winter driving, little nervous

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by gravdigr, Oct 14, 2011.

  1. harleymanjax

    harleymanjax Rookie Skateboarder

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    Also when your going around a curve that has any banking to it, WATCH YOUR TRAILER! If its icy it will actually start sliding down the banking into another lane!
     
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  3. gravdigr

    gravdigr Road Train Member

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    I'm aware that some states require chains. When driving in those states we are given chains. I don't drive west coast. Mostly nj, pa, oh, in, il, ky, tn, nc, sc. I don't think any of those require chains.
     
  4. Hammer166

    Hammer166 Crusty Information Officer

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    Digger, if you're worried about needing chains in a lot or something like that, you can carry just some short chains with just a hook on one end that are just long enough to feed through the holes in a wheel and hook to itself. It's not near as effective as a tire chain, of course, but if you happen to melt through and need a little extra to pop out of the hole, they will do the trick. It's fugly, cheesy, and redneck looking, but it beats chaining up to move ten feet to get out of your holes. And you can get some nylon sleeves to protect the wheels from the chain as well.

    Don't remember seeing this tidbit yet, but it's worth bringing up and ^^^this^^^ reminded me of it. When you stop on snow pack or ice, don't just set the brakes and leave the truck where it's at; move it forward or back a few feet after it sits for a few minutes. This will allow the tires to cool and not leave you melted through the snow/ice. If the roads were good enough that you've been rolling highway speeds, you might need to move two or three times before letting the truck sit all night.
     
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  5. Kittyfoot

    Kittyfoot Crusty Ancient

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    Something I will mention; when you're moving along and one of the "hammer down" crowd goes past, back off a bit. Not for politeness. Trailers suck up a bunch of snow so the rear vision is near nada. You can almost always bet Mr Speedy is gonna come back over waaaay before he should. He can't see you and your windshield will be full of his snow.
     
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  6. target_driver

    target_driver Light Load Member

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    digger, all good information thrown at you, when goin across iowa on I-80 stay out of packs and slow down, i have never seen an area so littered with trucks as that stretch........... and its every winter.

    be safe and keep the dirty side down
     
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  7. Smaggs

    Smaggs Pie Crust

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    Hey brother...

    Slow your pace, increase your space. You sound like you've got more than enough good sense to safely navigate through a winter!

    Try to enjoy the challenge of being a pro out there with all the ignorant four wheelers trying to whiz by you. Just let them. Don't let yourself get into a hurry.

    Good luck and be safe out there!
     
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  8. Smaggs

    Smaggs Pie Crust

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    Indeed. Better slow or late than hurt, killed or lost your load in a median or ditch.

    I always stop when I'm uncomfortable. I have driven straight trucks in snow for years... I can only imagine how my first winter will be with a big rig.
     
  9. CondoCruiser

    CondoCruiser The Legend

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    On average, I maybe shut down one time a year due to weather.

    But don't give newbies advice it's okay to run just because some of you run the fine line of death and had no incidents. They need to start at the over careful end and slowly build their confidence and experience up.
     
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  10. Smaggs

    Smaggs Pie Crust

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    Condo, is that Wilson in your avatar?
     
  11. gravdigr

    gravdigr Road Train Member

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    Hmm, getting hard to tell which side is the dirty side...think I need to hit a truck wash :biggrin_25511:
     
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