Need some advice about driving to NY

[Quazymodo]

I need some advice from the vets about hauling through and around the East Coast and NY in particular. A company wants to hire me but I will be doing run to NY, the island and the buros. I here driving there can be a nightmare. Any advice or stories.

[fr8muver]

All I can offer is to know where your going ahead of time . Make sure you have proper directions and the customers phone number if at all possible. Also read your map book carefully to know witch way all the interstates run and witch bridges take you where. After a few trips there you will have the hang of it and it won't be that bad. If you can do it try and plan to get there at off peak traffic times. Good luck and don't worry it's not as bad as people make it sound.

[pro1driver]

Originally Posted by Quazymodo

I need some advice from the vets about hauling through and around the East Coast and NY in particular. A company wants to hire me but I will be doing run to NY, the island and the buros. I here driving there can be a nightmare. Any advice or stories.

i HAVE BEEN through NYC and the surrounding Boro's...........

believe me, i'd rather be driving there than say Miami..............

you should have the phone numbers of the customers at hand, call then for directions. you would be pleasantly surprised at how they DO HELP YOU, as they want thier product. i would highly suggest getting street maps specific to each Boro. you can usually find these on the New Jersey turnpike as you travel north, stopping at the travel plaza's. these books are not too expensive, and you save the recipts for tax time, as an expense of the job. HOWEVER BE FOREWARNED they may or MAY NOT inform you of low clearances......!!!

safety still rules, so don't mention to anyone EXACTLY what type of cargo you have on board.

you can ask for directions from other truck drivers, they will help you, but again, NEVER tell anyone your cargo.

safety rules apply with keeping your trailer doors locked at all times, even when empty.

safety rules apply in keeping the cab doors locked as well.

DO NOT BELIEVE the stories of "some guys uncle or whatever", making a delivery in NYC, being stopped at a light, and someone hanging on the rear of the trailer throwing things out the back door.

watch for traffic LIKE ANY OTHER CITY you would drive through..........

watch ALL YOUR SIGNS..........which many of them are way on top of the poles....

most of all, relax, but always "be prepared" for anything.......

LIKE ANY OTHER CITY........!!!

[Boats]

Important! Remember no big trucks on any parkways in NY.

[geargrinder]

find another company that does no nyc, avoid it at all cost espicialy the bronkx

[JLKKLJ777]

Nyc in general is not as bad as many claim. Good advice has been given so far (for the most part).

I would add the following; Slide your trailer tandem all the way forward to help make your turns when in the burroughs (I know it may make your trailer heavy but there is rarely ever any scales to contend with if going into Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Manhattan, or Staten Island.

Be advised (Last I heard anyway) Manhattan has restrictions against 53' trailers.

Be sure you have at least $100.00 cash for bridge tolls in your pocket. If your company has ez-pass on the truck you will not need the cash but you MUST use the ez-pass lanes. If you get in the wrong lane that says cash you will have to pay out of pocket as the ezpass reader is not installed in every lane.

Long Island does have a scale on I495 about half way across and if your going out that far chances are you will not have to worry about seriously tight corners. That said I have rarely seen it open anyway so again I usually do not worry about my weights.

Be careful of pedestrians trying to "flag" you down. A big scam in northern NJ and NYC is the pedestrian will warn you of a low underpass along your route and "offer" to guide you around it for some cash. Do not fall for it and NEVER let these jokers in your cab. Better to ignore them entirely and roll on.

As has been stated be sure to have the customers phone number on hand as well as a "Hands free headset" (required). Call the customer and ask them for specific directions to get there as you have a truck and must avoid low underpasses and parkways.

Be patient with the people you speak to as many will speak poor english and are really trying to help you.

Avoid the parkways (they are not for trucks) and do not be spooked by the yellow signs that say trucks over 12' 6" must exit here. The bridge heights are actually measure from the curb to the underside of the overpass and you will be safe provided you are on the interstates. There is a large white sign just south of the "triborough bridge that says all commercial vehicles must exit. Obey this sign. It will put you on the surface street that runs above and parrallel to the interstate for a few blocks and then puts you back on the interstate.