I went thru the same thing. It's called "bowwing out." They show you these things because they happen. I haul steel coils that weigh 50,000lbs. in a mount style called "sucide." The coil is set to roll thru the back of the sleeper (they say that isn't usually what happens tho), and the headache rack is only rated at 15,000lbs. Thee are, of course, many other dangers to different loads.
Unless they were just way off base, the meaning of telling you horror stories was simply because they exist, and to prepare you for what you are getting ready to deal with. Most importantly to emphisize the need for proper and safe securement. No matter how many hours you waited for the load, no matter how tire you are, it MUST be secured properly....or you can get the pictures you saw.
It's o.k. to "bow out." If it doesn't seem like something you want to do, then it's better to realize it in the beginning then later on. But I think it's something you can do if you wanted to. God Bless. Hope this helps.
Mav Driver
Jun 20, 2008 Rating
A trucker's life and becoming a big truck driver by: The Crazy Trucker
Fear not. Yes becoming a driver is dangerous but so is walking out of a club on a Friday nite. Can you do something less dangerous than driving a truck? Sure but will you always say to yourself what if . . .
Please watch the video on the very first page of this website. The danger of becoming a driver is increased or decrease by your defensive driving skills.
Don't be intimidated man. When I first jump in one, I admit, I said looked out over the hood and i was like what the. . no one should be driving this around on the highway and especially not in the city. After 3 weeks in the class, I was showing off.
On the real, just do it, it's natural to feel a little intimidated at first. Once you get in there and drive a few times and watch some of the other goof balls do it(i was a real goof ball, you should have been there), you'll get more confident and relaxed.
It's like the first time you jumped on a bicycle, at first you was reluctant next thing you know your poppin wheelies without thinking about falling. You will be fine. Just do it.
