Dealing with high wind

I haul 53ft dry van and maybe reefer every now and then. If I am empty with heavy winds, I will slip the tandems in the back as far to the rear as I can. I won't touch the fifth wheel because pushing that back I feel like wind has a worst effect on the trailer with the bigger gap between the tractor/trailer. My trailers usually have skirts on them, so if its icy. Going faster tends to be a bad idea because the angle and speed in which the wind is coming from varies because of turns and obstructions on the sides of the roads. I promised myself I would not risk my life for a deadline or piece of merchandise. So I tend to be overly cautious and don't drive out of control. This is my opinion and nothing more. Don't risk it. Going faster is nice for time but if you have a moment where the wind is obstructed from the road and you come out from that obstruction to a wind tunnel spot where gusts are higher. We all know you can't make a exit if you miss your turn, in this case-- your moment to correct it and stay on the road.

 

Your the driver it is your call to shut down if the wind is too much I would choose the safety of myself and others on the road than the company. As far as tips I don't have any just be careful and slow it down

 

I remember years back coming out of Las Vegas on rt 95 and the winds where whipping through the valley. I was going about 55-60 and in a flash a huge gust hit me straight on the side and i was INSTANTLY halfway in the breakdown lane. Scared the daylights out of me. I look at it now and say dam im happy i didn't try to over correct it. I just keep on creeping down the road as i tried not to have a heart attack.

 

Shutting down is ALWAYS an option.
And it is the driver's call to make.

Just keep in mind...
If you shut down you might get fired for doing so.
If you shut down, you might save someone's life - as well as your own.

Which would you rather 'live' with?

 

I have a real hard time in dealing with this last sentence in your post. Nobody is out there but you, and nobody is hanging their backside out but you. I understand what you are saying, particularly if you happen to work for UPS.

But I can pretty much guarantee you that if you lay one or both of your trailers over, it will be YOUR FAULT in the eyes of your company.

Are both trailers empty, or just the pup? If it is just the pup, is it possible to drop it somewhere, to be picked up later? If both long box and pup are empty, is it STILL possible to drop the pup? The long box is more stable, and should be a little bit safer to pull than both trailers.

Another question you have to ask yourself, (because you KNOW your dispatch is going to be asking it,) is it really as bad as it seems, or am I just a bit nervous. You are the only one who can make the decision to go or not. And no matter what, you are likely to be second guessed by SOMEBODY. . .

 

You can't be fired for that fmcsa rules give the driver control of the vehicle if you don't feel safe to drive you don't have to if they do fire you I smell a sweet payday

 

They will just say they fired you for violating company policy and they will pick one and say that is what you violated and if you work or live in an "at will state", well, they can just fire you for smiling.

Better be able to prove that they fired you for a safety reason.

 

Tell your co driver he has rocks for brains.What do you mean shutting down is not an option.If you feel unsafe then shut down or let mr know it all co driver take over.Now me I would drive the high winds but thats just me.You drive the speed you feel most comfortable with.Don't listen to someone else,you're the one driving.I drive a day cab and have to tackle high winds almost every day.Today was one of those days.I have drove thru Wyoming with high wind warnings and could'nt tell their were high winds.Just stay close to the shoulder.Keep your tires hugging that line on the shouder because your trl has a tendency to fishtail especially in high winds.You dont want your trl ending up in the other lane and hit somebody.So always hug the shoulder line.

 

So if you are on a divided highway, two lanes on each side. Wind hitting you on the passenger side and you want to drive slow, would you dive slow in the left lane, so if you tip over it will not be on something on your left?

Mikeeee