How much do you slow down in the rain?

If i'm somewhere where it rains often, like Western Washington, I don't slow down at all. But if I'm somewhere like Nevada, I'm a lot more cautious.

I was taught that oil accumulates on roads during dry spells, and a fresh rain causes it to rise up and create a slick road surface.

 

Depends on the road, rainfall rate, type of road, temperature, last time it rained, and what I have in the boxes behind me.

I pull doubles but on the same 45 MPH road through the lights in the rain I may run 50 or 25 depending on my trailers and the traffic. If I beat the traffic and had a 20 with a 16 I would run 50 - same road with empties and traffic I'd stay back almost to a fault running 25 or 30. There really is no rule to it. The only concrete advice I received and would give is to stay in the right lane if you think there is any chance of missing the light..

Roads are crowned and a four lane road with lights will slope to your right in both lanes unlike an interstate that slopes by lane. Same light same speed in different lanes when braking hard at a light is the difference between bouncing that back box off a curb or cars in the right lane. Same thing applies to a van - just eat it and stay in the right lane on snow or in heavy rain on a 4 lane with lights and if you lock up the trailer you'll hit a curb or pole at the worst..

 

on a hot day and a gentle rain--in the city /urban area its a good idea to slow a bit--it can get pretty greasy at first on the road---on a bike some places are just like ice

 

Thanks man.. No joke, I've purposely slammed my kite into snow banks to see how it would react on US17 and US1 in Va if I spiked the brakes. It goes to the right no matter what because a divided US Highway is pitched to the right or low side when you're in an urban area. All you newer drivers need to keep that in mind..

 

i have had them go to the right--i have had them go to the left--i have even had them stay stright--just depends where the ice is

 

Since I grew up in western Oregon and spent a significant part of my adult life there, I am very familiar with rain. Quite honestly, I would rather have snow than rain. Snow is at least somewhat predictable. With rain, you really don't know how deep that puddle is, whether it really is a puddle or just a wet spot...and what is under it. Your windshield gets greasy from the kickup spray and your wipers seem to only smear the mess around rather than get rid of it. On some road surfaces, you will hydroplane, others, you will remain in contact with the pavement. Some corners are banked poorly and with the addition of a little water, will suck you right over the edge. Some areas have 4-wheeler drivers who handle wet roads well. Others, like Dallas/Ft. Worth area, get their panties all puckered up because someone dumped a 5-gallon bucket of water on the freeway...and do really stupid stuff to prove their inexperience.

The point of this is there are so many factors to consider when driving in rain. The general suggestion to follow would be for wife to slow down in it until she has more road experience to know what to expect...of her truck, her own abilities and the traffic around her.

Take it from a native Webfoot. Be safe out there.

 

Jakebrake can you please explain what you mean by spiking the break to see how it would react? Are you talking about the trailer brake?