Winter driving in Midwest and Northeast

What about a big tarp job at a plant where if you take too long you just end up getting in the way and get the shipper's panties all up in a bunch? Or when your on the last of your 14 hour clock and the shipper doesn't allow overnight parking?

 

I keep chains in my side box only because they make me.

I'm at a point now where if there is a mandatory chain up ahead of me, I'll either detour or park it until they lift it.

If the hill is slippery enough to require chains then its too dangerous for me to drive on. I'm done and over all that BS.

Hurst

 

Snow provides some traction,,ice doesn't. Move out of the groove and off the ice..

IMO, I-80 across Iowa is about as treacherous as it gets,,,,thankful for all the Iowa parking,truckstops and hospitality and the food is pretty good too...

 

Love Iowa for that. Kansas too

 

Just be safe and don't worry bout the fools that may blow bye you at double the safe speed, you will catch back up sooner than later. Laughed my ### off at a driver that passed me in northern Iowa last year. Road was icy as hell with periods of limited visibility, and WINDY!.....I found him parked in the ditch a little farther up the road. While I don't wish that on anybody, this idiot put all our lives in danger. If you don't feel comfortable, pull off.

 

Wow. I thought you were smarter than that. Another "if it's too bad I have to chain, I shut it down" driver.
That statement proves that most don't know why you use chains.

 

To O.P. Come on up. I pull wiggle wagons with no weight on them, here in the Midwest, If I can get through it without wrecking then you can too. I love looking in my mirrors and seeing all that snow dust flying everywhere. LET IT SNOW LET IT SNOW LET IT SNOW.

 

I've chained up more times then I care to count. I've run it all. Cabbage, Lookout, Donner, Elk Mountain, Vail Co, North East, North West, Ky, Tenn, Wv, Md, PA, Vt, Ny,.. 80 - 90% of the most common treacherous routes to travel during the winter. I ran them and I am still here to talk about it.

I was like you, gun ho and eager to please. Load has got to get delivered no matter what kind of guy. Not any more.

Its my truck and as an O/O I can make the call to stop and pull over if I so choose. I had a bad experience last winter coming across 68 in Md,.. were it not for my experience driving under those conditions I would not be here typing this now.

I'm not putting myself in that type of situation anymore. As a driver and O/O I have the choice. I can chain my truck and trailer inside of 10 - 15 mins. Its not that difficult. I just dont WANT to do it anymore. I dont want to slip and slide around on icy hills anymore. I'm over it. I have the option to pick and choose. Many dont. You dont get to my age by making foolish choices.

So get over the fact that I wont chain up. You dont know me any more then I know you.

Hurst

 

Cat litter is usually bentonite clay. If it gets wet, it turns to paste, and a slick paste at that. What you want is something that will bite down into the ice and your tires. Sand, gravel, rock salt, friction board; anything that the tire won't just shoot out behind you (like a 2X4 or a pile of chain) should work.

Chlorine makes your tire rubber softer at lower temperatures. Soft rubber bites better than hard rubber, but soft rubber wears a lot faster than hard rubber. Having spent $6000 on tires this year, that stuff won't be anywhere near my truck.

 

I grew up where it got cold and many people that live with that always have something to keep them warm should stuff happen. If it is 30 below with some wind and your truck shuts off what is your plan? Mine? I will have those insulated coveralls and something for my head hands and feet. Yeah I carry them even if I didn't use them. I will keep a excellent sleeping bag tucked away somewhere for the people who assume stuff doesn't happen.