Winter Driving (Iowa)

Since you aren't a driver, let me explain a little. The air brakes on a truck have very little in common with the brakes on your car. With of course the exception that we all hope they will both stop the vehicles. . .

Air brakes on trucks work by keeping air applied to the brakes, to keep them from. well - braking. In other words, air pressure = brakes off. Lack of air pressure = brakes on.

When you park a truck with air brakes, there are two "protection valves" in the tractor. One sets the brakes on the tractor, the other on the trailer. Since these brakes are an air system, the air is put into the system by an air compressor. Just as your garage air compressor builds up condensation in the tank, the compressor on the air brake system builds up a certain amount of condensation in the air line system.

Modern tractors have a "dryer" system to take the moisture out the air lines, but you will still have some come through. This becomes a problem when moisture gets into the air tank in the trailer. In cold weather, the moisture can freeze, and block the air line, which will then not allow your trailer brakes to release. Because of the dryer you seldom have moisture build up in the air tanks on the tractor.

I still bleed off the air tanks on my tractor at least weekly, or more often in humid or cold weather. It's just part of my PM routine. However the tanks on the trailers seldom get bled off, since no one particular driver is assigned to a trailer. This is how the moisture builds up in the trailer brake system.

Leaving the trailer brakes not set, assures that they won't lock up on you. Of course, you have to take safety into consideration. I wouldn't park on a steep hill with a load on the trailer and not set the brakes. A little common sense helps. . .

 

i must have been lucky, my first driving job from driving school was for a small o/o out of iowa and my first winter was very easy. he said it there is more than1 inch, park it. if there ice on the ground, get comfortable, you are not moving. back then he didn't have the satelite's, qualcomm and etc, was just me and the C.B. and the cell phone and that was that . But that was back in 1996. now of course everything is different.

 

i still havent hit snow, a little black ice, but no snow, my trainer told me to let your rpms drop so low when youre down shifting that you really need to drop 2 gears, but only drop one.
dont set the trailer brakes.
when you back into a hole for the night, if its fresh snow, to pull in and out a few times to pack the snow a bit so you can get out in the a.m..
carry a small bag of rock salt just in case, and a couple cans of sterno for just in case the truck breaks down, you run out of fuel, or #### no idle states.
cross bridges in the very first green of the tach so youre not pulling or coasting, just kinda driving.
never have the hammer down in slick conditions, just in case you need to pull the trailer brake, youve got no more throttle to give to pullit straight.

uhh yeah thats all i remember, and watch out for ####### in 4 wheelers, they killed my dad, they can do it to you to.

 

Keep your moves slow and delibearate. Keep the windows clean as much as possible. Watch the bridges they will be the first to freeze as well as the over passes. If you are in an area with high wind be careful coming out from behind tree lines as there will be a sudden gust of wind and if it is blowing snow this will be slick as well. If it is bad out and you need to shut down do it! Watch the vehicles around you. When it is snowing watch for the spray off of other vehicles. If not the roads could very well be icy. I have found listen to local radio stations, weather band on the cb and call 511. Between these 3 you can come up with a fairly good idea of what to expect. You can listen to Ch 19 for other drivers reports but like fishermen some like to tell a good story. Also if you are near a rest area stop in and check thier local radar screen.

 

Just take it easy. It's basically common sense to slow down and be extremely cautious . Watch the idiot 4 wheelers. They couldn't care less about you or your truck( at least they don't show it ). Be extra careful when you're empty ( you'll see what I mean ). Don't jerk the wheel like the other driver said. Brake easy and steadily. Make turns VERY slow. Don't use your jake on wet roads. Stay off the trailer brake. It isn't necessary to use it if you drive properly.

 

sounds like good advice...

 

you should be getting some exp now with the storm that just hit there this morning

 

It's snowing here in Des Moines right now, we can't even get out of the parking lot.

 

One other thing I forgot. When you unhook your trailer check to see how well the 5th wheel is greased. If it is dry it can become sticky and push the tractor in a turn when you don't want it to.