How to drive in winter

That is for axle differential locks, not the inter-axle (power divider) lock. The link is simply provided as a cite for the quote in Post #39. It is not necessarily specific to your truck, but the general information is applicable. Typically, most OTR trucks in the U.S. do not have differential locks, but virtually all tandem-axle trucks have a power divider lock (I have never seen one without it).

 

Following up on not4hire's post, if you read further in the link to the article posted by him, it says you may engage the IAD Lock "at speed" and remain engaged for "long periods of time". As he noted, all three axle tractors have an IAD Lock, few have the axle lock and you will find that only in trucks that run off road. The axle lock shouldn't be used above 25 mph and only use it for short periods of time, like getting up a steep, muddy hill.

I too run highway speeds with the IAD Lock engaged whenever in slick conditions. Learn to use this and PRACTICE how the truck reacts with or without it engaged. You can get into a jackknife quickly if you don't have it engaged.

I think there has been quite a bit of misunderstanding about the IAD Lock passed on by drivers that don't know the difference between an IAD Lock and an Axle Lock.

 

Pretty good advice in this thread. I started trucking in Alaska in the early 70's and most of my miles until 2010 have been in Alaska, The Yukon and Northern BC. I guess the main points I would stress are: learn to read the condition of the road surface , look way ahead, and allow yourself plenty of space.
Safe travels out there!

 

carefully...

 

Yep. Carefully.

 

I drive up to mid 40's with the power divider engaged. If I can go faster than that I don't need the PD engaged.

 

You think?

Hey new people, you see these posts about going slow, and following distance and super truckers passing people and winding up in a ditch. It's not that Supertrucker that's passing that you have to worry about.

I am going to tell you all a secret. Get your notepad and pens out and write this down. This is the greatest danger to anyone n the road regardless of the weather. Ready?

IDIOTS TRAVEL IN PACKS. Nose to tail, side by side. Bad enough on dry roads in the daytime, lethal in the bad weather. The lone Supertrucker passing everyone may wreck, but odds are, he won't. When you see the idiots traveling together in bad weather, close proximity, I will guarantee you that something bad is about to happen. Cars or trucks...does matter.

"How far should we increase the following distance, Six?"

I like to be able to let off the throttle and coast to a stop. Even on ice, there's enough friction in play to stop you. How far is that? In the South, really slick roads, an 8th mile to a quarter mile.

ENGAGING THE POWER DIVIDER

You do on the fly, while rolling. Let off the throttle and flip the switch. Some dummy might tell you that you have to come to a complete stop. That is not true. Unfortunately, I'd wager 75-80% of drivers do not know how to properly engage the power divider. You will see them on the road, traveling in a group, start up a grade, brake lights come on and they come to a stop in the lane of travel, on an incline to engage the power divider. And then the fun begins. You've never been for a ride, until your vehicle starts sliding backwards downhill. Hope your underwear are clean.

"What do we do when the pack of idiots spin out on the hillside, Six?"

Most of the time, when the driver stops to engage the power divider, he stops in the right lane. If you had your big following distance, you will have ample opportunity to switch lanes and go around him.

Say the road is blocked. Park on flat ground and set your tractor brakes. I said FLAT GROUND. You will not need a wrecker. If you are a few miles away and you hear that the road is blocked, go ahead and exit the highway and get parked. There's no point in staying out on the highway.

 

I'm waiting for my number to get a dispatch. Those pictures of driving in nasty conditions are making me hope for a nice, high paying load to Wyoming or North Dakota.

 

If you have to ask 'what speed' you probably shouldn't be driving in those conditions. That is not a joke or a smart ### comment. If you are not comfortable or cannot adjust for conditions please don't try to learn snow driving in a truck.

I find it amazing that mega-crap companies will send a guy out in snow with a 105.5k of truck that has not ever driven in it. They will even give 'classes' on how to install chains on said truck. Of course the results speak for themselves.

Heres what I have to say about the inter-axle differential lock and differential lock. It is correct that the inter-axle differential lock can be engaged and run at just about any speed and length of time as long as the roads are slick and a tire is not already spinning. Which is the key point. Engage it while a tire is spinning, you can damage it. Engage it and run it while their is plenty of traction you will do some damage and the truck will push or understeer.

As said before the inter-axle lock only connects the two drive axles together so their is no slip or differentiation between them. Without it or disengaged, the tire set with the least traction will slip, and that is no one tire in particular; any of the four can slip. With it engaged the two tires with the least traction will slip as long as those two tires are on different axles.

I went to the trouble of describing that only because what I say next will cause some controversy with some folks: While driving down a level road in ice or snow at speed (25+) , you don't want or need the interaxle differential locked. It is not going to do you any good. Momentum will more then carry you over any slick spots and the ability of one wheel set to spin freely vs two in slick conditions will create stability for the truck/trailer. You will have a much better feel for the traction available. And the truck will less likely experience any torque jerks from wheels spinning and grabbing traction. Thats what I say and experience, flame on if you want. But their is a reason most 4wd cars do not come with differential locks as standard equipment and that is the reason I described.

If your climbing a hill or about to drive off road that is something different; lock the inner axle up before you spin. But driving on a flat road at speed your better off with it off.

And the only other tips that should be repeated about ice and snow is NO jakes or cruise. Your on the peddle so you can feel and react when that truck squirms around.

 

There is one small thing. Bridges. Especially those on a slope.

If you cross such a bridge, stop and wait until the idiots have crossed, then do it to the far right so that when your trailer slides downslope, it does not crush the minivan trying to pass you on that side. If the bridge slopes to the left you cross on the far left.

This is more for ice than snow. Snow is good but bridges are not good.

When I say I can drive in this deep snow does not mean I should be doing it. If you see everyone pulling over you should too. Seriously, it is not about man card, courage or anything. You find safe haven. Don't forget to rock back and forth to make a proper bed under your wheels every few hours as the snow falls.