My fear, winter driving.

This ^^^

No one ever taught me anything about winter driving either, and I hate to say it but there’s only so much you can really teach a person anyway. You will get the best education through experience. And as long as you understand the basics like slow the F down, don’t tailgate, follow the chain laws, etc. you will learn all the other tricks as you go.

A couple tips that I have taught myself:

Small movements. Most of the accidents I have seen come from people trying to overcorrect a skid. Slamming on the brakes and turning hard are big no-nos. Let off the throttle, and GENTLY steer away from the skid.

Use the rumble strip for traction. Don’t be one of those idiots who spins out in the middle of the road climbing a hill and stops all traffic for hours. Stay to the right, put your tires on the rumble strip, and that will give you some extra traction to climb that hill.

Observe what others are doing and not doing. If you are stuck in a line of traffic going 35 mph in the slow lane but the passing lane is wide open, there’s probably a reason it’s wide open. Be patient, follow suit. Better to arrive a little late than end up in the median or worse, shutting down the interstate because your trailer is laying on its side across all 4 lanes.

I’m sure there are countless other winter driving tips in various threads across the forum. Study up and have some patience and respect. You’ll be fine.

 

I have no fear of driving in winter weather but I respect it much. Those days are past me now(I don't drive in icy conditions) I always been the one in control of my own steering wheel.
I understand the physics of the matter what does it matter if you have your 80k lbs equipment, your big tire 4x4, your all traction fast car on "no traction icy road" a slipping mess. You see it over & over again every year this year Virginia I-95. You all can have the road during those times what I'm carrying at that important to join you.
I'm still making my money it has not affected me one bit to sit by until the roads are clear(it's bad enough with the "super drivers" on dry conditions) All the best may your "skates" never fail you

 

If you're in Tennessee, consider TLD Logistics. TLD will train you and is hiring for a new Southern-based fleet at the moment as well. PM me for more info.

 

Original poster this right here is some great advice. I had to drive -6° an incoming blizzard, a good strong wind in the road a sheet of ice the other day. With an empty trailer nonetheless. I didn’t realize how slick the roads were till I got out on the interstate. They had not sanded or salted anything yet. As soon as I came down the on-ramp I felt my trailer wiggling a bit behind me. I gave it a little throttle just as a test and yep, my wheels spinner. My flashers came on and I drove 35 miles at about 20 mph. Most of the truckers stayed about my speed but a couple came flying by at 50+ miles per hour. And you guessed it. 5 miles up the road three of them were in the ditch all jackknifed one of them on their side.
You are the captain of the ship, you don’t feel safe, stop! Period! I’ve driven in the ice and snow all my life, but not in a big rig. This is my third winter in a big rig. And it’s a whole different ballgame. Reason being is because when that trailer slides out from behind you, you are completely at its mercy and it’s gonna take you wherever it wants to take you.

my fear in winter driving is coming down the mountain with twists and turns and you hit a patch of ice. You’re screwed in that instance. Saw that one the other day as well. Two trucks side-by-side, one passing the other going to fast. He slid into the truck to his right and they both went in the ditch.

I’ve been out here four years, I haven’t asked to stop or told dispatch I’m gonna stop yet. But I know it’s coming. And I think it’s going to be this winter. If it gets too bad, it’s hot chocolate, mashmellows and Netflix until I feel it’s safe!

 

If you're timid about winter driving, Swift is a good place!! I've been driving for them for over 2 years now. The number 1 thing I like about Swift is that if I am uncomfortable with weather and/or road conditions, they have no problem with me parking it instead. I have parked for conditions numerous times and never had any push back, hint of coercion or retaliation for doing so. And, those conditions were by my assessment. Other drivers might have been rolling, but I didn't feel it was safe for me due to my lack of experience and timid nature about stuff to begin with. In example, when you take there chaining class, the first thing the guy says is I'm gonna teach you how to do something we never want you to do. Their policy is the only time a driver should chain is to advance to a safe parking spot to wait out conditions. And, they strongly prefer you keep better track of potential chaining conditions so you never get there to begin with.
Whereever you end up, best of luck and I hope you find a place that you like and works for you. I thought I'd probably start at Swift and after a year or so move elsewhere. But, for lots of reasons, I've decided to stay with them. They work well for me and I'm happy with them.
FYI: I gave reason number 1 for liking Swift. Reason 2 is Swift has terminals in alot of places that can be a real pain to find parking. Seattle, Portland, Sacramento, Phoenix, Denver, and many more places can be a pain to find parking. Swift has terminals at these places, I just go there and park. Reason 3. If I have a truck or tire problem, I make 1 phone call, 24/7/365, and they figure out where to get the needed help and either send me there or send help to me. There are other reasons concerning my specific mesh with driver leader, planners, terminal manager, etc. But, those are specific to me and may vary with different terminals and their folks.

