Snow and ice removal from trailer.

Discussion in 'Questions To Truckers From The General Public' started by VC22, Jul 14, 2008.

  1. VC22

    VC22 Bobtail Member

    4
    0
    Jul 14, 2008
    PA
    0
    Hello,

    I am researching ways for truckers to keep snow and ice from building up on your trailers. Does anyone have any methods to keep this from happening... other than going up on top and removing the snow/ice manually? Are there products already on the market for this?

    Thanks,

    D.
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. d-man57

    d-man57 Light Load Member

    246
    33
    Nov 20, 2007
    Indiana
    0
    Not much truckers can do about this, I've been on the giving and receiving end of this deal. About all you can do is back off or pass. Most of the time if ice is flying off a trailer there is some talk about it on the CB. Never seen anyone shoveling off the top of their trailer, doubt if i will either. I suppose someone could come up with a drive-thru heater to melt it off, but who would be the one paying for it?
     
  4. Truckerjo

    Truckerjo Road Train Member

    2,314
    341
    Sep 5, 2006
    Indiana
    0
    No tricks, you can fall threw the roof if you walk on it... the only option is to have the trailer washed at a blue beacon ext... Unfortunately states like PA think you should have the roof clean and will give you a big ticket for it... if they are so concerned about it they need to install trailer top brushes that you can drive under and have the spinning broom sweep it...
     
  5. VC22

    VC22 Bobtail Member

    4
    0
    Jul 14, 2008
    PA
    0
    Yes, it seems the legislators here want the independents and trucking companies to be responsible and pay, however all the truckers seem to agree that this is a impossible task to do. Just too dangerous

    This is why I would like to hear input from you guys (truckers). You guys know best.

    D.
     
  6. Truckerjo

    Truckerjo Road Train Member

    2,314
    341
    Sep 5, 2006
    Indiana
    0

    Well they could install a device like this at the scale houses or in the rest areas (PA uses them as scales) this way a driver could simply run the truck under it and clean the trailer... Having every shipper in PA install a trailer cleaning brush would be impossible to do.. So, the only real options would be the ones I mentioned or even have them installed at truck stops, unfortunately this would be another charge the truck stop would charge.. Not like trucks are nicked and dim ed enough (the problem is its not nickle and dime it $10-50-100 ext....)
     
  7. VC22

    VC22 Bobtail Member

    4
    0
    Jul 14, 2008
    PA
    0
    Do you think a sweeper brush would take care of ice or just snow? Seems that ice would be really hard to remove once on there.
     
  8. Truckerjo

    Truckerjo Road Train Member

    2,314
    341
    Sep 5, 2006
    Indiana
    0
    Well I think it would take care of most of it but not all of it... The problem is majority of these trailers sit on the shipper yard for weeks at a time, snow will occur then the sun will come out and melt it just to have it freeze again at night, over and over ext... So, again its not a 100% fix but it is better then nothing.. The only sure way is to have the trailer sprayed off to remove the ice (but then you still may get ice build up after pulling out) Its an impossible task and very naive to think that truck drivers should keep the trailer tops ice and snow free... The cost of cleaning a trailer could be $30-40, get that on every load you pull out of snowy states and it would bankrupt every company... or the cost would have to be passed on to the customer to clean the trailers, then the cost would be pushed of to the consumer causing people have to pay more for thier foods, toilet paper ext...
     
  9. VC22

    VC22 Bobtail Member

    4
    0
    Jul 14, 2008
    PA
    0
    Very helpful information... thank you. Yes, I agree that truckers should not be responsible for the trailer. This should be subsidized either be the legislators and State or perhaps split the bill with company owners and the State.

    It does seem to be an increasing problem here in PA. It seems the State is going to really crack down on this problem. How many other States give hefty tickets out for snow and ice?
     
  10. EZX1100

    EZX1100 Road Train Member

    4,016
    5,710
    Aug 18, 2012
    0
    New York lawmakers revisit snow and ice removal
    By Keith Goble, Land Line state legislative editor


    Getting out on the roads after a significant snowstorm or ice storm often can be tricky for even the best drivers. Two New York lawmakers have offered bills for consideration that are intended to reduce one risk factor for truckers and other drivers.

    Sen. Martin Dilan, D-Brooklyn, and Sen. Jack Martins, D-Brooklyn, are concerned about accumulations of ice or snow that fall from atop various vehicles. They want to get tough with drivers who fail to clear the wintry precipitation off their vehicles.

    Dilan’s bill would permit police to cite truckers and other drivers for failure to act. Meanwhile, Martins’ legislation is focused on smaller vehicles.

    “When vehicles travel with accumulated amounts of snow or ice on top of their roof, it is very likely to be blinding to other vehicles traveling behind them and cause accidents,” Dilan wrote in a memo on the bill. “This legislation will help to prevent those types of accidents.”

    The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association and countless truck drivers are opposed to rules that permit police to pull over drivers whose vehicles were not cleared of snow and ice.

    Martins’ bill – S841 – would exempt large trucks from the snow removal requirement. Specifically, vehicles weighing less than 10,000 pounds would be required to be cleared.

    Martins’ office did not return multiple calls requesting comment.

    The issue of snow and ice removal is not a new topic in many states in the northeast U.S. Since October 2010 New Jersey has allowed police to ticket drivers simply for having snow or ice atop their vehicles. In Connecticut, a similar rule is slated to take effect December 31.

    Dilan’s bill – S395 – would set up significant fines for violators. Motorists and other drivers of small vehicles would face fines between $150 and $850. Truck drivers would face fines between $450 and $1,250.

    Emergency vehicles and car transporters would be exempt from the rule. Any driver determined to be “disabled” would also be let off the hook.

    Critics, including OOIDA, point out that facilities are not readily available in states to accommodate such mandates on trucks. Another problem is the practicality of requiring people to climb atop large vehicles, and doing it in less-than desirable conditions.

    In addition, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration prohibits anyone on the job to climb to such heights.

    Martins’ bill would authorize fines for smaller vehicles starting at $50 and increasing to as much as $1,000, if injury results. Incidents that result in injury could also include one or two points on offenders’ licenses.

    To view other legislative activities of interest for New York, click here.

    Editor’s Note: You are welcome to share your thoughts with us about this story. Comments may be sent to state_legislative_editor@ooida.com.

    Copyright © OOIDA
     
  11. Eaton18

    Eaton18 Road Train Member

    1,755
    1,103
    Sep 3, 2011
    Waverly, KS
    0
    Notice the political affiliation, which smacks of nothing but $$$$ revenue generating bills. If they're concerned with safety, they would understand that forcing a person to climb onto a 13'6" object, that will be slippery is not safe.

    I think that OOIDA needs to take a rig covered with ice and snow, and ask those in favor of such legislation to climb up and clear the snow off. No safety harness, nothing to catch them when (not if), they fall. I'll bet not a one dare attempt it.

    Luckily, and thankfully, I don't have this problem. Pulling an end-dump, I can just shake the stuff loose, roll the tarp to get it off. I can also raise the bed slightly to get it to slide off.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.