Lets talk about winter driving with doubles

Discussion in 'LTL and Local Delivery Trucking Forum' started by Apd, Mar 25, 2015.

  1. Apd

    Apd Haystack

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    Well I was watching some videos on youtube and some how came upon a series of videos of winter driving with doubles whipping across 3 lanes of highways and several other close calls and it got me thinking. I'm from California so we don't get huge snow storms and ice on the roads like back east so I've never seen this happen, but I always wondered how often LTL guys back in the northeast have a set of doubles get away from them? Just curious to hear some of your opinions on winter driving with doubles and if it's really as bad as it sounds. Seems like it makes a dangerous job 2x more dangerous than it has to be.
     
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  3. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    I drove doubles for years (In Ca./Id.) If loaded heavy, there's no problem. The problem arises when traction is minimal because of the single screw. Or, you're loaded light and you now have 2/3 trailers whipping around. And I think we do get snow/ice in Ca. Places like Donner pass, 58 over tehechapi, I-5 N. of redding etc.
     
  4. Apd

    Apd Haystack

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    That is true, but it's still nothing like back in the northeast.
     
  5. rearview

    rearview Medium Load Member

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    I cant remember how many times I chained up in Redding, unchained by Weed, rechained at Yreka, unchained before the bug station, rechained to get over Ashland, unchained then chained again to get over Smith, Sexton or stage.

    Wiggle wagons are usually the reason for the road closing or chain requirement over Ashland. I sat a few times going up Ashland waiting for the ORE DOT truck to come move the wiggle wagon that lost it.

    Guess it is a matter of perspective, East coast has some little hills, a lot of traffic on the seaboard and the majority of people have a clue on how to drive in snow.

    you can usually sneak over 58 and go down 14 when I-5 is closed, but it gets slicker than goose grease with the wind blowing up at the top going eastbound.

    Allow me has it pegged. Single screw sucks in snow. Oregon makes you drop the 3rd trailer when the roads get bad.
     
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  6. Mr.X

    Mr.X Heavy Load Member

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    I pulled double/triples on the northern routes (NW-MW) several years ago , we never pulled triples in the winter though. guys were pulling double 40' trailers in New York too. Just had to try not to get into a situation where you gotta gouge the brakes and always keep a close eye on that rear trailer. There was normally a strip of loose snow and sand on the right side from the snow plow, and on the hills or where I might need to hit the brakes, thats where I always kept the right steer tire.
    If you had a heavy load on maxis, then you just as well figure on throwing at least a couple singles on to keep momentum on the big hills, those who didnt often times ended up either against the guard rail trying to chainup, or blocking the road and screwing up everybody’s day!

    Sometimes I would run for a mile or so with about 10lbs on the trailer brake valve to warm up the brakes in hopes of having nice even braking rather than have a brake on the dolly grab and screw things up.
     
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  7. simpleman78

    simpleman78 Bobtail Member

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    Wiggle Wagons and Goose Grease! :biggrin_25523:
     
  8. Shaggy

    Shaggy Road Train Member

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    Several inches on the road way,Seems like this, Minus the dude in the back. Idiots cutting you off :)

     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 9, 2015
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  9. jakebrake12

    jakebrake12 Road Train Member

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    A lot of it is how you're loaded which you don't always have control over. My ideal set would be about an 18 up front with a 9 in the back with the lead pup being heavy up front. The worst aside from empties is two trailers the same weight that are both heavier in the rear. Two really heavy one song great and they stop better but the heavy rear is like an anchor and you'll get stuck going up hill before you even know what happened.

    They have their limitations but I don't think they're as bad as most think. You just have to leave some distance and make slower moves on bad roads. Seems like most of the wrecks on lousy roads with sets involve losing the tractor first. That's why I like a heavier lead box and keep my rpm's lower on slick roads.
     
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  10. Naptown

    Naptown Road Train Member

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    I pulled my first set of doubles through a snowstorm in Michigan, and I was puckered up so tight I lost about 2 inches of seat cushion. I was pretty proud of myself when I made it to Grand Rapids in one piece. Rolling stops so as to not break traction are easier to get away with at night :D
     
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  11. Radman

    Radman Road Train Member

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    I spun out with my Rocky set the other day cause I had 22k and 21k on my back box. Barely sand on the road and slick spun out like nothing. Slapped two chains on, plow came by and started to throw some sand down. Guess he was on break or something wouldn't of happened if there was the amount of sand he was putting down. But my square set didn't help either.
     
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