Winter driving

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by darko1411pa, Jan 1, 2013.

  1. darko1411pa

    darko1411pa Bobtail Member

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    Jan 1, 2013
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    This is my first winter and I would like to know what gear I should use going downhill if there is snow on the road and I'm loaded ?
     
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  3. pick

    pick Bobtail Member

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    Jun 25, 2011
    the desert North of Ellay
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    first off, never drive loaded!!!!...oh, wait - the trailer is full of product - I get it now... (had to be said, ya know)
     
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  4. Balakov100

    Balakov100 Road Train Member

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    Not sure if there is a blanket answer for that.
     
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  5. pick

    pick Bobtail Member

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    Jun 25, 2011
    the desert North of Ellay
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    and gloves and a jacket....
     
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  6. Giggles the Original

    Giggles the Original Road Train Member

    exactly, there isnt, (blanket answer) there are many things to consider.....
     
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  7. Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

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    3rd gear should be fine.
    You'll never get going fast enough to be in danger of sliding into something.
    Might want to keep your 4-ways on though.

    Is this question for real?
     
  8. pokerhound67

    pokerhound67 Heavy Load Member

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    Oct 30, 2012
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    there are many variables, like they said above. i never want to "give the truck its head" so to speak, when the weather is even sort of crappy. so ill generally use a gear or 2 lower than if it were dry conditions. but it could be REALLY bad, and then it might be still a lower gear. im not using my cruise control ever in bad weather. and you said loaded trailer...thats actually the best case scenario in bad weather. worse is bobtail and worst is empty trailer. and yes, im aware of how the horse analogy will be misrepresented as a sexual reference. go ahead, i can take it...im a big boy.
     
  9. Wingnut1

    Wingnut1 Light Load Member

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    Jul 3, 2012
    The Mitten
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    Darko, we need to know many, many things to "sort of" give you an answer. Like has been said, there are too many variables. Truck? Trans? Load weight? % of grade? Temp? Type and how much snow? General rule of thumb is 1 gear lower than what you climbed the hill in. In snow, I'd probably drop 2 gears, maybe more. Hard to say without knowing where you are and the circumstances.
     
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  10. chompi

    chompi Road Train Member

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    Have to go with Wingnut on this one. The general formula for going down a big hill is to go down one gear lower than you went up in. The other factor mentioned was road conditions. If the road conditions aren't ideal then you will want to access the situation and go down according to the present conditions.

    Don't just judge the road conditions on what the roads are like going up or what they are like at the top either. Mountains generally have two sides and either side can differ greatly depending on which way the weather is flowing. It could be blue sky's and warm on one side and blizzard conditions ramming the other side with full force! There can also be great differences in the conditions at different elevations.

    Best bet is to take it slow, take your time and adjust your driving accordingly. Do not wait until it is too late to do so or let the truck get away from you.

    Keep in mind that you can go down a mountain a million times to slow but only once to fast!
     
  11. Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

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    I've never found the '1 gear lower going down than up' rule very helpful.

    On many hills I will be going up in 5th or 6th gear if I'm heavy, but can safely go down in 7th or 8th.

    And sometimes the downhill side is steeper, so I have to step it down a bit more.

    It all depends on the road, and the grade, and the load.
     
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