Winter driving in the West

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by kid_cardiac, Dec 5, 2014.

  1. kid_cardiac

    kid_cardiac Medium Load Member

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    Feb 24, 2008
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    Although I have almost seven years of experience behind the wheel of a big rig, this is my first time in the western U.S. in the winter. I'm currently in Ontario, OR, waiting for I-84 to open up to head towards Portland. Two days in a row now, there have been numerous accidents along I-84 in both directions. Is it always this bad out here? Are drivers just in a hurry? I know weather has a lot to do with it, but it is usually this slow-going this time of year?
     
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  3. double yellow

    double yellow Road Train Member

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    A few days every couple weeks are bad at any given pass. Watch the forecasts and plan alternate routes if necessary -- it costs less to go 100 miles out of route than sit 2 days...
     
    Lepton1, Pinqui, Lucar and 3 others Thank this.
  4. uncleal13

    uncleal13 Road Train Member

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    Generally I haven't had problems with road conditions, just the clowns driving on it.
    Slow, steady and smooth are the keys.
    i see people change lanes like they're playing dodge ball, and off they go. Take it easy on the throttle and brakes. And definitely no cruise control.
     
  5. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

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    Maybe I'm becoming a curmudgeon, but my perception is that the commercial drivers entering the industry in the last decade are lacking in training, skill, courtesy, patience and common sense.

    They're dangerous on dry roads, let alone the conditions you're in.
     
    Hammer166, Cat sdp, Al. Roper and 6 others Thank this.
  6. rachi

    rachi Road Train Member

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    SoCal
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    You can look forward to it every winter. Drivers need to brush up on there chaining skills when out west. Another place that drivers chain alot is Donner pass. Thats where i got my chaining cherry popped.
     
  7. joseph1135

    joseph1135 Papa Murphy

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    The Highway To Hell.
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    Lol. Welcome to Oregon. Every day this week 84 has been closed.
     
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  8. Ditch Doctor

    Ditch Doctor Medium Load Member

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    Olathe, KS
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    At least eastbound is open today. Sat for almost 8 hours waiting for westbound to open yesterday.
     
  9. joseph1135

    joseph1135 Papa Murphy

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    The Highway To Hell.
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    There's been a lot of freezing rain Pendleton back east. Not looking forward to this winter if this is what it's going to be like, think spring!!!
     
  10. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    there's going to be accidents ANY time the roads are bad ANYwhere in the country. and it's not just truckers. cars drive with big balls too.
     
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  11. Dryver

    Dryver Road Train Member

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    Sioux Falls, SD
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    You can't train drivers to have common sense and patience but these are the 2 skills needed in winter. Maybe the clowns will learn patience while parked on there sides in the ditch waiting for the tow truck. If your knuckles are white on the wheel or you butt is eating your seat then pull off and wait it out.
     
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