winter tips / driving with winds

You have 2 yrs exp,you must be doing something right.Try not to get too nervous that's when things can go wrong.Don't get too close to the snow covered shoulders.There's no reason to be in a hurry because your dispatcher is pressuring you into getting that load to the customer.No load is worth risking your safety or anyone on the road.Keep plenty of following distance and look far ahead.At any given time a vehicle may slam on his brakes due to someone stuck on the shoulder,accident or a semi in the ditch.During snowey and windy conditions I drive with both hands on the wheel and slow.No reason to be in a hurry you're not going to get the miles anyway.If you feel absolute certain you shouldn't be driving then find a safe haven and park it for the rest of the day.Sit back and watch a movie.

 

Steer into the lean

http://youtu.be/1mNC01YNxmY

 

When they give forecasts they will give the wind speed and then the wind gust speed, always make your decisions based on the gust speed. Be careful coming out from under bridges or from sheltering trees and buildings along the highway. Yeah, a heavy load helps but not as much as you may think, use common sense, it's not a yes or no answer.

 

Being empty in the wind is the worst load that I have ever had. Wyoming has the highest wind gust incidents in the country.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4z9eH4YmVWs



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TStS90Z5xho



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeoVaqdwZXw

 

Ain't that the truth about WY.If they did have a calm day I think that could be a sign of what bad weather is coming.

 

Wyoming doesn't have those snow fences on both sides just to give birds a place to rest their butts

 

In high wind conditions I park it.
I've seen too many trucks rolled over in those conditions, even some that seemed to be heavily loaded.

I listen to NOAA radio. It will tell you what times the worst wind conditions will be, and when it will be lighter.
Plan your trip around the worst stuff. If you have to sit for a day, so be it.
A day late is better than a lost load - or dead!

It's the same with snow and ice.
Do a little research before starting out in the morning so you know what to expect for the day.
Then shut down just before it gets bad enough to be too dangerous for safe driving - for as long as necessary.

Better safe than sorry...

 

When its cold and dry and your on ice try to keep some tires in the powder snow if sand isn't available. When in wet heavy snow and ice do the opposite, stay out of the wet snow and grab a sandy strip if you can. take it easy and keep an eye on the on coming traffic. If you are eastbound and you see the westbound traffic slow down to a crawl then get ready for the road to get worse. With the HOS bs these days you will literally have money falling out of your pockets anytime you slow down let alone stop, but definitely stop if you don't feel comfortable with the road conditions.

 

I regularly consult the Current Winds map on The Weather Channel's web site. This shows wind speeds and directions.

If I have a light trailer and the state allows it, I'll put my trailer tandems all the way back (or back as far as legally possible) if I'm in a heavy broadside wind. This gives the wind less leverage and makes for a more stable ride.

I steer a truck in the wind about the same as being at the helm of a sailboat. You have to relax and feel the gusts hit and make adjustments to your steering to stay on course.

Slow down in very high winds, especially quartering or broadside winds. The faster you go the more you amplify the effect of the wind.

Be aware of terrain and structures that can funnel the wind, like canyons, bridges, or large buildings. Try to anticipate when the wind will be channeled in your path.