One thing that has made this job more challenging is that we now have split rear axles instead if fixed rear axles. This means we can carry more weight on our back end. If we are spread 10 feet apart ( which is the widest you can go) we can carry 20,000 lbs on each axle. At an 8 foot spread, 18,750 lbs, and at 6 feet, 16,000 lbs. The splits allow us to carry more freight, but it also changes our turning radius. We had to learn how to back the trailer differently. No longer can we make tight turns and backing into a tight dock is definitely a bigger challenge than before.
Our reefer unit has two separate motors. This way we can set the front of the trailer to -20 to keep things frozen, then we place a bulkhead in-between the two compartments and set the back unit to about 35. This way we can deliver frozen and chilled product off of the same loaded trailer. We can keep track of both units from the drivers seat side window. There are lights on the panel that tell us what is going on with both reefer units at all times.
We now know how to properly load a trailer with different types of freight. We have to be aware of how much weight we are carrying and how it is distributed in the trailer. As a driver, this is our responsibility to make sure we are loaded correctly and that all if our weights are legal before we hit the Interstate.
Gone are the days of hooking up a loaded trailer, driving 2600+ miles and dropping it in a yard and moving on to the next load, which don't get me wrong, somedays I miss that. But this job is different every week and always a challenge!
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