Does anyone here have experience hauling trusses or roller trailer experiance?

I hauled trusses for a bit when I first started driving. I never rolled them off. I had a forklift on the back of the trailer. My advice is just to pay extra attention to the side that the load hangs over. On narrow roads you might have to stop and wait for oncoming traffic to clear before you proceed. Pay no mind to the ######## blowing their horns at you. As far as hanging off the rear, just flag it. You might even have to rig up some lights if it's hanging off too far. Best or luck.

 

I haven't hauled them but worked in the construction industry a bunch. I doubt you'll see many trusses over 40' or they build them in sections. If anything real long it would be floor trusses for like an apartment complex.

When you dump as soon as they touch the ground don't hesitate from coming out under them to minimize the stress on them. Make sure it's good flat ground. The residential part is a challenge. But the big trusses most likely will be on a commercial project with easy in and out most of the time.

We've had a few custom homes that had the trusses pieced together like a puzzle. For the most part custom homes have stick built roofs. Trusses were mainly for rectangular shaped average sized homes. But commercially they use them a lot because the floor and roof plans aren't that complicated.

I'd say with the snow load up there they are built a lot stouter than they are down here.

I think they might be fudging on the 10 months of work. When it snows construction stops unless they are nuts up there. You wouldn't catch me on an icy wall.

 

I have hauled them recently.IT IS STRESSFUL as the idiots that have the 15' sight radius as they text and fail to merge as they come onto the highway will give you 4 or 5 heart attacks a day. The peak of the truss,which overhangs the trailer on the passenger side by as much as 4',will take extreme concentration by the driver. mailboxes,signs,etc. are always present. hauling trusses will sharpen and enhance your driving ability.

The roller bed trailers are extendable to haul trusses as long as 68' or so here in alabama.it is all permitted obviously.you will learn to navigate back roads and interstates. you are truly stifled/restricted when in motion as you can not simply and/or merely move over and change lanes nor can you instantly stop-the trusses will slide even though they are strapped down.

Go ahead and take the job.the 1 year that you now possess will surge to what translates into 3 or 5 years worth of driving experience.I am being serious.it is a driving job that has no equal in my opinion as everyday is different due to every job site is different.unloading is only slowed by the unstrapping.the rollers lock easily dependent on the age of the trailer obviously,but lock them you must each time.therefore much of the job does indeed become habitual/laborious but it is mandatory for the safe transportation of the trusses. residential deliveries are actually more difficult than the large chicken houses or industrial sites.you can't simply turn around when you miss a road as the load will not permit as much so attentiveness is key.

i think that you'll dig it so best of luck.

 

actually,i have hauled trusses here in 'bama that are 66' long and are one continuous,albeit assembled,piece. anything over 60' here requires an escort vehicle traveling behind while in traffic but takes the lead on the back roads in order to radio,walkie talkie or cb,the oncoming traffic issue or road obstacle as each will present a different challenge to the truss driver.

the 66' ers are trusses for chicken houses that are that wide and 600-700 feet long.that is a whole lot of chicken house-

 

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I got to play with this truss today, but I guess it isn't the regular sort of truss you'd run into

A quick tip for if you do haul any overdimentional trusses: check each state/province for their permits/requirements regarding flagging, lights, pilot cars, signs, curfew, etc. Better safe than sorry!

 

Interesting, my buddy Herb hauled them for years but his truck like all the other truss haulers in my area had a crane on board and he had to set them in place for the framers.
Here's a couple pics from my home being built and the truss hauler.

 

Ya what are the benefits like, if your going to go for lower wages then I would be looking for max benefits.

 

I have been hauling trusses for over 25 years. My advice is to learn the regs for O/O loads within your sales region. If there are other drivers ask questions, ask for easier loads until you get used to it. Do they have a dedicated loader man in the yard? If you're the driver and loader it will take a while until you're proficient and efficient at it. Be prepared for bicycles and pedestrians on the shoulder of the road, you will have to stop quickly to avoid hitting them at times. On narrow roads you will need to give right of way to everyone else on the road. Make sure you know your routes well before leaving the yard. Having the customers # is a great idea so you can call and ask about site conditions before you get there. I do a lot of walking into sites when the roads narrow to see when I'm up against. Much easier than getting stuck and breaking truck, trusses or property. Also don't be afraid to tell the end user that you cant land the trusses where they want them but will try your best to get them as close a possible. Some people want you to put them in some wild spots sometimes. There is tons more to cover, send me a p.m. if you need anymore help.

Kirk