end dump trailer, longest I ever waited was 2.5 hours, 95% of the time it takes under 1 hour to unload.
friendlywhiteguy That’s because I was 9 hours early of my appointment time. Nearest Truckstop was an hour away with no shade anyways.
Great information! I'm changing from flatbed to refrigerated. This will come in handy
Definitely do not want to run outta fun. I got tasked to check out a dead refer unit at a drop/hook customer. It would crank, but not start. Fuel tank was full. Turned out someone ran it dry, fueled it up, but never took it to our shop to get restarted. After several calls back and forth to our shop, i figured out how to reprime the fuel system. I was a mechanic in the Army before i switched to driver before i got out, so i have a bit more than basic knowledge, just not the experience on these. It took what seemed like forever to get that refer unit reprimed to were it would start and stay running.
Almost 15 minutes of top-notch reefer instruction and no Lettuce King story? Tell me it's not so!
I'll cut you some slack, Dave, I'm sure it just slipped your mind. Thanks for the good instruction.
Keith-
I know, I thought the same thing, no Lettuce King Story? Say it isn’t so! 🤣
Not to worry Keith, Im going to make it up to you in the next video!
there is also another reason for chimney blocking and loading side way, you can get 26 pallets when you put them straight, 28 pallets when you chimney block and 30 pallets when you put them side ways
Hey there. Just starting driving under my own authority here in Ontario Canada. I want to get into reefer hauling. I noticed you had a thermometer in your hands. What is the type is it and are they easy to find? When checking load temps, are you simply checking the temp inside each box or just the top boxes? Thank you and love your vids. Very helpful.
Reasons why I loved flatbeds.😂😂
❤🤙
I agree with your loading techniques. However, I am finding in recent years that we are not allowed to be on the dock during loading or unloading in many cases. The company's safety reasons and that does make sense you don't want somebody getting run over by a forklift. Some dark shippers will be conscious enough to ask you how you would like it loaded even though you're not allowed to stand on the dock and watch. However I've run into situations where pretty much all control has been taken away and all you get to see is what's in the back of the trailer when you put Logistics bars or stops across the back. Picking up preloaded trailers that are already sealed and it's 2:00 in the morning is probably the worst scenario because you don't really know how that trailer was loaded until you get to the other end. All your info was good though and I would tell the new drivers to listen to what you have to say keep it safe people.
What? No Lettuce King Story?? There has to be one in there somewhere! 🤣 Great expert advice, Dave, and all so very true. Securement and temperature monitoring are key to hauling produce. I had to do a few multi temp loads before. You’re right, those bulkheads are a pain in the ass! I hauled a few broccoli loads out of Yuma, AZ and yes, they ice those puppies down! Wish you were around to advise me back then. I would’ve loved to have run with you back in those days, we would’ve had a great time together! Who knows, we may have even crossed paths before back in those days!
Could well be, and I guess I owe everybody a Lettuce King story! How about a whole video story to make up for it?
Smart Trucking yes please! 👍
THE ENERGY IS REAL!!! AMEN
Great video, I will share this video with some driver friends of mine!!
The company I work for now loads floor stacked with lots of load locks in a tri temp trailer, I'd seen it before and thought "what the hell is this mess" after a few day doing I don't ever want to see a pallet again i absolutely love it lol, I do hand and 2 wheeler unloading on a 3 day route no warehouse delivery for me
Good info though. Dave your one of the pro's out there my man! Love your videos, your wife is great also! You guys make a good team. Keep the video's coming 😊
What if they take 6+ hrs to get loaded, do u stand inside the cold warehouse and wait on each pallet to check its temp?
Take a warm coat and if there's a lull in the loading, use that time to step outside and warm up. Ask them what the slowdown is and when they might resume loading. Hop in the truck and when the trailer starts bouncing, they're loading again.
Thank you for explaining this
I work at a local Kroger store, and part of my job is unloading trucks when they come in. And let me just say, if I had a dollar for every skid that toppled over either in transit, or while I was taking it off the truck, I would be a very rich man. I don't think the guys at our distribution center know or care about loading patterns.
Thank you for your videos sir ! Great job ! I appreciate your service . 👍
Make sure the the shipper doesn't stick the temp tracker to the wall of the trailer, it needs to be near the center of the load.
I had a pre loaded meat load refused because the tracker was on the wall facing the sun for 6 hours so it showed 3 degrees too warm for 4 hours. Luckily the company tracks the refer temp and it showed correct box temp for the entire load. It savedus a $65,000 claim.
