A few cold weather tips

I'll add a few thing. Keep food water and something you can use as a toilet in the truck if you run where heavy snow is expected. A couple of years ago one of our drivers got stuck on the road in WV for 17 hours then again in VA for another 11 on the same 600 mile run. Same driver got caught out on the road in Arky during an ice storm and couldnt get off the road for almost 32 hours.

 

was thinking of mentioning a couple things myself, thanks for starting this thread.

Try not to change lanes on overpasses or bridges when its slick out. Those signs you see every are accurate. Bridges freeze before road surface.

INCREASE YOUR FOLLOWING DISTANCE AND SLOW DOWN. !!!!NOTHING!!!! we haul is worth your or someone elses life.

make gradual lane changes keep the truck as straight as possible. over the warm months we get into bad habits of changing lanes too quickly. You can go from making a quick lane change to waking up in an ambulance or not at all in the blink of an eye.

If your not comfortable get off the road. you become dangerous at that point. same goes for you guys that are overconfident. there is a happy medium. If your dispatcher doesnt like it tell him to come drive it down the road. If you get fired for it, screw em, not a company you want to be working for in the first place.

Just take your time and be safe drivers. would like to see you all still in here come spring.

 

You could slow down. If someone wants to drive 15, then pass um in the snowy lane if you want. They can go as slow as they are comfortable with. You dont have the right to say they cant use the road just because you want to go fast. You say they arn't safe going that slow. They wont get in an accident unless someone going 55 hits um. The person going 55 is out of control and they are causing the accident. Someone going 55 in icy conditions is likely to cause an accident with or with a slow person in front of them.

 

2 years as a trucker ?? Happy to know you got it all figured out.

 

I seem to recall reading signs......"Minimum speed 40.....45". Sounds like somebody is trying tell you something.

 

those minimum speeds are for optimal conditions. clear and dry.

 

Bull. A truck poking along at 15 when other vehicles are doing much more than that, apparently without problem, are a hazard to themselves and others.

Some of us are used to crappy road conditions and those of you from the south would do well to stay out of our way!!

 

Some of the stuff is no brainier, like Scorcher mentioned. In extreme winter weather, or impending bad weather, GET UP EARLY. I'm not talking about driving. Get up. Go get your coffee, check the weather, road conditions, go inside and see if there are any drivers standing around talking. Turn your CB on. What's everyone talking about? What are we looking for?

If there is a problem on the roads, you want to know about it BEFORE you leave the truck stop.if everything's going to hell, stay where you're at. You're in a safe haven. If there is a window of opportunity to get out of hell, get the hell out. I'm not even going to talk about fueling.

Had two of my guys coming out of BC with oversized. Weather went to hell. They stopped at the casino in Everette. Weather lifted, but chain law was in effect at the pass for 3 days. One driver moved to the TA on 90, the other stayed at the casino. Suddenly, there was a break in the weather and chain law was lifted. The guy at the TA was able to make it over the pass. THEN, the monster storm moved in. The other guy was trapped for almost a week.

Anyways, in in climate weather, everything you do becomes crucial...you still need to roll to make income, but you need to get through in 1 piece also. Plan accordingly.

 

If you plan to drive in North Dakota, fuel in North Dakota. The fuel is formulated for the current weather conditions. Don't fuel in Atlanta and then drive to Minnesota without thinking to fuel up before it gets cold. If your fuel stops are planned out, you won't need anti-gel except in the worst of conditions. But I won't drive if I think I am putting my life in danger. I don't haul freight in -10* weather unless it pays really good.