Driving in the snow

try not to use your jake break

 

Chains IMO are to be used to get you out of trouble....Not getting into trouble....

Also....If you can't walk on the ribbon without slipping.....Chains won't help.....


I had my drives and X-Chained on my wagon trying to get up a 6* grade to deliver custom windows to a $50 Million mansion in Aspen last winter.....All I could do was chew up the asphalt.....

I backed the rig down for a mile and half down a winding road....With Pissed off 4-Wheelers....A contractor pulling his hair out....And Two DOT in complete amazement that I backed down without sliding off.....

Once the Sun came out.....The road cleared....Made the drop........


Now...Had I got out and walked or rather, tried to walk that grade....I would have never even started that climb.....

 

Also.....CDOT is no longer messing around......If you are running to Denver on 70....Have Chains...

No Chains....You get pulled...You get fined.....

You get stuck without chains or worse, get into an accident without chains....Say goodbye to your paycheck for awhile.....

 

I park...Set the tractor brakes only....Then I wait about a half an hour if over 20*....Ten-fifteen minutes if below 20*....Roll back and forth.......That way your tires which after running all day will have cooled down and you won't get stuck.....

If you just park it and not move....The heat from the tires will melt the snow.....After a few hours that melted snow refreezes........I don't have to draw a picture for that bad ending.......

 

Also.....Keep Wiper-wash rated for below freezing full in the reservoir....And have an extra gallon with you....


Now for you guys running from Cali to snow country.....

It is against the law in Cali to have alcohol based wiper-wash.....

I haven't seen it yet...But I have heard drivers calling into RoadDog saying they were popped by the CARB Nazi's for having alcohol based wiper-wash.....

 

I like my company's motto. "We are required to have chains on the truck. But if you need to chain, then park it. A late load is better than a wrecked load."

Mikeeee

 

FYI
Rubbing Alcohol is cut with WATER. You are asking for trouble dropping that in your trailer lines. Get real Brake Line alcohol from a truck supply.

Best thing to do is run it thru your trailer before parking for the night. Just pop your service line gladhand and pour some in, reconnect and go back in the cab and hit your brakes a few times to get the alcohol to the back of the trailer. You should be able to smell alcohol back there after releasing a few times.

I'll never forget the first time running snow...
1974 I was 18. Running I-80 from Chicago back to NY. Yeah I know, 18 and out of state running the road. Nobody checked that stuff back then. Started snowing around Clearfield, PA. Coming down Snowshoe I about ##### my pants 10 times over. 1973 Cabover Pete. pulling a Tank Trailer, flammable. Ahh the memories.

 

isn't there some reason not to put the alcohol in the new lines. was told something about the lines can't handle it?

mechanics rumor ?

 

The alcohol with dry rot the lines faster. The brake line anti-freeze is lubricated and will not damage the system.

 

even us old veterans can learn a thing or two. thnx.