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

ICE ROAD TRUCKERS use them on the DALTON

 

oh yeah. I was at a shipper somewhere in minnesota, the guy was trying to back his trailer into a hole, and had it backed in, but got caught up on a very slick spot. it was a tight yard, and i was waiting for him to get backed in, so i could drop my MT. So i get out, i use my entire bottle of kitty litter to give him enough traction, then realize, "...hey, i'm now out of kitty litter, so i had better be careful."

and the kicker?? the driver never once said 'thank you'.

 

in a slick spot like that--just throw your chains under the tires---thats the only way i chain up---

 

I mentioned this before in another thread,but if you are new to winter driving, or if this is your 20th season I think it is important to know how to chain up, and what the requirements in each state are.
I will take one of those Sunday afternoons( befire the game, while I am doing a restart or waiting for a Monday delivery) and chain up in the TS lot. I will know the conditions of my chains, I will reteach myself on what I need to do, and I will know if there is anything I am missing, 2 ea bungee cords per tire. I know everyone does not use them, but I do. a couple of blocks of 2x4's if I am just chaining an outside wheel.
Folks always make fun of me in the truckstop, but I always get a few questions, and almost always get a driver who wants to help...Just for the experience.
I know alot of driver will say If its bad enough to chain up, its bad enough to park. I agree, But many time Throwing iron will get you off that side of Mountian, and I think every driver should at least know how to chain
I wish you all a Safe winter, and Good Health.

Larry

 

thats a good idea mr parker--it always helps to get the chains untangled and repaired before the winter--to me that is the only time to chain up--when you have to just to get out of trouble--when it is that bad-- i find it better just to go to bed and wait rather than fool around slow on the ice---that way i get a rest --wake up and can go at normal speed and probabely catch up to the people who chained up and drove at 35 mph while swating their butts off on the ice

 

Yes very good practise and well worth the time.

 

Winter is a good time to pick full moon nights if you need to do night driving. When there is no moon out there darkness is what it is. Big difference when the moon light is shining down. A loaded truck has more traction than an empty trailer. You can use rubbing alcohol to unfreeze your airlines, take the line off from the air compressor going to the air tanks and pour a quater bottle or so in it. 15 minutes and your running. You`ll need a fairly large cresent wrench. Fuel filters do freeze up. Best to change them regularly " in better weather " and by all means carry a sleeping bag with you, good ski gloves and insulated boots.