High Winds

Not tryin' to preach or sound like "SuperTrucker"---just sharing lessons learned in the past. That tip about "riding the gap" is a good one, something I consciously trained myself to do when hauling Flammable Liquids across the U.S. in the dead of winter. Other hands here have equally good tips for new and experienced drivers... personally, I never stop learning in this industry, because there's so much to know. I suppose that's what keeps it interesting, the never-ending education.

 

Ya know, before I sign off for the night, I should elaborate with regard to my policy of "riding the gap." Obviously, no driver can stay in this gap forever, especially in the city, but a driver can MAXIMIZE TIME SPENT IN THE GAP, thereby reducing risks and avoiding potentially dangerous situations. I do this in my four-wheeler as well, backing out of it or mashing on it as necessary in order to maintain a sizable space cushion around my vehicle. WTF, why NOT do this, as it greatly reduces the odds of being dragged into a wreck when some clown loses it. I'm a guy who likes his space, especially out front... although it's also good to have a fast truck with a strong motor, so you can mash on it and get away from those inexperienced drivers who want to camp out alongside your rig. Can't stress the importance of "riding the gap" enough to those drivers just starting out... in the wintertime, when roads ice up and the truck starts sliding around, you'll be thankful to have that additional "elbow room" available. Okay, that's my spiel, no point in beating a dead horse... if this tip keeps one driver from heller grief, then it will have served it's purpose. Adios! "Bedtime for Bonzo..."

 

No, I'm talking about space all around you, although the space out front is usually most important.

 

if you think about it, you've got a 9 ft high trailer (guessing) and 53 ft long....thats about 450 square feet of 'sail'. Yeah, you're going to feel it...loaded or MT. Though the lighter you are, the more you'll sway.

and it wears you out. Just today i ran from Denver to Rapid City, SD...and I-25 thru Wyoming felt like i had drove 7 hrs by the time i turned onto hwy 18. Only thing you can do is take it slow. If the gusts get too high, you'll know it....and then its time to park it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yf-F8AvQqOQ

 

Really dont know why this driver was shooting video in HIS truck, when the same wind was making it hard for him to maintain lane control...but then again, he must be a super trucker. Cool video though. Dunno if that was skill, or just luck....but it works. Wind lifts the trailer, will make your truck turn away from the trailer, and the driver turns hard right and hits the brakes? yeah.....wind isnt nothing to mess with...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBr1ROzOB3Y

 

What if you're not parked in a legal parking space?

 

Doubles and triples are usually so light that they'll be the first ones to go. I remember last winter there was high wind going north in Indiana. In addition to a set of doubles blown over, someone's container came off the transport frame, and I was watching a SWift driver where he had trailer tandems off the ground, the wind was that strong. I was able to block him for a bit, but he wouldn't turn on his CB and he he kept speeding up, so I gave up. I was loaded to gross with beer, so I wasn't as wobbly. We ended up parking it and getting a room that night, it was too risky to keep going.

Wind's scary stuff. And if you get a microburst out of nowhere... it'll knock you right over. Had it happen to one of our company's trucks a few years back. totaled truck and trainer, and broke the driver's arm.

 

what if you're parked in an illegal parking space?