How to drive in winter

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by nw88, Dec 3, 2016.

  1. Lepton1

    Lepton1 Road Train Member

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    ALRIGHT! Popped my snow cherry for the winter in my new (old) truck. I like how she handles. This is in Limon, CO and headed to Casper as a team. My brother's at the wheel now. Life is good, a light load, two days, and over $1000 net profit above my own payroll. IMG_20161207_032034675.jpg
     
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  3. nw88

    nw88 Bobtail Member

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    Good knowledge, thanks everyone. I just never know driving this heavy ### rig on winter roads. And being mostly a local gig its basically go go go regardless of the road conditions. If runs are planned to pass weigh stations before they open I'm guessing snowy weather is not a concern. I'll try to avoid you all out there!
     
  4. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    White County, Arkansas
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    I do the same thing.

    I also developed a theory over time that if you can walk on it without slipping onto your butt you can drive on it, generally. Ground pressure of human feet in terms of per sq inch is close to that of a 18 wheeler.

    I also pick a empty lot, several acres in size covered in ice and snow etc and do circles by drifting to right and left and then figure 8's bobtail, never with trailer because there is no safety chains to save you from damage.
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    Also if you did not already know be careful going into shade from sun and vice versa. Good luck.
     
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  5. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    Those are good trucks. Stable in snow. Sometimes I have had to hunt for the grooves on the shoulder to see if that front end is still on the road lol.

    Good looking rig there. No winter grille?
     
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  6. Lepton1

    Lepton1 Road Train Member

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    A winter grill is on the list.

    This truck has steering that is neutral and VERY little slack. Takes getting used to having a much lighter touch on the wheel than the Freightliner I drove the last year and a half. The only truck that competes for handling is the T680 in my experience.

    Oh, and that trolley brake under the steering wheel is perfect.
     
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  7. Lepton1

    Lepton1 Road Train Member

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    Ruh ROH!

    Just picked up another team load from OKC to Casper, running into the aftermath of that storm. This time I get the Limon to Casper to Limon shift. Should be fun times with expected temperature at delivery of -20°F. Hope my straps have time to dry out before hitting the big freeze.

    We just learned they want my brother and I to run three more round trips.
     
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  8. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    A biggie is to remember that bridges and overpasses freeze first. At least one fellow driver paid with his life this morning for failing to heed that one.
     
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  9. QuietStorm

    QuietStorm Heavy Load Member

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    I always coast bridges in winter.
     
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  10. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    That's the way to do it.

    The ones too long to coast complicate matters though. God forbid people should have to slow to a crawl to negotiate it safely. :rolleyes:
     
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  11. ChaoSS

    ChaoSS Road Train Member

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    There are some places, Donner pass in California comes to mind, that you must be very careful with the bridges. They like to put bridges at the bottom of a grade with the bridge curving around the side of the mountain, so if you lose traction you don't just slide, you slide into the guardrail, and hopefully not over it.
     
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