Push in the clutch method when skiding

**Semi Crazy** · 09.05.2012

Once in an old Mack 10 wheeler with no front brakes the drives started skidding. Dynotard ended up killing the engine so there goes the power steering. Ended up in a parking lot 180 degrees from travel direction.

I knew it was icy and I came to the slight downgrade and slowed way down but with no front brakes and no weight on the drives it was hopeless. Didn't hit nothing. Pulled my undies back out of my butt and continued on.

Nowadays with all this traffic it would have been a disaster.

**STexan** · 09.05.2012

You need to be aware of why is your truck skidding. Every scenario requires a different corrective action and there is not necessarily only ONE action that might work but to be sure, one action (method) may make a bad situation worse. Are you applying too much torque (power)? or is it a wind-blown skid? are you coasting downhill and skidding in a turn? There are too many different types of ice skids and for an instructor to give such a rather lame method for dealing with skids borders on malpractice IMO. I would advocate you would NOT want to depress the clutch when you are in a skid situation because you can not very well control any future re-engagement of the drive (release the clutch) and how this is probably going to worsen your problem. You need to focus on steering, power application, and possibly light brake application in some cases.

**'olhand** · 09.06.2012

I'll probably get slammed for this but here goes--SKID-SLID-your truck and trailer--find a BIG ### parking lot(just like when you were a kid)and go SLIDE--gently at first--get the feel--locked the brakes let trailer slide--over power drivers and skid--just do it slowly--with plenty of room--at slow speeds-unlockin brakes and/or letting off gas--should straighten you right out--that way if it happens in the REAL WORLD--you won't be so skeerid--Remember more wrecks are caused by panic than anything else
Just my $.02

**Hammer166** · 09.07.2012

Originally Posted by 'olhand

I'll probably get slammed for this but here goes--SKID-SLID-your truck and trailer--find a BIG ### parking lot(just like when you were a kid)and go SLIDE--gently at first--get the feel--locked the brakes let trailer slide--over power drivers and skid--just do it slowly--with plenty of room--at slow speeds-unlockin brakes and/or letting off gas--should straighten you right out--that way if it happens in the REAL WORLD--you won't be so skeerid--Remember more wrecks are caused by panic than anything else
Just my $.02

Yep, I'm gonna slam you---------------- the cool drink of your choice right down in front of you!

'olhand has it exactly right; if the first time you ever experience a skid or slide is a surprise, you have been woefully unprepared for bad weather driving.

To the OP: I wrote this a couple years ago, I talk about the dynamics of a skid. Ice, ice, baby! Buried in there is also a lesson on parking lot playing.

**carsonallen1977** · 09.07.2012

That's why I am going to go to a community college for my school. It is three times longer than the stupid ### c.d.l. mills and cheaper.

I went to a c.d.l. mill ten years ago. We never took one night drive, one mountain pass, nor did they teach you how to chain the truck.

**STexan** · 09.07.2012

I don't care if the CDL school is in Miami, it should be mandatory for all graduates to be able to demonstrate they can properly chain inside and outside tires (singles)

**Ballpoint** · 09.08.2012

I'd say they are full of it and should have nothing to do with the trucking industry.

**Klatu** · 09.08.2012

I've noticed that some people have this one major issue in inclimate weather. "SLOW DOWN".

**ukdon** · 09.08.2012

Have had to put drag chains on trailer to keep it from coming around due to high winds and ice on I80 in Wyoming once or twice. Hit a patch of black ice under snow in Ohio one winter where I had to clutch but was only going about 40 anyway due to conditions.

**carsonallen1977** · 09.08.2012

Don't want to turn this into a thread about chains, but I don't even know what a drag chain is, I'll have to do some youtubing and reading about them. Can you believe Schnider put me in a truck without one person showing me how to chain, or should I say I can't belileve I let them put me in a truck.

Also, the c.colleges program is 240 hrs with 120 hrs of driving. Sage School in Sandy, Utah is 150 total hrs with 42 hrs of driving, but they say you go out one student per trainer. But still 42 hrs compared to 120, plus they probably count backing as part of those hours. Gees.

Im in no hurry, I just had neck surgery and Voke rehab is going to pay for my school when I can pass a dot phys.