Winter Driving Refresher

Well I have a question I did not see mentioned in this thread.

How do you go down a Mtn that is snow covered pulling 48,000 lbs in a tanker and not use your brakes?

When I was pulling tankers, I used to hear the " Super Truckers " behind me saying get off your brakes tanker...

Um well let's see how else do you slow this down then?

 

Had to stop in fresh snow once, could not for the life of me get enough traction to get going. Dropped tire pressure on the drive tires to get a bigger contact patch, used the lowest gear I had and got going again. Don't forget to air back up ASAP.

 

Here's my two cents worth on winter time driving.
Well folks it’s upon us once again, wintertime driving which leads to a whole new set of habits and things to do so you are safe out there.
It takes some time to adjust to the different weather driving conditions so make sure that you are prepared. Some of this list applies year round. I’ve made a list for the newbies out so they don’t learn the hard way like I did, hope this helps someone.

• Extra clothes, shoes and blankets. Layers of clothes are better at keeping you warm than one heavy garment. Panty hose are good to wear if you are out side a lot.
• Plastic bags to put between your shoes and socks in the event that you have to walk through slush to get help. A couple of those 55 gallon ones make a good fast water proof covering and they will help keep you dry. Of course rain gear is better but sometimes we just forget to pack it.
• Food that that doesn’t require refrigeration or cooking to eat, like beef jerky, tuna or any canned foods. You can always warm it up on the engine if need be. Make sure you put a hole in the can if you are heating on the engine so the pressure can be released.
• Try to keep at least half full of fuel.
• Water both for you and the truck.
• A can opener, plastic forks spoons, etc.
• Kitty litter, and salt for traction
• A gallon of bleach to free the wheels when they freeze to the ground, the bleach heats the rubber up and melts the ice, also works for freeing up frozen sliders.
• A spray bottle for the bleach, much easier to use than trying to pour it on stuck sliders and wheels.
• A hammer to break ice away from the wheels. The winter storm of 1993 really enforced the need for a hammer. That was the ONLY thing that kept me moving.
• Antifreeze, power service, oil, tire pressure gauge, alcohol, windshield washer fluid Try adding some ammonia and alcohol to washer fluid to get rid of the road film and keep it from freezing. Any type of soda like coke etc will also get rid of that film. Great for bugs too.
• Extra Wiper blades. I cannot stress that enough.
• Paper towels, baby wet wipes, bathroom tissue, a rubber maid bowl with lid (Gallon size) for the situations we get into that we have no bathroom. Use gallon storage zip lock bags in the bowl.
• Extra batteries, flashlight bulbs, nothing is worse than having a bad bulb when you need it.
• Extra alternator, belts, bulbs, headlights, and hoses along with the tools to install them.
• Put white lithium grease on all the electrical connections including the bulbs anywhere that there is a connection that is exposed to the weather.
• A piece of garden hose in case you have to give or get some fuel.
• Clean and check the batteries, replace if needed.
• Make sure you have all your medications refilled.
• Duct tape, electrical tape, towels, rags and waterless hand cleaner.
• Diving gloves, they will keep your hands warm and dry and still give you the most sensitivity for picking up things.
• Air hose to hook to the air supply on the truck in case you have to drop some air to get traction and to keep the tire pressure correct. I have fittings on all the tanks on the truck and my trailers. Some of you that pull different trailers or have aerodynamic fairings will need one that hooks to the glad hands.
• Rubber gloves to wear inside your regular work/fueling gloves. Cuts the wind and keeps the fuel off your hands. Good for adding oil etc as well.
• I carry books to keep me occupied; I’m not big on TV so take what you need to keep occupied when you get stuck somewhere.
• Check the weather along your route and where you are going and plan your trip. Let your family know which way you are going and the places you plan to stop. Communications are vital to keep you safe and your family from worrying.
• Pay attention to the weather, some of you have temp gauges on the mirrors, those of you that don’t use a pulp thermometer taped zip tied to the mirrors or out the vent window.

I’m sure there are some things that I have forgotten. The main thing is be safe, informed and prepared. Murphy’s Laws applies to trucking more than any other profession I know.
Until next time, Happy Trails
NightWind

 

In North California chains are required on I-80 between Sacto and Reno in snow conditions. Just be aware of signs that order you to put on the chains. I'm sure the CBers will warn you.

• You must stop and put on chains when highway signs indicate chains are required. You can be cited by the California Highway Patrol and fined if you don't. You will usually have about a mile between "Chains Required" signs and the checkpoint to install your chains.
• Control areas can change rapidly from place to place because of changing weather and road conditions. The speed limit when chains are required is 25 or 30 miles and hour and will be posted along the highway.
• When you must put on chains, wait until you can pull completely off the roadway to the right. Do not stop in a traffic lane where you will endanger yourself and block traffic.
• Chain Installers: If you use the services of a chain installer, be sure to get a receipt and jot the installer's badge number on it. Remember, chain installers are independent business people, not CHP employees. Having the badge number may help with any misunderstandings later. Chain installers are NOT allowed to sell or rent chains.
• When removing chains, drive beyond the signs reading "End Chain Control" to a pull-off area where you can safely remove them.

 

Ignore the "SUPER TRUCKER" behind you that says your going to slow. Your the Capt. of your ship drive it like you own it. (If you don't)

 

Have a week to go before I test for my CDL and then it looks like I will be starting my driving career right in the winter months. This is a great thread,.... very informative.

 

Last winter as I was going north on I-55, when the big snow storm jan.,feb, I was approaching another truck that was moving along at about the same speed not realizing that this person had stopped in right lane (slow lane) for no apparent reason.
without a following distance, I would of had a real big problem so stay off the brakes, stay back, slow down, and keep a steady pull.

 

and on/off ramps freeze before the road surface does so slow down BEFORE you get into a curve and accelerate easily through the curve. look way ahead and take it easy in snowy weather, especially going through cities and also at night time when everything refreezes. if the back of your mirrors are iced up, then the road is probably slick. turn corners VERY slow in icy conditions weather you're loaded or empty. nothing could be more embarassing than sliding into opposing traffic during a turn or jacknifing while turning a corner.

 

My son has just started driving and he's doing great. He hasn't been in bad weather yet and I was thinking how can I train him with no snow or ice on the road. I came up with this idea. I filled a cup with water all the way to the brim and place it on the dashboard. Then we went for a drive. The object of course is not to spill any water and it's real hard to do. But I think if he gets caught at school with bad weather he can make it home.