Dealing with old man winter, a primer on winter driving.

No, you can't fix stupid.

But there is a big difference between being stupid, and simply being ignorant of certain facts.

Ignorance is probably the biggest problem, but it can be fixed with a little knowledgeable instruction.

 

I posted somewhere else a while back about last years incident.

Last winter at night, outside Indy on I-74 coming down a small incline and unknowingly went from a salted area to an unsalted area. In a matter of a couple seconds, I went over an overpass and immediately started to slide. My first reaction was to let off the gas, but the momentum of the trailer pushing me was making things worse. Only when I lightly gassed to maintain a nuetral position of not pulling or being pushed was I able to regain control. On the other side was three 4 wheelers in the median that weren't so fortunate. The next overpass was the same way. I broadcast on the CB to let anyone around know. Once I got to the loop, the roads were salted there. I guess they run out in that one section or missed it on I-74. Ice can catch you off guard quick. Be careful on bridges.

 

Condo, your technique reminds me of driving in the snow in a front wheel drive car. If your back end goes out, give it a little gas.

 

I had my camera with me, but forgot. Said I would on the way back, but they already pulled it out. I think the driver would have been alright if he was wearing his seat belt, but if there was somebody in the bunk they may have been messed up.

 

so, is it NOT a good idea to disconnect the airline from the compressor and pour in the antifreeze......and can I use alchohol?

 

Nothing prepares you for that. It all happens so quick and I was lucky. I knew not to do anything evasive and coasting didn't work. So counter the trailer pushing was all I could think of in 1.2 seconds.

If you're going to lose traction, do so going straight is your only hope.

 

im not sure if this was posted but i figured i'd go ahead and post it anyway. know how your truck handles in the snow. the best way to do this? go test it out. find a flat parking lot with tons of room and just see how it drives, slides, get used to it. just do it in 1st gear, real slow. it's kind of fun,. just doing this in 1st gear you can get a very good feel for how your truck will handle. you can prepare, drive safely all you want, but if you dont know exactly what your truck is gonna do when it slides, you might find yourself freaked out.

 

That's good advice. That's how I first learned to drive a car in the snow. I use to go crazy in parking lots and on ponds to learn what you can and can not do. But newbies first learn the basics on dry ground first before you jack knife.

 

Couple of days ago I was finished my delivery at the mine and had to make it up a hill with a fairly short run at it. My truck and trailer combo is 32,000 kg empty. So while the extra weight helps with traction, it hinders the acceleration part.

So start out having to go around the mill, trying to gain speed as I round the corners. Last corner I really start to give it and had the tractor fish tailing around the corner with a set of super B's towing nicely behind. I just kept hard on the throttle and ended up just barely making it up the icy hill, spinning the whole way.

I was a neat feeling and looking back, while I was fish tailing if I had of let off the throttle I think the trailer may have pushed me into a jack knife. Neat feeling and so glad I did not get stuck on that hill at 2am.

 

yup! did the same thing when i got my license. i figured a truck cant be much different. and so now when i drive in the snow with a truck i can relax, and enjoy the snow because it really is beautiful to look at. i keep it nice and slow, i know what my truck will do, i'm in control and i never feel like i'm not even when i'm on a road that touching the brakes will make it slide.