Dealing with old man winter, a primer on winter driving.

And no one has mentioned the wind factor, it can be just as dangerous and unpredictable as ice.

 

While I agree it isn't just a winter issue, a driver should be mindful of the wind at all times, not just in the winter.

(I can say this because I just came down I-25 and HY-287 its blowing like crazy!)

 

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How true, there have been several bad weather fronts this year causing tornadoes to, like OK area. Wind is unpredictable too.

 

crushed granite chicken/turkey grit works way better than floor dry or cat litter. the turkey grit is a bit more coarse. just about every feed store carries it. do not get oyster shell, not so great

 

Bumping another very informative winter driving thread...

I use jakes in the winter when necessary. The thing to remember is that you only start application of jakes in the low setting, then switch to higher settings as needed and if you have enough traction. The trick is to be hyper vigilant whether you have traction or not.

Remember that without the interlock axle engaged when you apply the throttle you are giving power to only one side of your drives. The opposite is true when you apply the jakes, it will start a yaw (jackknife to the left). In this situation, if you are descending a hill, then disengage the jake immediately and give it a second or so of coasting and then start applying gentle, continuous brakes to bring your speed back down.

Last winter I ran over the Rockies on I-70, lots of runs in the dark and about half the time with no chains required. However, half the time no chains were required I wish I'd chained. Mountains make their own weather. I remember fueling in Denver in shorts and t-shirt weather, then approaching the last few miles and couple thousand feet to the summit of the Eisenhower it became a full out blizzard and the snowplows weren't keeping up. Nowhere to stop and chain on the hill. The westbound descend was a study in absolute concentration.

When I run down that hill I'm taking it below 25 mph and have the inter axle differential locked. That way engaging light jakes will brake both sides of the drives.

Always watch the trailer and make sure it's tracking straight. Any issues and remember that coasting is your friend.

For my main flashlight I prefer something with a powerful beam. Think broiling a steak from 200 yards.

For chaining or other two handed work I always have a headlamp.

THIS is absolutely important for any new driver. If you can find an abandoned lot with some ice or a light covering of snow, then get a feel for how YOUR truck handles. If you are in a new truck, then find out how it handles.

By getting into bad situations and getting myself out of them. In climbing we talked about The Point of Commitment, the moment you can no longer go down and have to go up. Similar concept in driving a truck. One moment everything is fine and the next moment the roads get slick and there is absolutely no safe place to pull over and park. You have no choice but to continue and will learn to deal with it in a hurry. Hopefully you already had a little practice in a parking lot or a skid pad, or at least have prior experience driving a car in slick conditions.

 

I thought Nick got banned.

 

these are the best threads. i am going to try and time my training and orientation so i spend my 5 weeks with the trainer in the most whorrible weather possible (late december into january). i figure I'll learn the most valuable tricks if we're constantly in the sheeat. really excited about CDL driving.

 

I've been in search of a better pair of gloves for chaining, and hope I've found it. I bought a pair of Angler's Gloves from Cabela's. These are Goretex lined neoprene gloves, with "precurved" fingers and a gauntlet that goes up past the wrist. They are very flexible and I can move my fingers well in them. I'm looking forward to throwing some iron to see how they function. Hopefully with the Goretex lining they will stay drier than the last time I tried neoprene gloves for climbing water ice back a few decades ago, that was something of a disaster as the neoprene soaked up the water and froze my fingers. I'll report back after my first chance to use them.

 

No......he stopped posting back in August because of his videos......I THINK (but am not sure) that the issue was they are monetized somehow on Youtube; hence management considered it advertising to post them etc......

Holler at him on Facebook if you want the whole story I guess!!

 

Bumping another good winter reminder thread.