Winters coming. Advice?

You would think you would have known better since it looks like you pull a cow mobile. I always make sure my window is up when I get passed by one

 

Lol you would think right?

And yep just started. Last week was my first week. So far so good I'm enjoying it. Won't have to worry about your window rolled up around me. I don't run much interstate. So if you stay off the 2 lanes you're safe from me lol.

 

Never let your fuel tank below half a tank at all times Truck or reefer you never know when WY.NE will shut the HWY for a few days.
Make sure you have a combo of fuses for your truck,Flashlight with spare Flash batteries, a can of starting fluid & a small tool kit
Keep electric blanket with you just in case. A small package of cat letter in case you spin your tires after parking all night & U R Trying to start going in the morning after the storm dumped a foot of snow on the ground.Check your cell phone signal before you park for the night. when possible find a spot to park where you can call for help if needed.
Fuel filters in case of jelling up & a gallon of Lucas fuel additive for emergency use only.
when Cars/trucks start running in packs get off the road but don't ever pull up to the exit ramp only the get on ramp.watch your trailer when parking don't park like a rattle snake.always keep in mind that there are others trying to get off the HWY.& do what you are doing.
Don't drive at night on slick roads especially when your R light weight. Under 20.000
Get you a camping propane stove from walmart in case you need to heat something like a can of campbell's soup etc.Keep a package of tortillas with you that stuff last for months.
Have some cold medicine with you along with vitamin C and aspirin & such.
OK that is enough for now as I have a feeling you are not going to do any of that but that is your choice I Park & hibernate in the winter time anymore.

 

i use the weatherbug app on my phone. it's color specific to snow and rain.

and keep 511 on speed dial. for road conditions and chain laws.

 

In NE when they shut down the interstate you can still take HWY 6 or 34 if you're in a jam. That isn't a bad highway and if you can make it to hastings, or Grand Island you will be alright. If its shut down and you're west you're kinda Sol. Shut down and you're east of hastings west of Lincoln 6 will run you over to Lincoln and there's shoemakers west and the Philips 66 at the 395, if both of those are full and you have to head south the truck stop just north of Beatrice on 77 usually has some spots. And 77 is usually pretty decent. Sometimes the highways in this #### state are better than the interstate to be honest.

 

Don't listen him. You can't trust someone whose cargo always winds up dead!

 

Advice? A t-shirt, shorts and flip-flops are not winter clothing.

 

Don't forget other basics like draining your air tanks and removing excessive or build up moisture from the lines.

Make sure your A/C works. Sounds strange, but most tractors have the A/C system tied to the defroster. You need it year round.

If you have a bunk heater, check it now and avoid the rush if it needs service.

When you park after a long stretch, set the tractor brakes, not the trailers. After some time has elapsed once you've parked, roll the tractor back and forth so your tires don't freeze to the underlayment.

Don't forget your following distance.

Stay off the brakes going across bridge spans overpasses unless they're needed and then, let off the accelerator and let the rig do the slowing. If you find yourself having to brake, avoid high threshold braking unless you want to look like a bad imitation of Holiday On Ice.....

Better yet, if ice is bad (Slicker than Owl sH**), stay off or away from them if at all possible.

Stay off the jake and the cruise both unless you're on wet or dry pavement, not ice or snow.

And above all, if you've got to throw chains, it's probably a good idea to park.

Oh, one other thing.....

 

I ask the exact same question 30 yrs ago, and got a 2 hour debate but the moral of the story was NEVER doubt your gut, if your head is nervous, pay attention, if your gut gets nervous it's time to take a break. I would also like to add "artic" rated coveralls and sleeping bag to your list of must haves. And if you can only have one, (cost, lack of storage whatever) pick the coveralls, you can sleep in coveralls, but you can't walk 1-1/2 miles to the next exit in a sleeping bag.

 

Besides the good advice and yellow snow already said...

Never go outside your comfort zone. Regardless of being coerced by some dispatcher in a warm office you have the power to shut down if you feel the roads are unsafe. Many times the beginning of a storm is the worse. Pull into a rest area until the plows run and the roads get salted. Then you can continue on if you feel it is okay. FMCSA regs allow you 2 extra hours driving time for adverse weather conditions if normally you could of completed the trip with normal weather. See quote below.

Don't be that driver that has to win and pass everyone. Follow the flow in the right lane with double the following distance.

You'll get better with experience.