Driving the big-rigs in snow and ice

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by nwcountry, Sep 17, 2009.

  1. bullhaulerswife

    bullhaulerswife Forum Leader/Admin Staff Member Administrator

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    Our propane tank is jealous. And the Propane guy doesn't like us anymore. :biggrin_2559:

    [​IMG]

    We cut a huge ash down this summer, it split so nice, it had been dead for a couple years. Its nice wood. I'm the designated Splitter/thrower. Can fill the dually in about an hour with nice split pieces.

    Any time your in the area, we'd be happy to give you a workout. Got 6 saws. So you can cut and split to your hearts content. :biggrin_255:
     
    Working Class Patriot Thanks this.
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  3. REDD

    REDD The Legend

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    A route? We ain't selling candy or cookies door to door... We go where the freight is. There is no "route".

    I use my windshield for a weather forecaster. If I look out the window & see that it is snowing.... Then I'd predict that the chances of snow are at 100%.

    I keep driving in all conditions until the nice man with the little blue lights, the shiny badge, & the gun tells me that I can't drive no more. Chains? You don't have to throw chains... No law says you have to. If it gets that bad, pull over & take a nap.
     
  4. V8-MACK

    V8-MACK Light Load Member

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    There,s a couple little tricks, like a light cold weather storm-7in. covering the road and still snowing, if you drive with just your clearance lights on you can see through the snow and see the tracks from the beginning of the storm, you can,t run like that if there,s much traffic though. Use rainx on your head lights,side clearance-directionals, side windows,windshield wipers, it doesn,t completly stop snow buildup, but helps. I wouldn,t use rainx on the windshield,because when driving at night in the rain it smears the windshield. To drive in winter storms you have to use common sense, like no cruise control,when empty you very little traction,on ice or even snow wind can push a dry van sideways. Driving at night some drivers get the feeling there traveling much faster than they are, there driving 35mph in a horizontal windy lake effect storm at night and they say it feels like there traveling at mach3,so you have to look out for drivers that get snow blind, they,ll slow down to 15mph thinking there going much faster. I enjoy the night storms there,s nothing like it, and when daylight breaks it makes everything so pretty. haha Good Luck and just relax, you can,t be in a hurry in a white out.
     
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  5. soon2betrucking

    soon2betrucking Road Train Member

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    Sep 28, 2007
    Philadelphia, Pa
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    so true! iv caught my self many times going way slower then i thought, but always felt safer,
    one thing i have always noticed on the CB growing up and today, is that in the snowy weather more drivers tend to be a bit more serious and looking out for one a nother. till u get near a truck stop, then the crap talk starts always. but while driving in the snow its usualy more serious.
    iv always told my friends and family that if u wanna no whats going on up ahead pay attention the the majority of the trucks, they usually are aware of the dangers ahead, follow them, if they are going slow, u go slow, if they are all hitting the exit, u should prob do the same..
    people always forget how to drive if the road is not dry, always look out for grandma/pa, and the young punks in the fast and the furious cars who think they no how to handle the snow... always nice passing them when they spin out, ill honk usualy at them.

    now.. lets get back on topic here,
    went to the store this morning, got me some bananas and put em in the oven, and they did not come out looking like banana bread...:biggrin_25524::biggrin_25510::biggrin_2551:
     
  6. nwcountry

    nwcountry hot-flash

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    Winchester Oregon
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    Thanks for this, good stuff!!!;)
     
  7. nwcountry

    nwcountry hot-flash

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    Winchester Oregon
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    You know where you are going, the route, before you start out, at least I would hope a driver checked that out in his instructions. Course if you are an owner operator, guess you can choose your own route.

     
  8. notarps4me

    notarps4me Road Train Member

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    I have never worked for a co that routed me. I refuse too.
     
  9. nwcountry

    nwcountry hot-flash

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    Sep 11, 2009
    Winchester Oregon
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    You mean "tells" you the route? Well either way, what I am saying is that before you take off you know what route you are gonna take, at least I would.


     
  10. notarps4me

    notarps4me Road Train Member

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    I route myself. A lot of these roads I have run and know the ones I like and I don't like, but I also cut thru the woods and go exploring from time to time... or I ask others on here or drivers on the road if they have ever taken such and such road. A word to the wise be careful in Va, WV, PA, and east KY....:biggrin_25523:
     
    Working Class Patriot Thanks this.
  11. IdahoPhil

    IdahoPhil Medium Load Member

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    Wild Wild West
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    Oregon requires chains on all CMVs if you're going to continue driving during a snowstorm. Even if you're heading for a truck stop to sit out the storm, you'll still have to chain up if you pass through an area with the chain law in effect. Hefty fine if you blow it off (if caught that is). Seems like when 1 flake hits the ground, they get paranoid and activate the chain law. They also require you to carry chains on your truck year round.
     
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