wreckerman893
Possum Connoisseur
- 15,621
- 2,025
- 113
- Location
- Akenback acres near Gadsden, AL
Welcome to the Green Iron Laughing Academy.
I'm going to talk to you just like you were one of my young Soldiers when I was in the Army. Don't take this personally but as sage advice from someone who has been there.
I have been, at various times, a military truck driver, Drivers Licence Examiner and Road Tester. I have also had to be on several fatal accident review boards and had to testify at the Court Martial of a Soldier that was involved in a fatal accident. It did not go well for him and he went to jail for negligent homicide.
I was also an over the road truck driver for many years and still have my CDL.
These trucks are very good for what they were built for. That is carrying various cargo across all types of terrain and on public roads while being operated by often careless and immature soldiers.
They are not toys and will kill you (or somebody else) so quick you won't even know it.
They do not make good daily drivers although there are a few folks on here that do because they are willing to do the required upkeep on them.
They are unique vehicles in several different ways. They handle different and are uncomfortable to drive depending on the weather.
They get lousy fuel mileage and the heater/defroster is minimally effective at best. The mirrors are not heated and when they fog over you are flying blind. Don't get me stated on the windshield wipers and leaking seals around the windows.
They are slow and have longer braking distances than similar commercial vehicles. Other drivers get impatient around them and do stupid stuff.
Your main issue is going to be insurance. Most Commercial Driving jobs require that you be at least 21 and some go up to 23.
If I remember correctly the companies that issue antique and historical policies require at least 21 to prevent immature drivers from operating these vehicles.
If you manage to circumvent the system and have an accident the insurance company has more lawyers than you do and will gut you like a fish.
The other guy will hire a trial lawyer that specializes in "big rig" accidents and when your insurance company doesn't pay they will go after whoever has the most assets.
You have posted in other threads and I admire the fact that you want to be a part of this amazing hobby. I'm going to echo the advice that someone else gave you on one of those threads. Get a smaller military vehicle to cut your teeth on. Get in with the guys in your area and get to know the big trucks before you take a leap that might end up costing you a ton of money or worse.
Just my advice for what it is worth.
I'm going to talk to you just like you were one of my young Soldiers when I was in the Army. Don't take this personally but as sage advice from someone who has been there.
I have been, at various times, a military truck driver, Drivers Licence Examiner and Road Tester. I have also had to be on several fatal accident review boards and had to testify at the Court Martial of a Soldier that was involved in a fatal accident. It did not go well for him and he went to jail for negligent homicide.
I was also an over the road truck driver for many years and still have my CDL.
These trucks are very good for what they were built for. That is carrying various cargo across all types of terrain and on public roads while being operated by often careless and immature soldiers.
They are not toys and will kill you (or somebody else) so quick you won't even know it.
They do not make good daily drivers although there are a few folks on here that do because they are willing to do the required upkeep on them.
They are unique vehicles in several different ways. They handle different and are uncomfortable to drive depending on the weather.
They get lousy fuel mileage and the heater/defroster is minimally effective at best. The mirrors are not heated and when they fog over you are flying blind. Don't get me stated on the windshield wipers and leaking seals around the windows.
They are slow and have longer braking distances than similar commercial vehicles. Other drivers get impatient around them and do stupid stuff.
Your main issue is going to be insurance. Most Commercial Driving jobs require that you be at least 21 and some go up to 23.
If I remember correctly the companies that issue antique and historical policies require at least 21 to prevent immature drivers from operating these vehicles.
If you manage to circumvent the system and have an accident the insurance company has more lawyers than you do and will gut you like a fish.
The other guy will hire a trial lawyer that specializes in "big rig" accidents and when your insurance company doesn't pay they will go after whoever has the most assets.
You have posted in other threads and I admire the fact that you want to be a part of this amazing hobby. I'm going to echo the advice that someone else gave you on one of those threads. Get a smaller military vehicle to cut your teeth on. Get in with the guys in your area and get to know the big trucks before you take a leap that might end up costing you a ton of money or worse.
Just my advice for what it is worth.