Newbies!!! It's almost winter!!! Here's some tips.

Hey door slammers, leave the sandals at home...its winter time!

 

They're more comfortable to drive in.

 

I wear my Merrell slippers yaer round, comfy, waterproof, good traction, if the snow is above my ankles, then I put on my boots

 

I'm not going to totally argue with this post HOWEVER ... If I'm comfortable driving 45 MPH on a given road, I'm not going to drive a 100 miles behind someone who is comfortable driving 35 MPH. I refuse to let the poorest common denominator tell me how fast I can drive. I said that to say this. If you're on a bad snow-covered interstate and the left lane is much worse than the right and someone get's in the left lane to "pass" ... help the driver out and slow down temporarily so he doesn't have to drive faster than he/she wants in a deep snow situation in order to get around you.

I don't know where this notion got started that if a driver passes a slower driver on icy roads, that passing driver is automatically labeled a careless, wild driver who is bound to crash later. I'm not saying drive faster than you're comfortable, i'm saying be considerate and understand some drivers are heavier, have better traction, and have more experience in winter driving and as such, be considerate and don't cop an attitude.

Yes, there are A FEW who drive too fast, regardless of their traction situation, schedule, or their experience. But there are very few of these out there because they wash themselves out very quickly once they reach this level of boldness.

 

Because more times than not, the fool passing when conditions don't warrant it, ends up in the ditch down the road, either blocking traffic entirely, or slowing it down.

 

POSTED THIS IN DOWNHILL GRADES AS WELL!
Ok guys Good thread. here it comes. BUT
dont forget the simple things! for all you NEWBIES (dont mean that in a bad way) we have all been there. Jesus sandles and shorts dont work below 30 deg!
stock food and water and a heat sorce, gettin stuck somewhere with no services is no fun and can hurt or kill you. pack extra clothes and boots snow and ice are wet. a shovel will get you unstuck. when you park at night move your truck foward and back a few times before you set your brakes. personal choice i never set my trailer brakes in the winter, dont set the tractor brakes either for a few let the heat of the drums dry off the brakes and get some of the water out.(stops the linings from freezing to the drums)! carry a large hammer with you works if your brakes freeze to the drums, i also carry a small tourch.
Remeber your FM (fleet manager) is not in the truck! your driving it make the right choice about whether to stop or drive on. Dont worry about the SPEED JOKIES go as fast as you feel safe and still control the truck. Down hill be easy on the brakes especialy in curves and offramps. Remeber ice has NO friends! chains are a great tool but they dont make you bullet proof! dont be embarised to ask an older driver for some advice in the TS or on the CB (yea alot of us still use those things. Be wearry of the drive who tells you its just snow drive it! KEEP IT SAFE AND I HOPE THESE WORDS HELP YOU

 

Oh BTW both of you have valid points! the most important one is dont drive beyond your skills or road conditions

 

I carry a one gallon container full of chicken grit. Works well if youre spinning on a slick spot.

De-icer that you spray on your lights helps keep them clear of snow.

 

Surprised no one has said it.

Don't eat yellow snow

 

Good topic. Thanks guys.