With the first good rain of the season having hit this week, I was reminded the day after the storm passed just why you still need to think of the water left behind after the rain is gone. Being that I haul a dry van, I usually keep an eye on things like roof leaks and seeping floor cracks in the hardwood, but one very small thing I overlooked gave me an unwanted bath at one of my receivers! I was reminded quickly of a rookie move that left me all soggy for not paying attention in the process.
With the truck washed after the rains and all things firing away as usual, I was relieved that the first real storm of the winter here didn’t bring with it unexpected complications from all the rain. I was on a load for one of my regular accounts backing into a door, where the policy is to unhook and park in the bobtail area until unloaded, so after I chocked the wheel I continued as usual to drop my landing gear before detaching. Being nice and sunny and a balmy 60 degrees, the previous day’s rain was the last thing on my mind, though it should have been paid more attention to on the front end of my thoughts. As I swung out the landing gear crank from its holster, I was greeted with a slough of water that had been resting within the hollow tube, dousing my jeans and the ground with a good soaking of rust-colored rainwater.
Though this happens every time it rains, with road spray making its way into the landing gear crank handle as I carefully navigate the wet highways, the dry sunny weather the day after had me off guard when I should have been more cautious. Thank goodness I always carry a couple sets of jeans and shirts in my sleeper closet for cases just like this. Kind of reminded me of the time I poked the shade awning on the patio after a storm, only to end up getting soaked from head to toe like I had just fell into a swimming pool. Although my ego was bruised for a second having to walk around while dropping the trailer in the door looking like I had wet my pants, I was reminded of the more important lesson of remembering that water can linger after the storms have passed. Watch out, even days after, for lingering pools and puddles even in the most unexpected of places around and on your equipment!