 

I'm a southern boy too, grew up in Tennessee. It's not as bad as you think, especially now because many states will close the road if it gets too bad. It don't really make a difference when you train because at some point, you'll come across it..I was in a trainers truck during the winter. Its going to be scary at times, even as you gain experience. Always keep an eye on the weather, and anticipate weather conditions on your route. Should the conditions worsen, take it slow. Also, it's OK to park if it gets to treacherous. I will do that if I have time an give the plow trucks room to clean it up. It'll be fine though. It ain't like it'll snow everyday during winter

 

When you are pulling the trailer you are in control vs when the trailer is pushing your truck, then the trailer is in control. You don't want the trailer to be in control.

A skidding or spinning tire will always want to come around to the front. If trailer tire locks up it can make trailer slide sideways. If drives tire locks up or spins from touch power from engine. It will want to come to front and can start a jackknife. If that happens you get the tires rolling by taking foot off the brakes or the throttle to stop engine from putting so much power to drive tires. Today we have ABS and Traction Control and the computers on the truck and trailer can see this and automatically limit engine power and or the brakes.

Don't use the Jake brakes in snow and ice or the cruise control.

 

In snow and ice drive like you have no brakes. You drive slow enough, and stay far enough behind other vehicle, so you can coast to a stop. You don't drive as fast as everyone else.You drive as slow as you need to never touch your brakes. CDL schools, trucking companies, and trainers have taught new driver much dumber than you and with much less ability than you. They can teach you if you will listen and learn.. I'm from middle TN and worked mostly in the South, Midwest, East. I spent the last year or so out in the Pacific Northwest in the mountains and snow. If you develop good habits you can drive anywhere. Don't psych yourself out of making a living, but don't let ANYONE, including you, push you to do things too fast.

 

Your company wants you working all 12 months. You can work all 12 months. You SHOULD work all 12 months. You've made bad weather into some 10 foot tall monster that is ready to attack you. It's just something in the world. You can drive through it if you go slow and mind your manners.

 

If I can do it you can do it. I am from Alabama and had rarely ever driven on ice. It's not as hard as you think , trust yourself, go slow and you will be fine. I have driven it all the past six years. All the mountains, Montana,. Colorado, all the fun winter festivities and shenanigans.of Wyoming and everywhere else like many others on this board. Had to chain only once in Montana just because I had to to get off the mountain. Really it's the wind and Ice combination together that will pucker your bungolhoolio more than anything. ..go slow!!
Stay off the icy roads at night. At anytime if you don't feel safe, don't drive, simple as that. To me Wyoming is by far more dangerous in the winter because of the ice, wind, and other reckless truck drivers.
I once got stuck on a back two lane road after picking up at an apple orchard in Washington state. There was nowhere to pull off without getting stuck in the snow so I ended up driving over 250 miles at night. Right before it was over I ended up going down a steep icy grade before I finally made it to Spokane. It was a hell of a night and a rookie mistake because I could have easily gotten on Int 90 jist an hour out of the orchard but for some stupid reason chose another two lane route. The road had steep drop offs on both sides in a lot of places., I got out of there just by going slow and I had 40,000 lbs on there . Actually you will feel safer in the semi out there in winter than you ever will in a car..at least I do. You got more weight holding you down on the road. Speed is the main thing that will get you in the winter. I drove five of six Winters out there with no.incidents, knock on wood, trust yourself, be careful, stay safe, don't worry about it, concentrate, nothing to stress over, and you will do fine.