-15 degrees and brakes won't release

Real simple... when you pull into the TS drag your brakes just a bit,,,when you back into your parking spot, pull forward and backup about a half dozen times or so,,,than, set your tractor brakes only,,,in the morning you will be fine...I have never had an issue when doing just as I explained.. drive safe

 

Yes, never on a big truck but when i Lived in VT I did it allot on Snowmobile trailers and stuff.




American Trucker

 

http://www.propanewest.ca/Torch_Page_new.htm

This is what we pack around in winter months in Northern Canada. Just aim the heat to the drum and you're rolling in a couple of minutes.

 

Always drain your tanks before winter sets in and get in the habit of using brake line antifreeze and your problems will be minimal. I sat in St Paul a couple winters ago in -15 weather for a weekend, windchill -30. I only set the tractor brakes. That cold and most likely you'll be sitting in rough ice covered parking lot. Leave yourself a little room to back up as the brakes are designed for forward movement. Pushing in reverse might be enough to free em. If not, get your butt out there and start beating.

I only had to beat once in my life and that was a trailer I picked up on our yard in NE. It still didn't work. I literally dragged the trailer in the shop and let them thaw out after freezing to death.

 

This is why I love this forum is full of people with knowledge like you guys like many other occasions I have the information to fight the fight when it comes to me I know what to do. Thanks. Nice thread OP

 

Do you people use air dryers on your trucks? Quite common up this way.

 

This may sound stupid, but cardboard worked for me after I parked for the night. my tires were frozen to the cardboard, but not to the ground.

 

No we didn't have dryers. Running north and south alot you always got back in warmer weather. I could see it up there though.

 

Nothing stupid about it. If it works, that's all anybody can ask for. I never thought of it. OTOH, I've been parked in lots that had six plus inches of standing slush on them when I pulled in. Don't think the cardboard would do much good there. It would probably just become a part of the "frozen soup" by morning. . .

 

Had an air dryer on my trucks.

DON'T SET YOUR TRAILER BRAKES IN THE WINTER TIME!!!!

You are going to be there till spring trying to melt the ice in your brakes with a torch! By the time you get one side defrosted the other side will have frozen again!

When you come off the interstate ride your brakes until they are nice and dry. Like someone else said you can do a few laps around the trucks stop this helps too. You want to do this to cool your tires too because if you get into a parking lot that isn't paved underneath the ice then when you park your tires melt through the ice and can cause you to get stuck. Plus hot tires will melt snow and it will freeze back into ice for when you try to pull out in the morning.

A bag of ice melt or kitty litter really goes a long way! Make sure to keep a bag or two on board in the winter. It's a lot easier then throwing chains.

A lot of you new guys just need a winter or two of practice. You will learn all the little tricks for not getting stuck or screwed in the cold. You will also learn what your truck can and can't handle. Knowing your truck is very important in the winter. For you new guys be very careful when fully loaded on ice. Using your brakes extensively can cause your trailer to actually push the cab of your truck right out of the way. Especially at night on a long bridge with black ice.