winter tips / driving with winds

An easy and steady hand and foot, smooth shifting, plenty of following distance and look and think much further ahead then you normally do on dry roads. If it gets windy enough, and the roads are slick enough, all the experience and skill in the world isn't going to keep you where you want to be. When [cross] wind is a factor, be extra cautious approaching large structures near the road such as elevators and silos, as well as breaks in trees near the road.

 

I have been in some places like Wyoming where the winds can get crazy bad and the best thing to do is to find a safe place to shut down until the winds die down, don't risk getting blown over, it's not worth it.

 

Switch over to hauling tankers. Nice round sides present less resistance to wind.

 

If you don't feel safe, park it facing away from the wind, never broadside. I have seen more than one truck blow over, dry just windy will do it.

 

winds can and do blow trucks over, most recently,
http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...nts/265821-winds-up-80-mph-culprit-truck.html

it only takes a gust of wind to get under your trailer and over you go, even with 45,000 in the box.

Head those signs that say no light trailers, or no trailers, or no semis.

 

and from the dot of wyoming,

[TABLE="class: table"]
[TR]
[TD]No Light Trailers: [/TD]
[TD] WYDOT will post a No Light Trailer message on the information systems when the wind gusts are greater than 50 mph with ANY road conditions.

This advisory pertains to trailers of any size (commercial and non-commercial) and to other vehicles such as recreational vehicles which are loaded with light materials (or are empty) and have a profile that is subject to wind gusts. Drivers of such vehicles are advised not to travel when a "no light trailers' advisory is posted as they can anticipate strong gusts of wind which may result in the loss of control of their vehicle or the potential for their vehicle to completely blow over.

Blow-overs of light trailers are very common in Wyoming. Controlling a vehicle during a strong wind event can be even more difficult when slick road conditions are present.

There is no specific research that has been done to study at what wind speeds and what load weights trucks will blow over. Therefore, WYDOT cannot provide a specific weight or wind speed that will cause a trailer to blow over.

Any driver who fails to comply with the "no light trailer" advisory and who is involved in a crash may be subject to a fine and can expect to pay the cleanup costs and fees associated with repairing any damage caused to public and/or private property.

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Closure to Light, High-Profile Vehicles: [/TD]
[TD] In locations where wind gusts are 65 mph or more AND where adequate signage to indicate the limited closure is available, WYDOT will initiate a closure to light, high-profile vehicles. This closure is targeted at vehicles that are prone to being blown over such as recreational vehicles, moving vans, campers, small trailers and lightly loaded commercial vehicles but smaller vehicles pulling trailers are also included in this restriction. Drivers of vehicles that fail to heed this type of closure will be considered in violation of Wyoming Statute 24-1-109 and 'shall be subject to a fine of not more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00) or to imprisonment for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days, or to both such fine and imprisonment.'

Research shows that when wind gusts exceed 65 mph, there is almost certainty that multiple vehicles will be blown over or be involved in a loss of control type of crash. These crashes most often result in debris on the highway that results in a road closure to all vehicles. It is important to note that WYDOT does not have adequate signage to implement a closure to light, high-profile vehicles in all locations. Additional sites may have wind gusts exceeding 65 mph and pose a significant risk of blow over. In these locations, WYDOT will indicate 'Extreme Blow Over Risk' on our information systems and drivers should exercise special caution.

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Extreme Blow Over Risk: [/TD]
[TD] In locations where wind gusts are 65 mph or more and where adequate signage to indicate a closure to light, high profile vehicles is NOT available, WYDOT will issue an Extreme Blow Over Risk warning. This warning is targeted at vehicles that are prone to being blown over such as recreational vehicles, moving vans, campers, small trailers and lightly loaded commercial vehicles but smaller vehicles pulling trailers are also included in this restriction. [/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

Use that common sense,

and obey your gut feeling.

 

If in doubt, wait it out ! Just remember you get paid by freight safely delivered not scattered on highway. Your safety is more important than ANY load.

 

Embrace that lil bit of nervous feelin&Hang on to it....itll keep ya outta trouble....dont let it overwhelm you....but overconfidence is much worse.....