A few cold weather tips

I run Cheyenne and Denver to Wamsutter almost 5 days a week, usually 117000 loaded, 37500 coming back empty. Recently those signs seem to be set a little high, maybe slow to get updated, for road conditions. Some nights there are times where they are displaying say 65, but a safe speed might be around 45. But it has also gone the other way...set too low. Especially coming up Dana and dropping down in Rattlesnake, road is dry and clear, very light wind, but speeds are down to 55. Elk Mountain, say 252 to 276, can be really bad, and change really fast this time of year. Even if the signs say 75, I'm still on alert for iffy spots since things can change fast around here.

 

Reasons why I hit 4-ways:

- I'm slowing down to 45 mph or less on a freeway. Many states require 4-ways at 40 mph or less. This is a courtesy to approaching drivers and helps notify them they are approaching a vehicle that is going slower than normal.

- If I'm approaching a hazard and there are vehicles behind me that don't have a chance to see it yet. Debris in the road, roadside emergency vehicles, or stopped traffic ahead are examples of hazards.

- Fog or whiteout conditions (which will often mean I'm traveling much slower than the posted speed limit).

I also employ the 4-ways if I have someone with a serious case of ARS on my tail (Anal Remora Syndrome). This sometimes works and they will back off.

 

One word sums it up: coast. I'll have light throttle approaching any bridge that may be iced over, then back off on the throttle and coast through it. This takes away any issues with either throttle or brakes causing the wheels to be turning at a different rate of speed than my normal forward motion.

This attention to not making any sudden changes in speed also applies to turning in icy conditions. Turn VERY slowly. I like to have "soft hands" on the wheel in icy conditions to have maximum feel for any tendency for the wheel to get squirrely.

When approaching an icy bridge on a turn I like to steer a little bit sharper as I approach the bridge, to move to the inside of my lane. Then as I get on the bridge I coast and allow myself to fade out to the center or outer part of the lane in the turn as necessary to maintain some semblance of traction. Again, soft hands to feel the tendency of the steering wheel to get loose. Steer to the outside of turn slightly if I feel it getting loose.

 

When you drain the fuel water separator catch the fuel in a old bottle and use that fuel in the jaws and on the top plate of the fifth wheel, the fuel helps to keep the grease from thickening. Thick grease in the jaws can interfere with the locking mechanism and prevent it from properly locking.

 

Run the truck. Every truck manufacturer has a heater system for the DEF fluid. While the DEF will freeze, the tank heater will thaw it out in a short period of time.

 

somebody has some explaining to do

 

Everyone has different driving habits and loads...i might have 48000 on the trailer so I can go 60 on the ice where someone else might have 15000 on the trailer and have to go 45....i don't see the point of going anywhere if u driving 15 or 20 mph...Unless u trying to run out the storm...but fact of the matter is no one can determine safe for the next driver...so do your job and let the next driver do his

 

I was driving a few years ago across Kansas, this guy passed me, the right side wheels on the trailer were flopping all over the place, tearing up the trailer, I pulled over as far as I could blew the horn and flashed my lights, he flashed his and carried on I slowed down to dodge some pieces the wheel and hub finally came off, I thought the trailer was going to flip when the came out and jacked up the back end then dropped, the trailer swerved around, The tires went rolling out into a field. He never slowed down, it was about 50 miles to the next exit, we stopped for lunch, at a big truck stop, I asked the shop guy if he saw a trailer with a wheel set missing, he did not. It was at least 150 miles to the weight scale, there he was, parked after the scale, I told him were the wheel came off, by the mile post.
Just a thought

 

If you know you'll be driving in snowy conditions, spray a little wd40 on your tail lights & conspicuity tape (The snow won't stick to it).

 

I had a three digit tractor made. Slow your happy behind down! Your not that good, I am not either. Dispatch is sitting in a warm office. He might miss a do nut. Your on 40 tons of steel. Don't take chances.
I'm safety, dispatchers hate me. I'm driver. Dead drivers don't need Money. They go home, you go home also. They come back to their job. Your family greaves your loss. If it ain't right park it. Way it is.