Need Advice about Load Shift Issue

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by pguin89, May 4, 2018.

  1. pguin89

    pguin89 Bobtail Member

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    I drive the 80E and 880S in CA and my boss is trying to blame me for load shift even though I secure the aft with load bars and straps...they always load it staggered and there are spaces on either side of cargo. When I arrive it is slanted and pallets look like leaning tower of piza. I drive 55mph and 15mph or less on curves or 1/2 the ramp speed whichever is less. What should I do? I'm union so not worried about getting fired but trying to figure out how I can explain that this is not my fault and it is because road is damaged. A few other drivers have had similar issue but not as often as I have but I cant help if I get a crazy loaded trailer...
     
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  3. STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    Without knowing what this product is and how it actually looks when it leaves the shipper, not much we can offer except to take pictures before closing the door.

    Some crap is just not going to travel well if it not properly stacked and wrapped and loaded.
     
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  4. jammer910Z

    jammer910Z Road Train Member

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    Did u pick a loaded and sealed trailer?

    Are they pallets staggered, or low lying freight, such as steel bars?

    Steel bars, or freight as such can easily vibrate/bounce.
    It should be braced with dunnage or at least with skid paper.

    If YOU loaded it, take extra care liading from now on because you know you have an issue.
     
  5. KillingTime

    KillingTime Road Train Member

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    :cheers:
     
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  6. RET423

    RET423 Medium Load Member

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    If your load shifted you are at fault.

    If you left with a load so poorly loaded that it could not be secured, you are at fault.

    That is just trucking, the only person who makes the decision to put that truck in gear and enter the roadway is the driver, you said you are Union so can't be fired; why didn't you refuse to leave the shipper until the load was positioned right enough to secure?

    Your boss is right, learn how to tie a load down and make the forklift operator load it the way YOU WANT; it makes no difference how he wants to do it or when he thinks it is "good enough".

    I drive these same freeways every day, please learn this job so I will have one less hazard to avoid every day.
     
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  7. pguin89

    pguin89 Bobtail Member

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    It's stuff like 6pk, 12pk, 36pk canned beverages. I usually take picture but they insist it's my driving even though my On-Board Event Recorder is clean. I agree they should be using dunnage to fill the spaces!(Common Sense) but they dont want to spend the extra money on dunnage so I just use load bars and have some ratchet straps for the aft.
     
  8. pguin89

    pguin89 Bobtail Member

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    1. I am not present when loading.
    2. I cant refuse to leave because there's no dunnage; dunnage they dont have.
    3. Cant tie it down 53' dry van and I would have to climb over freight to add more straps inside and risk injury; not worth it.
    4. I could ask the lift operators to reload but they dont have the materials to fill the gaps.

    Finally, I dont appreciate your tone in the message, if you recall this is posted in the experienced sub forum...I've been driving since late 2000's and before that drove in the military.

    Don't assume without knowing the facts. Assumptions are quick exits for lazy minds that like to graze out in the fields without bother.

    I should have stated what kind of trailer and cargo...
     
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  9. pguin89

    pguin89 Bobtail Member

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    The aforementioned suggestions is what I'm going to try and convey and work in to my conversation with my superior thanks.
     
    jammer910Z Thanks this.
  10. RET423

    RET423 Medium Load Member

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    I assumed nothing, you clearly stated that you left with a load that you could not sufficiently secure and you were upset that your boss says that you are at fault.

    You are.

    I have had to dodge loads that busting out of the side of dry vans and toppling off of flatbeds on the 880 where there are no shoulders and 9 ft lanes packed with traffic, there is never a situation where the driver is not at fault for this; if you make the decision to go with an unsecured load it is no more acceptable with a long resume.
     
    Grubby and Ruthless Thank this.
  11. Dave_in_AZ

    Dave_in_AZ Road Train Member

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    Pics or it never happened.
     
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