Traction mats for incliment weather, are you using them?

I'm not sure what type of traction mats you are talking about but I have seen guys try and use friction mats like the ones in the photo. The tire just spits it out.

 

If rubber just worked the tire would do the job itself.

 

Can anybody explain to me how putting kitty litter under your tires will get you out of a spot that your stuck in whether due to ice and/or snow? How does the kitty litter give your tires traction? And will it work on all tires, steers, drives and trailer tires? How much are you supposed to pour under each tire?

 

Just works like sand. Takes up space on the ice and allows the tires to grip.

 

Rubber tires on ice just slip, no traction. Putting kitty litter, sand or anything with texture gives the tire something to grip. If you are just stuck on a little ice or sunk in a little snow it won't take much, just some in front of the tires and try to get some as close to under the tire as possible.

And yes it will give any tire traction if it's slipping, steers or trailer if need be. You know that's why they spread sand on icy highways

 

I saw a bottle in the truckstop, and did't buy it I like sand and salt, look at where your drives stop at, pull up , then put sand and salt where your tires will be ,and a little forward, makes getting going easier.

 

I drive a daycab and never leave the yard without 10 lbs of rock salt, my snow shovel and my flat dirt shovel for ice.

 

The way to solve that is to run the truck back and forth a few times when you park. Then again after a few minutes. Cools the tires off and packs the snow down, keeps you from melting into little ice pockets.

 

First, when arriving at the truck stop/ yard/whatever, drag your brakes a little to dry out the moisture between the shoes and drums. Then, do not set the brakes until they are at ambient temperature. This will eliminate frozen brakes in the morning, and be one less issue to contend with. Also, a frozen/ stuck brake(particularly trailer brakes) will cause your drives to spin trying to break free, exacerbating your poor traction issues.

Secondly, as @kylefitzy mentioned, pull up and back a few feet for twenty minutes, so your tires are cold enough not to melt the snow under them. But I would add, lay something behindyour drives to back up on. You mentioned traction mats, I'm sure they would work, but so does kitty litter, cardboard from the dumpster, broken pallet wood(minus the nails), any thing you can scrounge. Be inventive.

The key is to put it down first ,and then drive up on it. Then shut down for the night.

Leaving it to deal with in the morning will cost you time and if frustration.

Personally, I always carry two 16' tow chains. If there is any doubt about icing up I will loop them out behind my drive tires, ( one on each side) and then roll up onto them. Its virtually impossible to be stuck in the morning .

 

I've always just packed salt in the truck.