Class 1 roadtest??

[KennC]

So I have to re-do everything and I was kind of wondering if anyone had any hints about the road test? whats changed over the years? Anything in particular to watch out for? that type of thing.

Thanks

[WannaDrive]

I don't know if Alberta is different, but here in Ontario you have to know your stuff. Be prepared to do your air brake testing, which includes measurement of allowable push rod stroke and type of brake chamber, as well as air pressure build up times and proper PSI's. also make sure you know your pretrip inspection to a tee. Point out lights, 4 ways, each individual signal, high beams, check for leaks under the truck. Cracks in the windshield, nothing obstructing the grill. The front of the truck is in overall good condition. Inspections stickers, gas tank straps in good shape. Pin for the hitch is in the fixed position. Underneath the trailer is in good shape. Tires in good shape. Licence plate lights are working. Air brake hoses arent hanging lower than 18" off the ground for the trailer brakes. Trailer brakes, lights signals, documentation all in good shape and there. Also make sure when you do your drop and hook that you back up to the trailer and plug in your lightbar before you hook onto the trailer. All this pretrip and airbrake stuff is the hard part. Before you take off you have to show that you have all the proper insurance, CVOR etc and show that all your cab lights, winshield washer/wiper and defroster are working, as well as show that your windows roll up and down as emergency exits. Also ask the tester to buckle up before you leave. Also make sure you test all your brakes, E-brake, trailer brake, and foot brake. The driving part is easy, just make sure you double clutch, and get out and look before you do your backing. good luck

[Pipeman]

I don't know if Alberta is different, but here in Ontario you have to know your stuff. Be prepared to do your air brake testing, which includes measurement of allowable push rod stroke and type of brake chamber, as well as air pressure build up times and proper PSI's. also make sure you know your pretrip inspection to a tee. Point out lights, 4 ways, each individual signal, high beams, check for leaks under the truck. Cracks in the windshield, nothing obstructing the grill. The front of the truck is in overall good condition. Inspections stickers, gas tank straps in good shape. Pin for the hitch is in the fixed position. Underneath the trailer is in good shape. Tires in good shape. Licence plate lights are working. Air brake hoses arent hanging lower than 18" off the ground for the trailer brakes. Trailer brakes, lights signals, documentation all in good shape and there. Also make sure when you do your drop and hook that you back up to the trailer and plug in your lightbar before you hook onto the trailer. All this pretrip and airbrake stuff is the hard part. Before you take off you have to show that you have all the proper insurance, CVOR etc and show that all your cab lights, winshield washer/wiper and defroster are working, as well as show that your windows roll up and down as emergency exits. Also ask the tester to buckle up before you leave. Also make sure you test all your brakes, E-brake, trailer brake, and foot brake. The driving part is easy, just make sure you double clutch, and get out and look before you do your backing. good luck

Nothing obstructing the grill? How about a winter front and moose guard bumper and rad protector?

[WannaDrive]

Nothing obstructing the grill? How about a winter front and moose guard bumper and rad protector?

Just going by what they taught us in school man haha, it was one of the things they told us to say.

[KennC]

I don't know if Alberta is different, but here in Ontario you have to know your stuff. Be prepared to do your air brake testing, which includes measurement of allowable push rod stroke and type of brake chamber, as well as air pressure build up times and proper PSI's. also make sure you know your pretrip inspection to a tee. Point out lights, 4 ways, each individual signal, high beams, check for leaks under the truck. Cracks in the windshield, nothing obstructing the grill. The front of the truck is in overall good condition. Inspections stickers, gas tank straps in good shape. Pin for the hitch is in the fixed position. Underneath the trailer is in good shape. Tires in good shape. Licence plate lights are working. Air brake hoses arent hanging lower than 18" off the ground for the trailer brakes. Trailer brakes, lights signals, documentation all in good shape and there. Also make sure when you do your drop and hook that you back up to the trailer and plug in your lightbar before you hook onto the trailer. All this pretrip and airbrake stuff is the hard part. Before you take off you have to show that you have all the proper insurance, CVOR etc and show that all your cab lights, winshield washer/wiper and defroster are working, as well as show that your windows roll up and down as emergency exits. Also ask the tester to buckle up before you leave. Also make sure you test all your brakes, E-brake, trailer brake, and foot brake. The driving part is easy, just make sure you double clutch, and get out and look before you do your backing. good luck

