Mountain driving during the winter

subscribing, in hopes of reading advice themed posts from the old timers.

 

There is a discussion (several actually) going on about chains, one here: http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...uckers-advice/124784-hanging-tire-chains.html which started as how to hang/store them, but there is some advice in there about chaining up.

In general I think - if you are questioning whether you should be chaining up or not, it is probably better to err on the side of caution and do it. Of course CO pretty much determines when to chain up for many out there. I don't know if they call it prematurely or not, but they will call it.

As far as the rest - taking it easy will get you further than trying to hotdog. As has been/will be mentioned - usually those you see (both trucks and 4 wheelers) in the ditch are those that let their egos out run their & their equipments abilities.

Don't let ANYONE pressure you into running in conditions you are not comfortable with, OR into going faster/without chains/etc... when you know you shouldn't.

NO LOAD out there is worth a human life, whether it's your own or an innocent bystanders. Be safe and good luck.

 

All of the above and ,run as low of tire pressure that you can get away with ,figure out if your ABS shuts your jake off. make sure you chain on dry pavement before the storm season to make sure they fit and you know how to do it. make sure the air dryer has been serviced lately
If you pull the same trailers all or the time try to figure out which wheel is most likely to lock up and chain that one for icey decents
If for any reason you feel it is so bad that you need to chain the steers tell the dispatcher he should make this run

 

With 9 years 4 wheeler experience in the northern-most county in Maine,(Aroostook) I have a good idea how to handle snow and ice, on 4 wheels.....(very limited experience on 5 axles)


All things being equal, on a grade, which will lose traction first, a pickup truck or a Big Truck at 60 or 70 or even 80k? All variables being equal...

 

The pickup truck will.

 

The pick-up...there is little or no weight on the traction axle. A big rig hauling at a gross weight of 60-80k has the weight bearing down on all axles, establishing traction and resistance. Now when a tractor/trailer running empty, there is no real weight on the drive axles and especially light on the trailer axles (tandems)...so with being empty, the trailer axles will be the first to skid, then the drives, and last the steer axles...not a good scenario!

 

Cant walk on it you #### sure ain't driving on it,drivers without experience chunking iron shouldn't be pressured to roll under liability.
Times are different now,they are playing for keeps.
If you have to question what you have to do,dont do it.
Otherwise fall all in and hope your lucky . . . . .

 

Drive ahead of yourself much more so than under dry conditions. It bears repeating....look much further ahead than you would under good conditions. Any body can hammer down....stopping quickly is the trick some don't think about untill it's crunch time. If an accident unfolds directly in front of you and you KNOW theres no way to stop with out folding up or ramming into them drive around if any room possible to do so. Just do your best not to get into a situation where hard, quick stopping is required. As mentioned before a drop in tire pressure is helpful. Above all let your conscience be your guide and use common sense. Rocky mountain snow is normally much drier and easier to drive in than say the snow in NC or Va. Hopefully you will have plenty of weight in the wagon on your run...makes thing much better going up and down.