Driving an automatic on icy roads and taking off on hills?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by OldeSkool, Nov 21, 2024.

  1. Oxbow

    Oxbow Road Train Member

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    Let me guess - you don't make a habit of pulling into a snow covered lot and just setting the brakes, rather than waiting a few minutes and them moving a foot or so, repeating as necessary until the tires cool a bit. I also would be that you do not set the trailer brakes when there is snow/water that can run down on them. Some guys talk about dragging with the trailer brakes on a bit to dry them out before parking, but I always had better luck just trying not to use them much and leaving them released when parking, assuming it was reasonably flat.
     
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  3. '88K100

    '88K100 Road Train Member

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    I have 12 speed in Cascadia,,only use manual on bush roads to avoid using brakes..never used manual mode on the highway regardless of ice or snow. The 12 speed is very impressive pulling steep grades even when snow covered…it shifts fast enough which was not the case with the earlier 13 speed autos.
    I’ve had autos the better part of the past 10 years,,,i had manuals the previous 34 years and don’t miss them at all
     
  4. BlackjackCo

    BlackjackCo Light Load Member

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    I never set trailer brakes even on non-flat areas. But I still will do the park let everything cool down (not that I've ever really got the brakes hot) and roll forward again after about 30 minutes. So far that's always worked for me.
     
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  5. D.Tibbitt

    D.Tibbitt Road Train Member

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    Gettin' down westbound
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    I drove a couple autos. Outside of being able to drink coffee while getting on the interstate, I find them very boring... lol

    They also suck terribly bad when getting offroad. But maybe that's just splitting hairs since most aren't going to find themselves in places I used to go .

    There's nothing better then banging thru the gears pulling a mountain pass
     
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  6. Long FLD

    Long FLD Road Train Member

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    I recall many nights parking on a level spot and not setting any brakes because even the truck had a ton of snow packed on it. Just toss it in 3rd gear, cut the truck off, fire up the bunk heater, and go to bed. Can’t really go to that extreme in an auto but there are definitely ways to park that can benefit you when it’s times to leave.
     
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  7. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    Definitely sucks in the construction business.
     
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  8. OldeSkool

    OldeSkool Road Train Member

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    IMG_1230.jpeg Well the icy roads are beginning for me lol. Nothing too bad yet.
     
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