Question:
Hi,
I have been lurking awhile and looking at the archives. Really enjoyed the Fluffy Bunny stories by Fozzy I am glad there is a place for wannabes and newbies to come to and gain some knowledge. Thank you to all that are willing to share your wisdom.
I have not seen this question and it is one and it is important to me..How many pounds are you lifting when you have to unload? Not a wimp or afraid of hard work BUT am a bit concerned the stuff may weigh more than me
Thanks,
I Can

Answer:
Hi ICan, and welcome!
There are too many types of different loads to try and predict the weight of what you would be unloading. Some loads have light cartons and many of them, others you have to use a pallet jack to either unload the pallets, or sometimes break the pallets down as well, (onto other pallets.) Some companies have allowances for lumpers...(unloaders.) It depends on which carrier you choose, and the goods that they haul. Grocery warehouses are a pain in the a**, as are a lot of other places.
I rarely touched freight, but when you have to do it, you have to do it, so be ready for anything.
Answer:
It's not easy to answer but you could possibly be lifting 100 lbs at the extreme
end. Most things heavier than that are handled mechanicly usually.
Bags of Flour,Sugar,Potatoes, Dog Food would be the heavy end example.
Answer:
Thank You for the welcome La Neese..I have seen where you can get a lumper..Not sure what it involves but I'm sure I will learn that
Mike..Thanks for the answer. I am in retail now and can handle some weight but 100 lbs would bring me down! I guess that is where I will have to say " I got a job to do and if there is will there is a way."
I Can

Answer:
Welcome Aboard TruckNET, Neighbor!(I Live in Edmond)
As stated above, most carriers will pay for lumpers.(pay for someone else to unload the trailer for you.)
So, you most likely will NOT have to do much unloading yourself.(and if you do have to unload or assist, it usually won't be more than 90lbs.)
Some freight is feather light & some are cases of canned goods.

Answer:

Yes Sir,but there is "technique"involved also. I know it sounds crazy but
you can learn how to "handle"freight without massive strength.
There is an abundance of small skinny Drivers M/F that do the job.

Answer:
My company requires I be able to lift 75 lbs from the floor to above my head.
I’ve dragged hide-a-beds out and I know they weight more than 75 lbs!
Sometimes you’re on your own. Other times you will work with somebody that will help you unload and then there are lumpers. And times you simply back into the dock and after a little while, they give you your signed papers and you’re on you way.
You can always buy a pickup truck and help friends and family move.
-JHappy Dwellers Society
Company Driver Division

Answer:
Most companies "require" that you be able to lift 75 lbs over your head, or that you are able to safely lower up to 100 lbs from above your head to ground level.
As far as how heavy freight is. That just depends on the load. I have seen cases weigh as little as 1/2 pound and then other pieces weigh a good 50-100 lbs.
If they get heavier than that then they are usually unloaded by fork lift.
As mentioned however, with many companies you can hire lumpers(and the company will pay for them), if they are available. Driver no touch%'s and lumper hiring policies are an improtant thing to ask about when talking to companies.
Answer:
Welcome friend I am a newbie myself and I unload anything and everything for who I drive for, but I am a championship powerlifter, but the one thing I have learned from many smaller drivers is Work smart not Hard don't do more than you have to do, be safe out there and keep your head up high and good luck.

Answer:
You know, I am really GLAD I asked this question..I now think I must either must go the gym or buy somethng that weighs close to 100 lbs. and start training..Geesh, and you are talking to the one who does NOT exercise
Ican

Answer:
My favorite driver unloading story, involved furniture couches all stacked end to end, having unloaded several of these myself I can testify its on the outer limits of what one driver can handle. The story, a fellow driver told was when he was unloading such a trailor pulled first couch down smash right to floor of trailor legs broke off, reciever gets excited driver explains he is not a proffesional lumper, reciever then indicates they will unload trailor. My exp. with these sorts of loads brings me to Allentown PA, they have a crew of about 10 people to unload but they still expect me to push all furniture to rear of trailor, I all but laughed at them, they did enter trailor and assisted. Best advice to a newby is no load is worth getting hurt, so ask for help with anything you can't do yourself, if they refuse call carrier.

Answer:
I currently hauled carpet and other flooring products locally. These loads ARE driver assist because we delivered to alot of mom-pop outfits that do not have docks. It is funny to see the reaction of some receivers have never seen I woman driver hauling carpet before. We carry a 75 foot in the truck to tie off at one end of the carpet and the other end to the bumper of a pickup.
I have also delivered tires which are a piece of cake to get off, you just climb to the top of the stack and knock it over, then roll the tire out. This works woth even farm tractor tires.
Bottom line, you will learn how to the unload a truck when needed without hurting yourself. Just remember work at YOUR pace not the receiver.

Answer:
I have unloaded freight in the past-I won't do it now and haven't done it for years. The most I do is remove dunnage (cardboard) from in between pallets.
Any load that is driver unload, I hire a lumper. Period. I am a driver, not a lumper, it isn't my job to unload someone elses crap onto their dock, or break it down the way they want it. They can do it themselves or point me to a lumper.