Hi wannadrive, .. Air brake hoses arent hanging lower than 18" off the ground for the trailer brakes. .. good point!! Air lines are kind of important :)

show that your windows roll up and down as emergency exits .. I wouldn't have thought of that in a 100 years!

Thank you!!

[Pipeman]

Hi wannadrive, .. Air brake hoses arent hanging lower than 18" off the ground for the trailer brakes. .. good point!! Air lines are kind of important :)

show that your windows roll up and down as emergency exits .. I wouldn't have thought of that in a 100 years!

Thank you!!

One hundred years ago, vehicle were lucky to have curtains or else they were all convertibles. lol

[KennC]

One hundred years ago, vehicle were lucky to have curtains or else they were all convertibles. lol

LOL, .. and I had a 1HP 4 hoof drive, one of the old hay burners!!

[hotshoe36]

30 years ago if it had upholstery on the doors it was a fancy truck. And, if it had roll-up windows, it wasn't a real sports car.

Kenn, you haven't told us how long it has been since you tested, or what - if any - your experience was. I don't know about a light bar, but I would make a point of hooking up your air lines and charging the trailer's brake system before picking it onto the 5th wheel. That is an archaic rule in these days of maxi-brakes, but they do watch for it still in BC, I think. Be sure to test your hookup with the trailer brakes before proceeding, and again after a few metres. Also, make your shoulder and mirror checks discernibly under way.

[Mercenary]

Is Ontario a real stickler for double clutching? I only ask because here in BC (in my case anyway) I didn't have to double clutch at all.

Different strokes I guess....

I honestly don't think I could shift by double clutching. It just wasn't the way I was taught.

[SpiritRoad]

I don't know if Alberta is different, but here in Ontario you have to know your stuff. Be prepared to do your air brake testing, which includes measurement of allowable push rod stroke and type of brake chamber, as well as air pressure build up times and proper PSI's. also make sure you know your pretrip inspection to a tee. Point out lights, 4 ways, each individual signal, high beams, check for leaks under the truck. Cracks in the windshield, nothing obstructing the grill. The front of the truck is in overall good condition. Inspections stickers, gas tank straps in good shape. Pin for the hitch is in the fixed position. Underneath the trailer is in good shape. Tires in good shape. Licence plate lights are working. Air brake hoses arent hanging lower than 18" off the ground for the trailer brakes. Trailer brakes, lights signals, documentation all in good shape and there. Also make sure when you do your drop and hook that you back up to the trailer and plug in your lightbar before you hook onto the trailer. All this pretrip and airbrake stuff is the hard part. Before you take off you have to show that you have all the proper insurance, CVOR etc and show that all your cab lights, winshield washer/wiper and defroster are working, as well as show that your windows roll up and down as emergency exits. Also ask the tester to buckle up before you leave. Also make sure you test all your brakes, E-brake, trailer brake, and foot brake. The driving part is easy, just make sure you double clutch, and get out and look before you do your backing. good luck

:idea:

Pretty good, I might add test both horns and point out emergency triangles/flares. Just curious, how much of the 1 hour DriveTest test do they allow for pre-trip ?

Dave

[KennC]

30 years ago if it had upholstery on the doors it was a fancy truck. And, if it had roll-up windows, it wasn't a real sports car.

