Its that time of year again!!!

I don't need no stink'n chains! Back during the stoneage we'd run barefoot till ya spun out then throw the Iron. Those days are long gone. When in doubt chain it up. Practice is key to throwing Iron. Experienced Winter mountain driver can chain a truck up in 25 minutes.

 

This will be my first winter of real driving. My schooling was in chicago winter last year...

At orientation they said, "the feds require us to have chains. But if you need chains, get off the road!"

I am assuming the reality is that "Safety Dept" wants us off the road.
But "Dispatch" wants the load there... On time!

Mikeeee

 

Company policy is to shut down if the weather is so bad that chains are required. If dispatch wants to fight about it, they can take it up with Safety.

My personal policy is to stay in flat parts of the country during the winter anyway. I get paid by the load, and it would take one hell of a load to convince me to deal with a blizzard in mountain country.

 

I drove Wolf Creek Pass last Saturday. It was about 40 degrees, sunny and no funny white stuff anywhere.

It snowed up there so much yesterday that THEY OPENED THE SKI RUNS TODAY!!!

That time of year has very definitely arrived.

 

Yeap I went thru there last Friday, today I was cruizing around Monument teaching my 15 year old how to drive in the snow. Calling for 70 on Tuesday here gotta love Colorado this time of year

 

I'll be running 160 Sunday night and 550 Monday afternoon, guarenteed to chain up at some point

 

25 minutes? #####, you must be getting old, I can put down my chain boards, put on 4 singles, tighten-em, bungies, put the chain boards back, and be back in the truck and rolling in 20 minutes.

 

Hell I don't even carry singles just triples and can put them all the way around my tridrive in 20 minutes. What are chain boards?

 

Singles are for steer/drag chains not drivers and we chain up a few more axles than 5. I am getting old but I don't wear my slippers to chain up in the mud like some truckers. Hay haulhand he's got a chain board.

 

I have never put chains on, but watched on T.V.LOL how they do it. I ran local for 38 years in Chicago. Sometimes, we just stay home, if its real bad outside. Driving a Single axle Day cab, with maybe 3k lbs on the trailer, is a death trap. The slightest wind WILL snap that cab. I never jackknifed a truck before, but came real close, I pulled very lightly on the trailer hand valve, and gave the gas peddle just enough power to pull forward and at the same time the trailer pulled back, straightening me out. In my opinion, pure luck.