HELP i have to drive on a road of ice for the first time what should i not do?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by TheBandit, Dec 28, 2008.

  1. madmax1869

    madmax1869 Bobtail Member

    18
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    Dec 31, 2008
    Fresno,ca
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    Go slow be safe, make friend on radio and fallow gt nervous stop.
     
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  3. TheBandit

    TheBandit Bobtail Member

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    Dec 23, 2008
    vancouver
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    i used all the advise and the drive although alot diffrent from driving in the dry was not as scary as i thought. although they shouldnt call it driving in the snow but Floating in the snow. I kept missing rest areas due to the fact the time i saw the sign it was to late to slow the truck down enough to make it due to the fact it took me 6 football fields to stop. i had to only take leaks at break checks and scales as they were marked well enough in advance. But all that being said i have to say i was ok with the drive. thank you all so much for your help. it not only kept me safe and otheres on the road with me but also 2 othere drivers i ran in to at the top of the "smasher" (the hammer thorn mountain hill) they were waiting at the brake check for anyone brave enough to tackle it or had done it before and at 3am i was all they got. i took a look at it and used the above advice and it was fine slow but fine.

    As for doing it again from vancouver to Edmonton and back 3 loads and unloads no extras for fueling time etc or loading/unloading. $550 which is 40c mile canadain.
    i just did the drive i got loaded sunday at 11am in vancouver and took hwy 1 as the coquihalla why was to bad on the way there and got edmonton at 5am sleept till 7am and dropt my load at 8am. i had to wait around for the second half of my load so didnt really get a chanse to sleep and i finally hit the roads back at 5pm monday and drove all nite to get back to vancouver for 8 am Tues with no sleep. so i got 4 hours sleep total since sunday to tue and thats 3 nights ways from home and iv been a sleep from tues 8 am to wen 8am.that a totall of 4 days the last of which i caought up on sleep. so i was on duty from 10pmsun to 10pm tue minus 4 hrs sleep which means i worked 44hrs divided by $550 for the 1400 miles at $40 cents works out to be $12.50 an hour not including hours i sleept. i use to get $20 an hour driving intown. Its just not worth it i could flip burger from 9-5 5 days a week thats that would take less of a toll on my body and i could see my kids every nite for the exact same amount of pay. i think im quiting
     
    Last edited: Dec 31, 2008
  4. Lilbit

    Lilbit Road Train Member

    16,583
    12,232
    Aug 4, 2008
    Let me check my logbook
    0
    Glad you made it, and pulled it off!
     
  5. dancnoone

    dancnoone "Village Idiot"

    9,922
    3,713
    May 6, 2007
    Mississippi
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    I think you learned several things here LOL

    You can actually get traction, on snow. And, if you need to take a whiz, the time to start slowing down. Is when you feel it coming on. Not when you see an exit ramp :biggrin_25525:

    I been following the thread, didn't offer any advise. But, I have watched to see how you came out.

    Good to hear you're home in one piece, and safe.
     
    TheBandit Thanks this.
  6. Skutt

    Skutt Bobtail Member

    29
    6
    Jul 31, 2008
    Lake City, Florida
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    Hey Bandit, don't quit driving, find a good day haul job at home. You can make good money and be with your kids and the wife every night, thats how I have always done it. I have quite a few days that work out well hourly although I get paid by the mile and stop. Some days not so great, good day is something over $20/hr in the end and bad day might be $14/hr. Throw in the benefit package and the fact I'm home every night and it's not too bad. We will never get rich doing this but it could be a lot worse.
     
  7. Lostreb

    Lostreb Bobtail Member

    16
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    Jan 1, 2009
    Winnemucca, NV
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    If you feel that this run is not safe, THEN DON'T DO IT! It's your life, not the dispatchers! Just tell them you'll get it there when the road is safe!
     
    latanea Thanks this.
  8. rocknroll nik

    rocknroll nik High Risk Load Member

    4,490
    5,770
    Oct 18, 2008
    can't read the sign
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    Glad you made it Bandit!! And I'm glad that you figured out the $ breakdown isn't worth your life ...welcome to otr driving. Be safe and happy new year driver!!!!
     
  9. Kabar

    Kabar Road Train Member

    1,041
    395
    Nov 5, 2008
    Pell City Al
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    Here's a lttle saying I teach all my students.

    Turn off the jake, Stay off the brakes, Lock in the diff's and SLOW THE HECK DOWN.

    Turn off the jake's. Any one who tells you they can use the jakes in ice and snow. Stay the heck away from him. he's going die.

    Stay off the brakes. If you have to use them be real easy with them.

    Lock in the diff's. I belive it's better to be safe then sorry. It's better to have them locked in and not need them then to need them and wish you had them.

    Slow down. If the weather is bad it dosn't take much speed to be TO much speed. To heck with every one else. There not driving that truck.
     
  10. latanea

    latanea Road Train Member

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    Sep 21, 2007
    cincinnati (sharonville)
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  11. telcobilly

    telcobilly Medium Load Member

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    Sep 30, 2008
    Laying Low
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    This is a timely question for me. I just completed my first solo run today from Mira Loma, CA to Denver CO. I went I-15 N to I-70 E for the last 2 days. It got bad right at mm 1 on I-70 for about 30 miles , then cleared up again until Vail, CO. It was a lot of slow driving, flashers, low gear and easy on the brakes. I made 439 miles the first day and 545 miles the second, which got me to Arvada right at 11 hr's drive time.

    Talk about a baptism of fire for a rookie! I learned a lot and my confidence is growing daily, every mile that goes under me and every backing I have to do.
     
    latanea Thanks this.
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