Flatbed: Winter Prep

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by hup, Sep 20, 2011.

  1. hup

    hup Medium Load Member

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    Oct 19, 2010
    Missoula, MT
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    Ok, after 6 weeks out, I'm heading home this weekend for a couple days. Since I've been getting friggin icy during the nights lately, I thought it must also be a good time to prep the truck for winter. Swap out the shorts for long johns, get my toque (sorry, "winter hat" for some of you) and mittens! .. that kind of thing..

    Any flatbedders have some winter-prep wisdom for me? Must-have items for the colder months ahead. I'd prefer if these are flatbed-oriented things..
     
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  3. fortycalglock

    fortycalglock Road Train Member

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    Jun 25, 2011
    Tourist Town, FL
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    Tarping system!!!!:biggrin_2559:

    If I lived way up north like you do, I'd have a small tarp fitted to my headache rack to keep out the snow, ice and salt.

    Standard winter load for me is:
    2 winter hats
    1 neck gaiter
    Carhartt Jacket
    Spyder parka
    Cheap snow pants
    long johns
    wool socks
    Boots never leave the truck
    At least one pair of lined leather gloves.
    This may seem like overkill, but keep in mind you may be outside for hours securing a load and tarping it. Everything takes longer when it's really cold. A decent sleeping bag is a real good idea too as you'll need to stay warn if your truck breaks down.

    Food wise, I try to prep for at least 5 days of long term food and I don't touch them until spring.
    the 1lb DAK hams that don't need to be refrigerated
    Beef stew
    pop tarts
    canned veggies
    etc.
     
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  4. American-Trucker

    American-Trucker Road Train Member

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    Charlotte, North Carolina
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    Have you ever eatin mre's?

    I have far to many times when I was in the USAF, and they suck. Personally since you'd be buying them get yourself some canadian IEP's they are 1000 times better.







    American Trucker
     
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  5. gt4jk

    gt4jk Light Load Member

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    MRE's are super super Delicious! Depending on which meal you get! i used to collect MRE's actually (my grandfather has a couple for when he was in the service)

    Better than having a bruised Banana or a frozen hot dog, or warm mayo and cheese.
     
  6. aiwiron

    aiwiron Road Train Member

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    Sunny Tampa Florida
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    MRE's suck really bad and miss the C rat's myself

    I used to run hard in the winter and learned to keep not only what fourtycalglock posted but also:

    Heavy winter sleeping bag if stranded and truck shuts off, extra water for four days and a emergency tent heater that ran off of 1 pound propane tanks and carried a case of fuel in the trailer box. All my emergency food was Mountain House or whatever REI had on sale.

    http://www.rei.com/category/4500001_Food

    Also had a propane torch with a case of fuel to un thaw ratchet binders

    De icer in a one gallon sprayer for the covered wagon rag with a five gallon bucket full as a backup.
     
  7. aiwiron

    aiwiron Road Train Member

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    I like them also, German EPA rations are pretty shnizzle also.
     
  8. American-Trucker

    American-Trucker Road Train Member

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    I'll have to see if I can find some of those to try.



    American Trucker
     
  9. aiwiron

    aiwiron Road Train Member

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    If you look for the German EPa online also search for Einmannpackung or
    epa bundeswehr, had them in Iraq and Afghanistan and they are way better but starchy.

    High carbs just like MRE's
     
  10. Eaton18

    Eaton18 Road Train Member

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    Waverly, KS
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    My brother that has been running flatbeds for at least 10yrs, told me to buy bundles of gloves, if you're using the cloth type. They get wet easily and then forget about keeping your hands warm. Have several pairs so when one gets wet, you can take them off and put on a dry pair.
     
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