Kenn, you haven't told us how long it has been since you tested, or what - if any - your experience was. I don't know about a light bar, but I would make a point of hooking up your air lines and charging the trailer's brake system before picking it onto the 5th wheel. That is an archaic rule in these days of maxi-brakes, but they do watch for it still in BC, I think. Be sure to test your hookup with the trailer brakes before proceeding, and again after a few metres. Also, make your shoulder and mirror checks discernibly under way.

Hi Hotshoe, I havn't spent enough time in a full tractor/trailer unit to ever call myself a trucker, but the first truck I ever drove was an old 59 Mack when a friend and I hauled freight from Swift Current to Leader .. everything from farm parts to beer. Spent some time hauling bails where we loaded and unloaded each bail by hand .. from there went to the rigs for awhile and eventually got my Millwright ticket and remained in the oil field. We had 10 fixed equipmet welltesting units built on custom triple axle gooseneck type trailers out of Dallas that were somehwere around 30' long and weighed around 24/26,000lbs. We first started hauling these things with a 3 ton Ford which was rediculously light but eventually picked up an International with full 5th wheel and air and that made a big difference. I was told I had to have a class 1 license to drive that getup, around the late 80's, so I went through the testing then. But all in all I hauled them around and set them up for close to 12 years I guess until I got more involved with downhole. There was a lot of time spent up around Peace River/Red Earth .. so, since then I havn't been in any truck, must be going on 14 years ago now.

[Mercenary]

from there went to the rigs for awhile and eventually got my Millwright ticket and remained in the oil field.

Jeezuz....what is it with Millwrights wanting to become truckers.....

Thats 3 of us now.....

[KennC]

Jeezuz....what is it with Millwrights wanting to become truckers.....

Thats 3 of us now.....

LOL, really! .. but then again, hows your back? I had my operation right around 16 years ago.

[Mercenary]

Heh. You hit the nail on the head there my friend. My back has been a bit sketchy since an injury I received about 12 years ago installing a hydraulic pump.

Every now and again I tweak it and it is agony for a couple of weeks.

[bikerboy]

i think you guys will find trucking does not pay as well as millwrighting.

and alot of the big companies will treat you like a moron who can't fix anything, even tho you are a millwright and should be good at fixing things.

[Mercenary]

BB: Yea I know that trucking will not pay as well as Millwrighting. However wages aren't the end all be all for me. I like to drive and I like trucks so it's natural that I gravitated towards the trucking industry.

You know what they say....'find a job you love to do and it won't feel like work.' As much as I disliked working for Sanjel there were some days that were really spectacular. There was a trip from Grande Prairie to Ft Nelson that I made last year that was pure trucking heaven. Pulled a load of N2 to a lease north of Ft Nelson. Bright sunny day. Ice road that was smooth as glass. Pulled on to lease and off loaded in about 45 minutes.....it was all perfect. My last few years as a Millwright didn't have days like that I tell ya.
:Trucker:

[Gummiente]

and alot of the big companies will treat you like a moron who can't fix anything, even tho you are a millwright and should be good at fixing things.
So there's really no difference, then. :D

[buzzy]

Jeezuz....what is it with Millwrights wanting to become truckers.....

Thats 3 of us now.....

You haven't heard? The Human Resources Canada says there is lots of driving jobs available.

They're even willing to pay the $5000 to $8000 to train you so you can stand in the unemployment line behind the 10,000 qualified drivers who have lost their jobs because of the recession.

[Gummiente]

You haven't heard? The Human Resources Canada says there is lots of driving jobs available.

They're even willing to pay the $5000 to $8000 to train you so you can stand in the unemployment line behind the 10,000 qualified drivers who have lost their jobs because of the recession.
At no time did "Human Resources" ever tell me there were lots of driving jobs available. I found out the opposite, in fact, by doing my own research - including lurking on this forum before signing up and asking questions. So I am not looking through rode coloured glasses here and am well aware of the present state of the industry. And while government funding is available - the "Second Career" program in Ontario, for example - it is not just for those wanting to enter the trucking industry; it is there for any qualified worker who wants to train for pretty much any skilled trade. And FYI, in Ontario they recently modified the requirements for qualifying - one of the new rules is that you need to provide proof that there is a demand for the field you want to enter, such as job ads from newspapers or a letter of intent to hire from an employer. A moot point anyway, because the Drive Test workers strike is the reason why they stopped accepting applications for funding any truck driver training back in September.