I used to unload trailers by hand(Bison Trailers) and I got to a skid of paper products wrapped in plastic ant tied to a corner of a pallet, I got a lift jack and put it under the skid and still have no Idea how it got in the trailer cause it hit the top of the doors and would not come out!! I ended up cutting off the top, pulled out the skid and had to wrap it again after I restacked the skid. I called the night manager and told her the next time The pallet was staying in the trailer I got 3 hours overtime but I would have given it up for a properly loaded trailer.
My dad told me back in the 90’s when he would load produce out of California he would walk around with the thermometer and check the product while they were loading and write down the temp of the product, and said often times the shippers would get so angry with him that they would rip up the paper work when he would note it on the BOL. lol always thought that was very funny
Oh, those coolers would try to pull fast ones on the drivers!
Iv always used single double single double all the way back. Never fails
Thank you great information !!!
Can you do a video on trucks and jobs as a DZ driver? And also I'm wondering if you have any knowledge of heavy equipment operators is it better than trucking, can you make more money as a truck driver if you have both your CDL and HEO license? Thanks a lot for all the advice you give out love your channel.
Thanks for watching DW! In my opinion these days you might be better to go for operating the heavy equipment. Better pay and better hours.
Some shippers get mad when you pulp their product because when you stick the probe in several places you are in fact contaminating the product. Produce like apples and pears are a good example. You have to actually pierce to the center of the core to be able to get an accurate temperature. Doing this between several different fruits and vegetables can cause cross-contamination.
Never ran into that.
As always your videos are on point !
Thanks!
What about hauling for grocery store chains where they have all types of produce mixed up on each skid??
Just a reminder to run on CONTINUAL RUN NOT CYCLE. ALWAYS ASK WHAT TEMP? 43 YRS PRODUCE HAULING
GOOD LUCK
That's right, good point!!
Reefer madness
Hey I was watching your videos and was wondering how a load of live stock would transport if they were free to move around inside the trailer constantly changing the weight on the axels. Could to do a video for this??
I remember a load for Canyon I loaded at Several California shippers.
Strawberries
Onions
And lettuce.
Suicidal load .
When I got to Loblaws I looked around the dock to see any green horns. Found a kid got stamped and signed quick .
Came back 3 hrs later . They tryed to get me but I had a signed stamped bill of lading. Eventually they unloaded me. I also had a photo copy for the kid.
No claim. Empty trailer.
Trucker Ian.
Wolf Train, I had forgotten that you worked for Canyon, or if I even knew that at all. I worked there myself for a little while, Sandy gave me a financial education. He and that manager whose name escapes me right now.
@@SmartTrucking
You might know an old friend of mine Dan Donnelly . He was at canyon too.
I was also at Canyon for awhile. None of those loads were planned for raiders either, especially the apple and pear loads. Lol
The lettuce king knows this best.
Software engineer here.... very interesting to get a window into the depth and complexity of other people's professions.
If you put them side ways can cold air still get to the produce,
I am not a trucker but always loved trucks. I am in commercial HVAC/R. Too bad most people don't know their trade anymore. The few friends who stayed in trucking said the wages and rates had been pushed down so far that the quality of drivers kept going down. Most in this area can't or can barley speak English, how do they get a license? Every refer driver should be educated like this! Food illness is caused by poor food handling.
Thanks Dave good video. Hope you are okay with all this virus stuff going on!!!
We're good here Mike, thanks for asking! Hope the same is the case with you and yours!
like on 0:04 second for video, because I know for sure it worth to watch
Great advise Dave. Produce hauling needs experienced Truck Drivers. Not Steering Wheel holders!!
You're so right! Mistakes are expensive and they always blame the driver!
Being on the dock while loading is all good and great. But most shippers so far haven't let us on the docks. And seeing how it's taking 4 to 14hrs to get loaded I couldnt stand there all day! Dont think I would want to haul produce for myself. I'll let the company take the hit! Really all I can do! Just sign my name as Donald Duck and roll with it!
Yup!
Reefer power iam sure tipping the lettuce is gonna tee off the lettuce king cant hurt his subordinates😂😁😂
Long Live the Lattice (lettuce) King 🤴
Id rather be homeless than haul reefers. Biggest pain in the ass, more work for the same amount of money as dryvan basically. More work when fueling, more work at the border, loud ass engine running right beside you when youre trying to sleep etc etc.
These reefer tips are very useful, also what's your thoughts on Wabash trailers?
In my humble opinion, Wabash makes a middle of the road trailer. Not great, but not too bad. My choice was always Great Dane.
wabash is trash great dane or utility
How about a Story Time With Dave video ?
