Out on the road in winter with trainer?

Hi Guys and Gals,

I just got my CDL A and was getting ready to pick a company to try out for. I was wondering How rough it is in winter and being with a trainer I feel i should get the exp i will need in winter instead of nice summer conditions? any tips on what to wear? what to look out for? any all suggestions would be greatly appricated!! I been reading this fourm before i started school! I no its not going to be picnic out there but i do believe it will be rewarding!! Thanks again for any info!!

 

Snow driving will make you stressed and tired. Find the speed you feel comfortable with depending on conditions, then go 5 mph slower, that should keep you out of trouble. Very easy on the throttle, even easier on the break. Keep a tight watch on your trailer when breaking.

If conditions are too bad, it is better to just pull off and go to sleep, let them work on the roads and head out again later.

An outside temperature gauge you can view is advised to help watch out for icing conditions. If you have ice conditions pull off and go to sleep.

I think in the exp trucker section someone recently made an extensive list on winter driving. Have a look.

 

if you just got your CDL like you say then get going NOW. if you were to wait for spring or summer, you will have to go back to school again to be re-trained.
i think its common sense, what to wear......and what to bring. it's going to be YOU going from the truck where its parked to the truck stop building in dead of winter. you wanna freeze to death before you get to use the bathroom or get your food......???

good luck.

 

Another tip is to keep your CB on. It can keep you updated on accidents or black ice. Just don't let anyone pressure you into driving faster then you feel comfortable with.

Good luck with your new career.

 

Thanks for info! I will be out there as soons as I pick a company! me and a friend are still trying to decide if we want to run teams or solo! Thing is i smoke he dont so if we run teams I made it clear if weather is nice ill smoke out side but if its bad then ill try to start chewing lol i told him no promises though! Oh also how difficalt can it be with trianing and two peeps in a truck for 6 weeks? Im a very respectful person and try to be as clean and neat as possible.

 

When in North Dakota when it's -15f wear flip flops and shorts like the rest of the rookies...

 

Lol Krooser!!

My family is from North dakota and I plan on moving there and working in the oil fields driving trucks after i get some exp!!! My Mom, Uncles and Aunts and cousins let me know how cold it gets there so that will be an exp all in its self!!!

 

Well, I have insulated steel toe boots that I waterproof every year. I carry several pairs of gloves, one gets wet, goes on the dash to dry and another set comes out to wear. Cold hands are NO fun, being from ND you understand that. A good hooded coat to cut the wind when it gets down to -60* and you have to work on a frozen brake or burnt out light. I always have a lighter coat for going back and forth to the TS and the heavier one for outside work. I run open decks so I am outside MUCH more than a van driver is. I carry a winter vest as well to put on under my coat if it too cold. Layering can save your skin in extreme cold. You never do know where or when you need it.

I learned to drive rigs in the winter. My first lesson it started to blizzard part way into my lesson. The instructor asked me what I wanted to do. I told him I didn't feel safe continuing on with the weather getting worse. He was fine with it and had me go at my own pace back to the yard. He helped teach me a TON, it shows since I've ticked off DM's when I wouldn't run in very bad road conditions. Like he always told us, they want the truck to move they are welcome to come get the keys and drive. NONE of them will EVER do it.

My OTR trainer taught me mid-summer. We had good weather but some really bad rain storms. So I learned bad weather driving under load on tight "Rookie Roads" as he called them in the NE US, most of the time at night too. Listen to your trainer, he/she can pass on some very good tidbits of information. Other drivers can be a great source of info, many can be BS factories sometimes. Drivers seem to like to make up stories in the hours and hours of tedium behind the wheel. You will end up talking to yourself if you go OTR.

Good luck, keep the rubber on the road.

 

Winter is the better time to be with a trainer. Make sure you learn to throw chains too. Repo had a good tip, keep your CB on. Yeah there's a lot of crap talking but you will also know what's going down in front of you way before it happens. Saved my skin a few times! As far as the two guys in a truck thing, don't worry it will go by faster than you think! It can be a lot of fun too! If for any reason you are not getting along or the trainer isn't training you properly then tell someone about it. It's not uncommon to switch trainers during your training period. Good luck to you and bring your waterproof slippers!

 

Thanks for the Info Finn and Chompi! I get along with everybody i meet! But there are things that happen when two peeps just dont click! Ill never be rude or disrespectful to anyone. (Its his truck and his rules I will have to deal with it or jump off!!! Lol Jk)