How do you handle high winds?

I handle high winds just fine..But my Tarps Call me every name in the Book...

When i get to where Im going...They'll ask me for a couple Band-aids

 

@w.h.o , you are totally correct, man. Our winds can get pretty strong in the valleys here in Ohio, and when I hauled vans in the past, with corrugated and single-screws no less, there were days that I knew "when to hold' em, and when to fold' em." Same when I hauled twins for Fedex/Linehaul back in the day.
@stayinback , true man. As long as you have the weight under those tarps, and they don't catch wind like Mary Poppins.
Like that tripod I hauled a while back for United, if winds were the case I would've been SOL. I respect the heck outta you OS/OD guys; I do it on occasion when asphalt and the like isn't moving much.
Tanks, even empty, are less blow-over prone than the dry vans, OP. Unlike gas or food-grade, asphalt usually leaves a heel. It helps.
Same with Flat's.. Kinda like the Japanese kite technology.
@Dustyroads38, I hear you there, man. Almost wish the FMCSA would mandate CB's instead of the #### HOS that they don't even understand. Smartphone apps are great, but many aren't hands free, and QC's are worthless regarding weather/conditions/incidents, if nobody on the "other end" is savvy enough to keep us posted 32/7. I'm still on paper logs, LEGALLY, finally (lol) for the time being, but did QC with companies in the past. They are as good as your FM / dispo.

 

I'm having a senior moment because I can't remember where this happened. I think it was on I-10 just east of the NM/Arizona border. I was empty and the wind was so strong it lifted one side of my truck up. It hit me so fast I did not have time to react.

 

An empty 28 foot will blow over before an empty 53 foot will. A 40 mph wind gust with empties should cause you to slow down. I pull doubles and if my back box has 13,000 pounds I should be okay with a 45 mph wind gust as long as I am going 55 mph.

If you are in Wyoming on I-80 Elk Mountain can be very windy. At Walcott to Laramie you can run US-30 and there is less wind there usually but it will still be windy.

 

Delete please.

 

When you can read the company logo on the side of your trailer in the mirror, it's time to consider pulling over.

 

The highlighted is definitely something I'd call "famous last words". As soon as a driver is uncomfortable driving the truck, it becomes unsafe. Confidence is central to the safe control of the vehicle.

No matter what some people might tell you, taking a quick break and letting some extreme weather calm down a bit is far better for you, the company and the customer, than trying to push through it, and like you said get everyone and everything in trouble.

One of things that I've always kept at the centre of my driving was told to me in school and by my trainers at my company: "No load is worth your life". If you feel it's unsafe. Pull over and wait till you feel safe again. Your company might get angry, the customer might get angry, but is your life worth it?

 

That's a driver! Wow!

I've never shut down for wind but I've thought hard about it.

 

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