Need advise. Another winter driving question.

Slow down and keep a lot of.distance between and to truck in front.and don't try to.be a super trucker,stay off.the brakes and trest the trottle like its fine china, good luck and stay safe.by driving within your safety zone,.don't.let johnny super trucker force you to speed up just let him.go aroind you that way you can wave to him in the ditch as.you safely pass by him.

 

well have almost 50 yrs combined without an accident and we have NEVER used the johnny bar. .....in snow and ice......maybe we have been doin it wrong all these years

 

Your in east Texas and probably have drove van all this time. Go up to Canada and drop stuff at mines or how about make runs to Kamloops (in the winter) across the cochalia and then come back and tell me how much great experience you have. Or how about run to Alaska in the winter? I have so dont tell me how great you think you are. I dont think im great but I do give much respect to Canadian drivers as I know first hand what the deal with. I have used the jonny bar and it sure doesnt make me embarrassed to say so, at least I know a good use for it,

 

well i am not gonna argue with you...but i NOW live in TX but have driven ALL over including running canada quite a bit IN winter..have pulled doubles, flat, reefer and cows...we lived in MI for 7 years and ran canada on a weekly basis...i am just saying we have never used it in that manner...i didnt tell you how great i think i am...dont be so defensive...i am entitled to my opinion...but i guess after your 6 years,you would know more than me...

 

Ya'll are missing the point of why the gear selection matters. It's not about maintaining traction; what gear you're in doesn't change how much power it takes to maintain speed. When gear selection matters is when the tires break loose! If the engine is down near torque peak, the driveline will accelerate much faster than if the engine is up where torque is falling off rapidly. In other words, it tends to be easier to control spin outs at higher rpm because it's not getting away as quickly as it would near torque peak.

Now with that said, this is really only an issue if your running right on the edge of traction, which normally only happens on glare ice. Usually (but not always,) on snow, visibility keeps your speed down so that you're not on the verge of spinning.

The best article I've ever seen on this was actually about motorcycle racing. They were exploring how the Ducatis with inferior HP were faster than the Japanese. And it came down to controllability... the Ducks were able to slide their rears in a much more controlled manner because they were operating in the rpm range where the torque was dropping off quickly, and the Japs were very near torque peak. A minor loss of traction on a Jap bike sent the rpm soaring, while the Ducks just eased up a bit and kept right on truckin'! For those of you who have never ridden, a big rear wheel slide on a bike often ends in a 'high-side,' where the rider cuts power, the rear regains traction, and the bike is pitched violently upward by the sudden grip of the rear. Emphasis on "violent."

So for the original question: If you're operating at the edge of traction, use the lower gear, as it will be easier to regain traction when they do spin. If you're just limited by visibility, traffic, or comfort level, use what gear you want, because traction isn't the issue.

Class Dismissed!

 

wait....what??? lol

 

I shoulda been a teacher or a preacher, huh?

 

If ya didnt flaunt your years of experience like ya do and act like I dont know what im doing after just my piddly 6 years then maybe I might not get so defensive. Why dont ya add something positive to the thread with all those years of expericence instead of trying to step on someone's toes because you have 50 yrs combined and they dont. Lets hear YOUR tips and tricks and how YOU would try to keep yourself out of a possible jacknife which would be a help to lesser experienced folks instead of being a jackwagon