No to snow

It's just a couple of Snowflakes,you won't melt. When in doubt throw Iron. Weight is your friend,it can also be your enemy. Like daddy use to say"It's a hella lot easier to speed up than slow down if ya catch my drift.

 

I worry about driving in snow and ice myself. We got a couple inches here in SC last winter and it shut the whole dam state down for 5 days! I mean there wasn't a loaf of bread or a gallon of milk to be had. We just can't deal with it. I can see how being heavy would give you some grip. Hel I tried to leave the house in my old F-150 and just slid everywhere. Dam near had a heart attack. Hopefully it comes with experience. You guys that can handle it get my respect.

 

Pick-ups are the worst....no weight over the drive (traction) tires.....put some of that snow in that bed, chain up the tires (rear) and see the difference.

Weight equals traction!

 

Yeah, after I crashed my way to mom's house, I put some cinder blocks in the bed and that helped out a lot. We just can't deal with winter weather down here. As soon as a CHANCE of snow is mentioned the pandamonium starts. I'm sure the northerners are laughing at us. That's ok. We laugh at them when ever they experience a "heatwave".

 

In February 2010, the Dallas/ Ft. Worth metropolitan area received over 30" of snow in less than 24 hours. I would not call that a dusting. I can also tell that you have never been in Texas during the winter. They say that if you can survive an Amarillo, TX winter, you can survive anywhere. They are right.

 

Your hesitation is very understandable Joshua. But remember that every driver of every truck out there, went through the same doubts that you have. Now of course some "supertrucker" will undoubtedly come on here bragging about how they "ain't never been askeeret of nuthin'!" Just take that for the bull crap that it is.

We all had to learn to drive on snow and ice. You actually have it better than folks who have NEVER driven on it. You will learn to handle your rig, and you will be surprised at how well it will do.

If you really believe you won't be able to, or will choose not to drive in bad weather, then you are in the wrong career path. You will limit yourself to the point that you will be virtually useless to the industry or to an employer.

The big thing is just like it is in your car. "EASY DOES IT!" This is true of stopping, starting, turning and speed. Don't drive over your head, EVER. If someone starts giving you a ration because you are "driving too slow," just ignore it. Do what you are comfortable with. Yes, at first you will be nervous, but as you gain experience, that will go away.

Forget you have jake brakes and cruise control. They are NOT your friend in bad weather. No matter what some folks are going to say.

If you have any common sense at all, you should be just fine.

 

Think about how many car accidents you vs. trucks, and then consider the average truck goes aprox. 125,000-150,000 per year while the car does 12-15,000.
Just use some commen sense and don't let ANYONE push you beyond what YOU feel is safe

 

Take your time. Dont rush or let yourself be rushed. If its too bad, park it. Dispatcher might give you a hard time but its your butt on the line. A hot load gets really cold sitting in a ditch. Smooth movements and no cruise. I use my jakes, some dont. It is a bit scary the first time but with experience youll gain confidence. Just remember there is a difference between confidence and ####y.

 

Being From MD I've seen the worst Blizzard's. I can drive a 4x4 in the deep snow wich is fun. Now that I live in Arizona I don't wanna see no dam snow until I'm ready to go home to Baltimore. I'm going with Central Refrigerated on the 22 so I wanna get as much practice in before the snow hits. I'm confident that taking your time in poor conditions and watching traffic around you we should be ok as newbies if we don't stress or overwhelm ourselves. I learned that not stressing and panicking during stressful situations will always work out in your favor.