Confidence on slick roads for someone new to trucking.

Big rig,the heavier the better

 

I had a similar experience on my 3rd week of being solo. I was going East on I-70 from Denver to Kansas. I started hitting numerous patches of black ice and it scared the bejeezus out of me. I ended up driving for about 35 miles at between about 15 mph and 25 mph before I got to the Petro in Colby, Kansas. By the time I got there, there were between half a dozen to a dozen of us in a little convoy of sorts all creeping along slow like that. It was reassuring to know I wasn't the only one. And, yes other cars and trucks were zooming past us at insane speeds for the conditions. And, we past about 4 of those trucks that ended up on the side of the road in the ditch while we creeper past them.

 

You're better off in a big rig. When driving in winter conditions, the less confidence you have the better off you are. you're always "on your toes" that way. Don't worry about feeling dorky for driving slow and getting your doors blown off, just remember that there's a good chance you'll catch up to them when they're wrapped around a tree.

 

I'll drive a loaded big rig much faster in the snow than I will my 4x4 pickup. Weight is your friend in slick conditions.

Drive your own drive though. I'm a Wisconsin native and grew up on the south shore of Lake Superior in the lake effect snow belt. I have lots of experience in many different types of snow and a good understanding of how temperature effects traction on snow. I can also read winter road conditions far better than most. That means sometimes when you're going slow I might be in the left lane blowing your doors off. Your skill level and mine might not be the same so drive at a level that you feel comfortable with that matches your skills. That way we both make it home safe.

 

I used to run milk up into eastern Wisconsin weekly from northern Michigan.

Been a mariner all my life before I started driving.

Eventually skill -Luck-and Over Confidence will meet that fork in the road in bad weather.

I always chose park it as soon as I could when conditions were turning to Krap.

Live to truck another day.

 

I by far feel more comfortable on bad roads in my rig... That is until the snow is 10+ inches deep, then I'm more comfortable in my pickup.

Dont worry about how others are driving too much... You drive to your own comfort and skill.

 

It ain’t a race.

Slow and steady increases your chances of getting to your destination.

I feel confident in the truck because of its weight and more rubber = better grip. Not sure if it’s scientifically proven but I’m pretty sure slow and steady plays a role in all vehicles driven in bad weather other then high winds. That’s when you Park it.

 

Big rig by far. The primary reason? The 18 speed manual transmission. I’ve ran the 9’s and 10’s, Super10’s, 9Speed Top 2, and the 13. Having the ability to split all the gears makes it feel as if I have much more control and finesse in icy conditions.

 

For me it’s hard to say, I used to go out in a foot of snow for fun in my suv. Now wet roads are a concern to me. On flat ground I really like being 70+ k lbs in the winter.