[KennC]

Heh. You hit the nail on the head there my friend. My back has been a bit sketchy since an injury I received about 12 years ago installing a hydraulic pump.

Every now and again I tweak it and it is agony for a couple of weeks.

Mine has been good ever since the operation, but then again I'm not doing stupid things like grunting fluid ends and crankshafts into the water station over firewalls any more!! But we kind of found out that I screwed mine more by jumping down off the weights guards of pumpjacks while doing service and inspections, .. that and jumping from the deck of the trucks, impact damage they said???

[KennC]

i think you guys will find trucking does not pay as well as millwrighting.

Well that's ok, I enjoyed being on the road most times and saw some amasing country as well. A divorce took my house and I've never gotten another one, the kids are all grown and on their own, my youngest daughter promises to take her cat with her and so that's leaves just me! I just got to thinking I could go driving something again.


.. and alot of the big companies will treat you like a moron who can't fix anything, even tho you are a millwright and should be good at fixing things.

Thank God!! .. :) had a chap on a lease once tell me "nope, I never carry a pipewrentch, if I did somebody would expect me to use it" lol

I was with a Millwright company in GP for a year and they had a saying, "if we can't fix it, it aint broke"

[KennC]

And I just want to thank everyone for their input, I appreciate this a great deal, thank you!!

[Gummiente]

I was with a Millwright company in GP for a year and they had a saying, "if we can't fix it, it aint broke"
That's what we used to say in the Maintenance Shop of the pharmaceutical manufacturing company I worked at a couple years ago. Problem was, some of the production workers seemed to take that as a challenge and would come up with some interesting ways to test our skills. And patience. :mad:

[SpiritRoad]

You haven't heard? The Human Resources Canada says there is lots of driving jobs available.

They're even willing to pay the $5000 to $8000 to train you so you can stand in the unemployment line behind the 10,000 qualified drivers who have lost their jobs because of the recession.

EI actually tried to steer me away from driving in 2008 long before the recession. Screw them. In Hamilton they outsourced their Second Career administration to the John Howard Society. What a freakin' dog and pony show.:bite_me2:

This year I put one of my motorcycles up for sale and figured if it sold I would spring for driver training. It did and I did. It was a pretty bike but I don't really miss it. Much.

I still think it was the best thing for me to do and I am more enthusiastic about driving than ever. Can't see myself doing anything else although if I got called up for an IT job I'd probably take it just for the money. But not once I start driving.

Dave

P.S. HRC says there's lots of IT jobs out there too. Don't get me going....

[Mercenary]

I was with a Millwright company in GP for a year and they had a saying, "if we can't fix it, it aint broke"

Bwahahahahahahahaha!!!

Thats great! Now I have to clean Pepsi off my keyboard and monitor....:rofl2[1]:

[KennC]

This year I put one of my motorcycles up for sale ...

:), same here!! ... :(

[KennC]

Bwahahahahahahahaha!!!

Thats great! Now I have to clean Pepsi off my keyboard and monitor....:rofl2[1]:

LOL, yeah, good saying, but as Gummiente mentioned, it can get you into some stuff!!

[KennC]

Well I took a three hour evaluation run with an instructor today to see where I was at, and as I knew, my shifting needs some work, only hit around 50% of the downshifts smoothly. A little disappointed!! But, I can back up the trailer a full city block and keep the trailer two feet from the curb, so that takes a little of the sting away!

.. he recommends 8-10 hrs with him going over all the pretrips, hooking up and unhooking to the trailer and ... shifting time!! So there's where she is!

Now, anyone want an 82" CB900 .. they say it's a classic bike ;)