Winters coming. Advice?

Good ideas on this post. A catalytic heater, like a Mr Heater or something like that. It is great to have fuel in your tanks but if you break down, that little heater is nice to keep warm. The little propane stove is good also, you can heat your food and if you run out of water, melt snow. Extra set of wiper blades is also a good idea. I have been in heavy wet snow that has taken out a blade.

If you have one of those trucks where the defroster just isn't keeping the windshield clear, put your sunvisors down. It pushes the heat back toward the windshield better.

 

it was taught in mechanics school. that the a/c compressor comes on in defrost mode. as a way to keep the seals and other components lubricated during the winter. you don't use the defroster that much. and you never use the a/c in the winter. unless your in the south.

 

Also helps to control excess HUMIDITY that causes frosting up on the inside of the widshield

 

That's what the defroster usng the condenser system is all about. Humidity is the problem and the human body is a mass production humidity factory, plus it adds instant "heat" of a few degrees to the air mass and you get instant condensation. Ever get in a truck that had clear windows early in the morning, then come to find the driver's side windows all fogged up a few minutes later? Keeping humidity under control is job 1 for a climate control system.

 

Roads salted? What's that? Not here on I80 in Wyoming salt might kill the already brown grass. A lot of drivers think they put down deicer or salt and haul ##### and slide off the road.

 

Snow removal in Wyoming? Wait until it blows to Montana!

 

Good advise here. I've run over a few snowflakes besides staying warm/clothes and driving your own road the most important skill is thrown iron. Sounds boring and a waste of time in a parking lot during the summer BUT.....you will thank me when you pull in to a chain up area and have iron on/tight and rolling in 15 mins. Most important part in hang your iron so it's ready to put on your tires. Keep everything organize and put on your game face. You've got freight to haul.

 

Thanks for this thread. I've never driven in the winter either. Chaining is one thing that makes me nervous. I was never taught anything about chaining during training. Is it something I can watch a video on and then practice myself? Or does someone actually have to show you how to do it? I just looked at the bags and the chains (well, cables) are just tossed in there like a jumbled mess. Fun. My truck has super singles, too.

 

Some very good advice and u should take it all in--but I have found the best way to handle winter unless u can stay out of it altogether is NEVER go south of I90and stay west of the cities if at all possible yes the weathers worse but it is WAY safer runnin cross there than stay in 40 south w/all the supertruckers trying to avoid the bad weather that they r overqualified to have to deal w/anyway
Unless of course u r a sick#### like me--than stay on 80 east of Chicago (gary to nyc is best)only drive at nite so u can ##$# off all the fed ex ground and garbage haulers--who due to lack of backing skills find it necessary to spend most notes camped out in the media

 

Not at night, you'll see one plow maybe two til daylight. They don't want anyone on the roads at night. Atleast in Montana your mostly by yourself. Lol.