Here's the most important thing to remember. If you drive a refer, you'll be treated worse that most dogs in the US. You'll have an arrival time to get loaded but that only means when you must show up not when you get loaded; five hours later, you'll get your paper work. When you arrive at the store, you'll learn that the guy who is supposed to unload you worked late last night and you'll get unloaded when he shows up. The best day of pulling a refer is the last day you do it.
What do you think about drivers that leaves the reefers unattended at truck stops and go park far away from it! I think if you have a reefer deal with it right, nobody wants all that noise next to you.
They need to park the tractor opposite from the driver next to you !
Never had any problems hauling produce, Hauling beer is another story.
4 years in trucking just felt like a new drivers.Got to learn so many new things.Can you plesse do a video on automatic or manual transmission?Looking to buy a truck but confused b/w both of them
The new automatic s are nice stay away from the old one's !!! 3 years or new
How many load locks should a reefer driver carry with them?
Good question! I liked to carry 6 anyway, 8's even better!
Thanks for the reply. Much appreciated driver.
One single double single double back
what year was this made? we are not allowed to be on the dock or nack there touching anything. if they load it wrong then they load it wrong and its supposed to be somehow our fault? they wont let me inside their building to watch them load. half the time im not allowed to look in before they lock it. maybe canada is different or maybe it used to be different here idk, but we cannot do 60% of this
Hi，could you put subtitles on your video?thanks!
Many shippers now do not allow the driver on the dock. (before the virus )
Be sure to mark that on all copies of the bills!
Um well good luck they dont let you load trailers in the usa. Unless you work for an LTL company example Conway or now known as xpo.
I didn't say the driver loaded them, I said the driver should supervise the loading.
This will be great when I start hauling produce.
You really enjoyed reefer trucking, despite what you said about it on your website?
I did really enjoy it but what made the difference for me was that I worked for an honest produce house and a great buyer. Made all the difference in the world. The produce business can be a dirty one.
@@SmartTrucking It was actually a flatbed carrier, up in Iowa, that I applied to, myself. But I failed the medical exam. Even so, you say on your website that reefer truckers deal w/ a lot of difficult people, which would have been harder for me than all the heavy lifting that flatbed truckers have to do.
Learn how to delete error codes. Sometimes they pop up for no reason and the machine won't start.
Hey Dave how's it going? I'm unloading in Leominster MA. Hope you ain't sick
No Craig, we're good here, thanks! Hope you're well too!
Yo Bro
just when you think tarpin is a pain in the ass, be thankful you ain't running a reefer
What happened to story time at the end of the video.
Don't worry, the whole next video involves the Lettuce King and a story about him as well!
Hey there Smart Trucking. I have been taking a CDL Class with a carrier for about a month. On my first CDL Exam, I failed on the Pre Trip inspection portion. I went again today, and successfully completed two of the three backing manuevers. However I failed on the last back; the 90 degree or Alley back. I have one attempt left. Is there any advice you could give me? I'm feeling like I'll never get jt
Nick I hang out the drivers window and watch the rear end of the trailer as it backs and I back up slowly, then pull forward and correct as needed. I've heard some trainers don't want you to hang out the window and just watch the mirrors and if that's the case there you can tell him that's crap, most all professional drivers do that because you can see better that way and that's the object of the game, to get the best view possible of where the trailer is going! Good luck!
Appoinment times dont mean anything even if your company charges detension!! Sucks when your driving a day cab as well.... Food sucks!!
Hey let’s get a good oilfield trucking video there’s thousands of us, I feel like you feel we’re not worthy
This is why i prefer Flatbeds
This is a lot of work drivers don't get paid for. Plus with this whole virus thing, companies don't let us in the shipping or recieving areas. Although i haft to admit i personally still do the work any way bc i' m gonna have something go wrong on my watch. Plus it does help that i get stop pay. Companies should haft to pay a mandatory minimum of $20 stop pay. Just my opinion.
I did reefer when I first started trucking 27 years ago for a couple years. Got into heavy haul and haven’t looked back. I’m 50 now and have 12 more years to go before I whistle Dixie and call it quits. Good luck to you younger guys. I’m out.
what to know about reefers..never do it you will be scammed and abused by crooks from start to finish..
There are a lot of crooks in the business for sure! I was lucky enough to work for an honest produce house.
@@SmartTrucking tell em about the pallet game sometime..
Number 5) don't be the lettuce king
Many have tried, none have succeeded!
I have to show my company's brokers. Sometimes we need a pro on RUclips to show we are humans.
Thanks Manuel! Take care!
DON'T!