Newbie Gonna Be Driving Doubles In Colorado Mountains. Advice?

RiggerModus · Jan 10, 2007

After 1-2 months of training, I'll be returning to Colorado to drive doubles at the beginning of our snowiest month -- March.

I'm a touch apprehensive at the prospect.

Your advice and/or experiences?

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jamwadmag · Jan 10, 2007

TrickOrTruck said: ↑

After 1-2 months of training, I'll be returning to Colorado to drive doubles at the beginning of our snowiest month -- March.

I'm a touch apprehensive at the prospect.

Your advice and/or experiences?

---------------------------------------------
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As much as I would like to 'eliminate' another Lib, it's the old common sense thing---'NO freight is worth attempting to drive in really bad weather!" I, personally, stay away from I-70 most of the time. I drive south US 160 if Wolf Creek pass is not bad (open). Also, many times I-80 thru Wyoming is still OK, or BETTER!.
Stay away from I-70 if anyways near bad---ever take the Eisenhower Tunnel Bypass (Loveland loop)? Don't do it unless summer or roads clear (Hazmat/or over 13'6" ht).

25(2)+2 · Jan 10, 2007

jamwadmag said: ↑

As much as I would like to 'eliminate' another Lib, it's the old common sense thing---'NO freight is worth attempting to drive in really bad weather!" I, personally, stay away from I-70 most of the time. I drive south US 160 if Wolf Creek pass is not bad (open). Also, many times I-80 thru Wyoming is still OK, or BETTER!.
Stay away from I-70 if anyways near bad---ever take the Eisenhower Tunnel Bypass (Loveland loop)? Don't do it unless summer or roads clear (Hazmat/or over 13'6" ht).
Click to expand...

I haven't taken the bypass, I did do I-70 to the end in Utah between snowfalls just before the first of the year, I had a heavy load and a full tandem tractor with lug tires, I didn't break traction once, if you are going to pull with a single axle tractor you'd better be able to chain up. Wolf Creek pass was closed and I-25 was bad both ways from Denver, even New Mexico was declared a disaster area. On the way back, I had the pleasure of spending New Years 800 miles from home resetting my 70 and waiting for bad weather to clear Nebraska and western Iowa.

If the weather is dicey its best to play it safe.
AJ

pro1driver · Jan 12, 2007

TrickOrTruck said: ↑

After 1-2 months of training, I'll be returning to Colorado to drive doubles at the beginning of our snowiest month -- March.

I'm a touch apprehensive at the prospect.

Your advice and/or experiences?

---------------------------------------------
Click to expand...

refuse to pull them empty..........let them suspend you, let them harass you. do not pull them empty..........its worse than bobtailing......

my experience is what i just told you..........

jamwadmag · Jan 12, 2007

pro1driver said: ↑

refuse to pull them empty..........let them suspend you, let them harass you. do not pull them empty..........its worse than bobtailing......

my experience is what i just told you..........
Click to expand...

Never drive MT's in bad weather---even 'think about it' in heavy rains/winds with 'rutted' truck lanes filled with water! Yeah, they'll push you to take them into snow & ice (weight will help you in snow, not ice!) but it's like sitting on a keg of dynamite! I recently sat under a single-MT for 1 1/2 days in Gallup in qustionable/marginal road conditions----I no fool and no hero either, by that definition.

RiggerModus · Jan 12, 2007

Thanks, y'all; that's good stuff.

What's an "MT?" Multiple trailers?

How much leeway does a newbie have to say, "nah, I ain't doin' that"?

This is really great stuff, thanks again!

------------------------------------------------------------------

jamwadmag · Jan 12, 2007

TrickOrTruck said: ↑

Thanks, y'all; that's good stuff.

What's an "MT?" Multiple trailers?

How much leeway does a newbie have to say, "nah, I ain't doin' that"?

This is really great stuff, thanks again!

------------------------------------------------------------------
Click to expand...

The leeway depends on the co. Does yours have a 'no forced dispatch' policy?

Scarecrow03 · Jan 12, 2007

TrickOrTruck said: ↑

Thanks, y'all; that's good stuff.

What's an "MT?" Multiple trailers?
MT = empty (just sound it out, lib boy):smt033
How much leeway does a newbie have to say, "nah, I ain't doin' that"?[\quote]
You, as a professional driver, have all the power in the world to refuse to do anything you deem unsafe. Most companies are very understanding of this, and even have policies stating that very thing. You are the one who makes the calls as to what is or what is not safe, not any other driver, the dispatcher, load planner, safety director, or whoever else is working inside an office of a trucking company.

What follows is not so much directed at you, but any other newbie who reads this thread.

However, don't abuse this power. Don't try to tell them it's snowing something fierce and you're not gonna drive when in fact there is no bad weather. Sure as you do this, another driver from ur company will be driving thru the same area and just might get a phone call or a "beep" on the Qualcomm asking how the roads are. Then, you'll be getting a "beep" or phone call directing you to the nearest terminal to clean out your truck. This is all just common sense, but I still felt it needed to be pointed out.
Click to expand...

jamwadmag · Jan 12, 2007

Scarecrow03 said: ↑

TrickOrTruck said: ↑

Thanks, y'all; that's good stuff.

What's an "MT?" Multiple trailers?
MT = empty (just sound it out, lib boy):smt033
How much leeway does a newbie have to say, "nah, I ain't doin' that"?[\quote]
You, as a professional driver, have all the power in the world to refuse to do anything you deem unsafe. Most companies are very understanding of this, and even have policies stating that very thing. You are the one who makes the calls as to what is or what is not safe, not any other driver, the dispatcher, load planner, safety director, or whoever else is working inside an office of a trucking company.

What follows is not so much directed at you, but any other newbie who reads this thread.

However, don't abuse this power. Don't try to tell them it's snowing something fierce and you're not gonna drive when in fact there is no bad weather. Sure as you do this, another driver from ur company will be driving thru the same area and just might get a phone call or a "beep" on the Qualcomm asking how the roads are. Then, you'll be getting a "beep" or phone call directing you to the nearest terminal to clean out your truck. This is all just common sense, but I still felt it needed to be pointed out.
Click to expand...

Pretty much ALL good driving is common sense--right on "Scaredofcrows!"
Click to expand...

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