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

Slushbusters
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=C4ZuecmlFvM

http://www.inrsltd.com/products/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=15

bosch icon wipers

gloves
coveralls or one piece snowsuit
boots
winter jacket
beanie
handwarmers (several pairs)
several blankets in case you are broken down/stranded/run out of fuel/snowed in somewhere
thick wool socks
sweat pants
hoodie
chains
books to read in case you are stranded
plenty of water
extra munchies/snacks/food
walmart plastic bags to put over your mirrors if they arent heated.

and stabilicers for walking on snowy/icy surfaces. keeps you from busting your #####!
http://www.32north.com/3-work

 

A butane lighter to heat up your key for a few seconds can be substituted for lock de-icer. Be careful heating up your windshield to quickly if you have ice on it or its really cold out, a rapid temp change can cause it to crack. Im glad so many of you `like` going into these potentially messy areas. I get to pick where I go, so I will be passing on all of that stuff. I never really saw snow till I drove a truck, love my Florida

 

I have a point for new drivers.

When your in Cheyenne sitting at the FLYING hook.

Watch the back row of trucks. Usually oversized, flatbed,step and RGN. Basically open deck trailers.

If you see us sitting and it's windy don't go playing Rambo to prove your a trucker or listen to that (dm, dispatcher or what ever idiot) is on the phone telling you to drive.
You are there he/she is not. Watch, learn and be patient.

If we are sitting because of weather ,pull up a chair and wait it out with us. Don't think because some yoyo on the phone told you to go. It's not OK.

Think smarter not harder.

Be safe out there and ask questions. A question won't hurt someone. Like a truck can.

 

yeah, i may get my snow removal machines tuned up and ready to go, earlier this year. i already got about 60 pounds of kitty litter stocked up, now i need to buy some rock salts as well. i also got a lawn fertilizer spreader brand new, to help spread the salt/litter mix evenly

also, i plan on (today Columbus Day) to put that all important second coating of polish on the cars. supposed to be about 70 degree's.

 

I met a cop up in Champaign years ago and his retirement plan was to load his snow blower in the bed of his truck and drive south, and when he got south enough where nobody knew what a snow blower was anymore he was gonna retire there.

 

then i guess some where in the middle of South America, is where he will end up.

 

why do I feel as if
I am that guy you're telling them not to be haha. Normally it's not bad headed west until like elk mountain area. Even tho the signs are flashing for no light trailers and gusts.
But if you're headed to Denver and right after the J heading towards Denver it gets realllllllll gusty and the way that i25 is leaning I have seen numerous of trucks rolled over right before the scale.

As for tips I can give you a few

Clean all of your lights with WD-40 the snow won't stick and you won't get rear ended.
Do not apply your trailer brakes when parked just your tractor brakes are enough.
Keep your warm clothes always at hand and near by (just incase you run into a pile up of any kind you can grab your stuff and jump out to safety.(we all seen the Wyoming videos)
Get at least one spare windshield wiper to have in the truck won't hurt you
Buy a bottle of nail polish remover(asceton) just incase your lines freeze.
PLEANTY OF FOOD AND WATER! To last at least a few days... You can never be too safe


That's about the main ones I can tell you

 

Well, he was a cop and there are plenty of corrupt countries down there for him to fit into also. He could move down there and bet people $2000 he is who he says he is

 

In cold weather, below 20 degrees, keep fuel in your truck. Don't be a Beancounter. Do not allow your fuel to go less than a half tank. And if the weather gets so bad that the DOT shuts down the bigroad, get to a fuel stop and top your tanks off. With the roads blocked, the truckstops all run out of fuel in 4 hours or less. If you top your tanks off, great! If you don't make it, you have half a tank. Keep your truck running.

"But Six, our company policy on idling..."

Doesn't mean squat in a state of emergency. Do you know how pathetic you guys look frozen over on the side of the highway?

"C'mon Six, how often does that happen?" I got stuck on a job for 2 weeks in Canada Got stuck in Joplin Mo for a week! Temps went to -16. Got stuck in Alabama for 3 days! 2 days in San Antonio, 1 day in meridian,MS.

If they have to shut the road down, and you don't make it off the highway, you're stuck. Aren't you glad you have a half tank of fuel now? Everyone else is stuck with you. Run your truck. Refer to what the others said about setting the brakes. Keep your marker lights on!!!!!!! Heavy snow makes it dark outside. You will see people that slid into a ditch, they won't be able to run their car. Screw company policy and let them sit in your truck.

Stay out of the rest areas. The snow plows normally pile all the snow into the rest areas. If you are parked in there, you are SOL!

I'm going to tell you guys something that no one else will tell you: in a state of emergency, before the highway patrol shows up, before the snow plows, before rescue and emergency shows up, you're the most important person on scene. The emergency services will be stretched to the limit. When HP rides up, he's going to talk to the drivers. Tell him what you're dealing with, what you need, and what you got covered. Work with the other drivers and keep your radio on.

If this is your first winter, put a CB in your truck. I don't care what your stupid trainer says. That cellphone won't do you any good when the cell towers get KOed. Yeah, no one wants to be stuck on the highway, but it's worlds better than being in a ditch. If you have to be outside for any length of time, you will realize how essential quality insulated boots are.

Say for example, you're a rookie and you're running down the road, the weather goes to hell and the road gets closed. If you're listening to the radio, you will hear the radio buzzing. They will keep repeating instructions. The cops may even start giving out instructions over the radio.they will tell you what mile marker the roads closed at. In the MidWest, they will have barriers come down and flashing lights exiting everyone off the highway. If you are too far away from the exit, and traffic backs up, you're going to spend the night on the shoulder of the road. Like I said, leave your markers on and don't set your trailer brakes.

"Six, isn't this all worse case scenario?"

Yes it is, but the thing is, by the time you realize that little light snow dusting is becoming a major disaster, it's too late. With the way the weather has been in recent years, I will say that things are going to get worse. If you're local, carry an overnight bag and a blanket.

In 1993, this monster ice storm hit the South. I ran into it in Meridian,MS. Interstate was shut down at the 459 loop and traffic was backed up all the way to Tuscaloosa. People were stuck on the side of the road, with nowheres to go for 40 miles. I had my radio on, and so I got off the interstate, raided several atm machines, got a motel room with another driver. Got some groceries and a couple cases of beer. Motel rooms went quick. We had a Bama HP, a drug dealer and his hoochies and some travelers hanging out. There was a Huddle House down the road. We went to work in the Huddle House for food.