OK, I've got to reply to some of the psots I've read on this thread since my post.
1. To TN2IC, your pet peeve about drivers slowing down before the 'off-ramp'. I have driven tractor trailer now for a little over 12 years. For the last 5, it's been fuel tankers. The last thing I'm going to do is throw 140,000 pounds of steel, aluminum and gasoline into a 30km/h corner from 100 in less than 200 meters. I want some brakes left at the end of the curve and the rubber still on the road.
2. CTD, You were commenting on a road move in Washington State. To be honest, those crazy hillbillies won't even slow down when the white stuff flies. So don't let their comments worry you. At least it ain't your name on the citation when smokey pulls him over at the bottom of the hill.
3. To all you that have pulled a gun on public roads, or for that matter, anything with an overhang. Regardless of what policy is, I'm hanging a red flag off the end. It'll be a lot easier to explain that to your CO than to fill out the paperwork and to clean up dead civvie off the barrel
4. BYT, when backing, longer is better. Move the bogies all the way to the back of the trailer and back it like it was meant to be backed. The farther forward the axles, the more it will beavertail on you. Very very bad. Try backing a truck and pup fuel tanker combo, now thats a trick. It's basically an A-Train configuration.
I'm not rying to be a smartass here. My blood is as green as the rest of yours. I'm giving you some insight from a trucker with a great many miles under his belt here on the westcoast. If you're nervous behind the wheel,,,practice practice practice. Nothing breaks the fear faster than miles behind you. If you aren't comfortable behind the wheel,,,get out. You WILL hit something.
Best advice from my MT Sgt,,,,,,"Drive it like you stole it"