The Video From The Cab
In his most recent podcast, Dave Carter described his new truck in great and humorous detail. But that wasn't enough for me and his legions of fans -- we wanted to see it. So for weeks, I've been bugging Dave to use that fancy phone of his to give us a video tour (as if he doesn't have anything better to do). Yesterday the video finally appeared along with this note from Dave:
"After no less than 10 minutes of careful analysis, I've concluded that the person who first coined the phrase, "A picture is worth a thousand words," was just trying to weasel out of a writing assignment. But I'm not above adding to his evasions by saying that a video must be worth at least three thousand more words. So please consider the following video tour of my new truck as a temporary substitute for the more substantial post I have been meaning to write for the last several days. Besides, there are enough people who have expressed interest,….even a touch of occasional envy at the thought being a long haul truck driver, to give me hope that you might find this guided tour of some interest. So c'mon in, won't you? I just dusted the place."
Thanks, Dave. Now the next time you're in Southern California, I want to drive the beast.
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Jul '10
Re: The Video From The Cab
Dear Dave,
On occasion, in slow rolling traffic on hot summer days some Motorcyclists will roll along the side of a trailer for shade. What's Yer opinion on such action?
Signed,
Curious.
Re: The Video From The Cab
Jimmy Carter: Dear Dave,
On occasion, in slow rolling traffic on hot summer days some Motorcyclists will roll along the side of a trailer for shade. What's Yer opinion on such action?
Signed,
Curious. · 43 minutes ago
Dear Curious,
In slow rolling traffic, it's no problem at all. At highway speeds, when tires can blow out sending tread and the vehicle itself all over the place, it makes about as much sense as standing in front of an oncoming train so as to better hear the whistle.
Signed,
Dave
Jun '10
Re: The Video From The Cab
If you come through Utah, I'd like to just in the driver's seat and play with the buttons.
Re: The Video From The Cab
Kids....
Jan '11
Re: The Video From The Cab
Jimmy Carter: Dear Dave,
On occasion, in slow rolling traffic on hot summer days some Motorcyclists will roll along the side of a trailer for shade....
Dear Curious,
In slow rolling traffic, it's no problem at all. At highway speeds, when tires can blow out sending tread and the vehicle itself all over the place, it makes about as much sense as standing in front of an oncoming train so as to better hear the whistle.
Dave, I share the fascination with your profession that is evident in others' comments here: it's the cowboy in us. I wonder whether you might advise us more broadly on the subject of road manners, a.k.a. self defense. What sorts of things do truckers especially appreciate in "civilian drivers"? What sorts of things do they particularly loathe? For example, when passed by a semi, especially on a two-lane highway, I like to flash my headlights to indicate that it is safe for the trucker to re-enter my lane. Are there other such things we might do? Are there things we really should avoid, like pulling onto a highway at street speed in front of a barreling 18-wheeler?
Oct '11
Re: The Video From The Cab
Dave Carter
Is Shell Beach accessible by big rigs? That's the number one problem I encounter when trying to visit various places. · Apr 7 at 2:20pm
Not too much but room much has been rebuilt since katrina, though it is very hard down Yclosky highway, sorry didn't think about that...
Re: The Video From The Cab
nick
Dave, I share the fascination with your profession that is evident in others' comments here: it's the cowboy in us. I wonder whether you might advise us more broadly on the subject of road manners, a.k.a. self defense. What sorts of things do truckers especially appreciate in "civilian drivers"? What sorts of things do they particularly loathe? ...
Now there's an interesting question, and thank you for asking. Here's what we appreciate:
1. People who let us move over a when we signal that we need to do so.
2. People who signal that it is safe for us to move over by flashing their lights at us (takes the guess work out).
3. People who pass us and keep right on going, rather then getting in front of us and slowing down.
4. People who don't tailgate.
5. People who don't ride along side of us for miles as if auditioning for the Blue Angels.
6. People who give us and everyone else some extra space to maneuver safely.
7. People who aren't texting.
What do we loathe? Pretty much the opposite of the above list. (Cont.)
Re: The Video From The Cab
(Cont. from above)
Trucker's Pet Peeves:
1. People who refuse to let us move over a lane. We don't change lanes for fun. It's actually pretty harrowing sometimes, so we try to minimize it. However, when emergency personnel, or even a regular motorist is stopped on the shoulder, it's the law in most states and wise in all states for us to move over and give these people room. Our vehicles are much wider. But cars can't see what's ahead, and so they see no reason to allow us to move over. It becomes very dangerous, and for what? Convenience?
2. People subconsciously tend to speed up when they are being passed, so that I'll gain on a vehicle for a mile or more,..and then when I go to pass them, they speed up. My vehicle is governed, so I can only go so fast before I have to get behind them again ...at which point they slow down. I've traced many a family tree that way.
3. Tailgating a big rig. It doesn't endanger me any,..but it sure could ruin the day for the motorist behind me.
Jan '11
Re: The Video From The Cab
Dave, once, long ago, I was riding in a pickup, driven by an old and wise man. We had just descended a long hill on a two-lane highway, and he was preparing to make a left turn onto a country road. There was oncoming traffic. To my surprise, he pulled onto the right shoulder and stopped. It wasn't until the semi, several car-lengths behind us, roared by, hooting its gratitude, that I understood what he had done. It was as much prudence as it was good manners. I never forgot that.
Love your posts, in part because they are about the real world.