Winter driving tips

It’s not a bad idea to keep at least one pair of chains on a truck. I learned in a muddy/icy/snowy drop lot in New Berin, NY... had to get tugged out of the lot by the guy plowing with a big cat loader.

 

Also, if you have room for a bag ot kitty litter, not a bad idea. Myself and several other trucks were trying to get out of our spots one morning after it had iced up. I had noticed the previous evening a barrel with kitty litter by the their tire shop. I went over there, got a big cupfull's worth, spread it in front of my drives and walked it out of my spot fairly easily. Other guys were still wrestling with there spots.

 

I carry a ratty pair of single chains in one of my boxes. If I'm in a jam getting out of a door, I just lay them out on the ground in from of the drives and run over them (don't spin). I pick them back up when I close the van doors. I also carry a bag of crushed rock traction "sand" (pea gravel sized) in the sleeper storage compartment for the "easy" stucks. I'm at the point that I pretty much know when it's going to be a hassle and pre-sand or lay out the chains where my drives are going to end up at a door.

 

I always keep a few bags of chicken grit (very much like floor dry) the stuff works miracles for extra traction. I've spread it on pure ice/packed snow driveways and been able to walk the truck right into where I needed it. Huge time saver

 

But................

What if it snows?

 

Get a CB radio and turn it on when weather is bad.

Headed south on I25 last night down to New Mexico. The road shutdown through mountain pass just north of the border. Got stuck in Trinidad CO.

Eventually they started letting semi trucks through that were chained. The chatter from north bound traffic was that they were "sliding all over the #### place."

So we decided not to ride that ride and stayed put. Lol.

Another trucker reiterated an old term drivers like to use, "use your chains to get out of trouble, not to get into trouble."

It sucks shutting down, but I just didnt have a good feeling about that one.

 

My definition of a Super Trucker is Some one who pulls super loads. The people you are referring to are not the same thing. You can drive on snow packed roads, you just can not stop as quickly, adjust your speed and keep going.

 

Is this the stuff you pour in your red airline if you have frozen trailer brakes?

 

Carry a bag of ice melt and a 50 lb bag of sand, the parking lots and docks get ploeed but some don't, your tires are hot and will melt the snow and ice under the tires when you park, at the dock or in a parking lot, look to see where your tires are , then pull up . Get out and spread some salt and sand where your tires will be, back up on the area where you put the sand, it makes leaving easier