You do want to use an antigell if you are driving north, I always remind people that if the fuel is going to gell it would gell in the pump.
You want to buy a box of granola bars, I keep an old peanut butter plastic bottle with field mix, nuts and fruit. Buy a set of large candles over 3 inches around, dollar stores sell them cheap.
If you are not comfortable driving in winter conditions, park it, doing 20 MPH when others are doing 50 will get other people killed trying to avoid you.
While driving everything has to be done at a slow steady pace, no twitching, nothing sudden. If someone tries to pass you, do not block them, let them go, you might learn something, watching them. If you do not know the road get on the CB and ask questions, there is no such thing as a stupid question, except the one you do not ask.
The other day I watched a couple slam on their brakes, on a slippery road and skid into the ditch, I stopped to pull them out, I asked what he braked for, he said he did not think it was that slippery.
Be sure you have chains and they are ready to use, not broken or twisted.
Do your pre trip, check everything, if your truck is not in top shape do not go.
The simple things are very important, be sure you have windshield washer fluid for winter conditions, trying to buy a winter grade washer fluid in southern states is near impossible. I add a cap full of Dawn dish soap to the jug before I pour it in. Clean you windshield wipers, they get covered in an oily film, and just smear it around.
Be sure you have a winter front.
I know many a trucker that when the road conditions are bad they park it, it is very hard to make money when you are averaging 20 MPH, or in chains, it is impossible to make money when the truck is in the body shop. You will then be asking would you like fries with that.
Just a thought!
A few cold weather tips
Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by flightwatch, Dec 5, 2013.
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I was doing between 55mph and 65mph. I have 4,000lbs in the box. At no point was I ever "out of control." If I had even once felt that it was unsafe to drive, I would have pulled over immediately. Nobody cares more for my safety and well being than I do.Steinbrenner and Leftnut Thank this. -
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Different trucks have different tires, load weights, wight distribution and overall grip. Your rig might be able to go fast safely when others can't, but that doesn't mean you can drive out of control and have the right to hit the slower drivers.
Yesterday i was in dense fog. I have great eye sign and was able to pick out the cars and trucks pretty far ahead when others could barely see them.Since I had good brakes, road conditions were good and I could see pretty far, I was driving pretty fast. Many others slowed way down because they were having trouble seeing as far. Im still responcible for avoiding the slower traffic even though i could see far enough. Im still responsible for stopping my truck within my viewing distance if someone is stopped. Even if you can control your truck going fast on ice, can yous top it within your view distance? If not, your going to fast. -
while anti-gel is a good idea. if your on o/o.
it's probably unrealistic for company drivers. -
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what works for me is never assume the vehicles around you know what they are doing. if possible avoid pack mentality and if stuck in a pack leave extra space i always hit 4ways if braking quick for a slow down on slick roads . ive driven a lot of bad roads and may be comfortable at 60mph but if traffic is doing 40 mph i do 40 as well or i park
tinytim Thanks this. -
carry a couple of propane cylinders and a torch attachment to thaw frozen snow chains and frozen brakes.
davidj79 Thanks this. -
Thanks for this tips, it really helps.
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