Questions about truck operation in winter, please help

Best of luck to you and i think you will do just fine. Not many people ask questions before getting themselves into a bad position and you seem to have a good head on your shoulders......just keep asking and we will do our best to assist you

 

My answers in BOLD

 

Depending on the model truck you drive,

reading the operators manual can also really help answer some of these questions.

 

That's just crazy talk.

 

If it is just one switch and it looks like the one on the left (notice the X is depicted between the axles), then it is a power divider. You don't have to worry about the 35 mph limit with that like you do with differential locks (the two other switches). As I said earlier, it can even be used when on the highway in slippery conditions (snow, ice, etc.), just don't engage it while spinning or you'll break stuff. Having driven many seasons going over the big hills in the west, I just flick it in-and-out as needed and the only time I have ever had to chain up on the highway is when forced to by DOT.

 

Check the western star manual............

Check and see what eaton dana says..............

 

Interesting, of all the trucks I've driven, I've never had a power-divider, just the Def-lock, even the off-road articulated dumps. Thanks for posting that, I'll have to look for that on the truck they assign me.

 

You mean like this?

 

It's all been covered. All I'll add is yes, I will lock in the rear end when in extreme winter conditions putting along at 25 mph. You need all the help you can maintaining traction. Distributing the workload across the drive tires means better traction.

Traction control is similar to ABS brakes. There is a vane ring in the differential next to the differential gear. Then there's a sensor penetrating the housing monitoring that ring for a quick change in rpm's just like a wheel sensor. Like others said the ECM will react accordingly to avoid a spin out.

The new thing, I think started in 2008 or 09?? is electronic stability control. Striker mentioned it. You can look on the backside of your visor and it will tell you if you have it. Anyways, it monitors sideway g's with a clockspring. Say you attack an exit ramp too fast. You better get ready to kiss the windshield because the brakes are coming on full force. I worked with one dummy that actually tested it on a ramp and it does work. I asked him, what if the fuse was blown? I could see this device kicking in if you did lose it on snow in a jackknife or similar.

One chain? Know which is your drive tire. It doesn't hurt to play in an empty parking lot and lightly get to know your truck in snow. Anyways, you have to lay your chain spread out in front of your tire. Then you drive on it. Then you just wrap her around and secure it. There's a couple different hook designs, but none are rocket science. Chains are useless after you get stuck and can't move.

Backing on ice? Just creep to the dock. Be careful of downward inclines, because you might not get out. The same with parking. I been in ice storms and see guys get stuck in a spot with only a 2" drop. One thing you need to be aware of is customers with tight docks in the winter. Many times the snowplow will block some of your manuevering room. Just be extra careful of obstacles around you. An easy back can turn into a nightmare with a pile of snow in front of you. If you do alot of northern driving in the winter, carrying a 30' chain can be your friend.

 

I usually lock the diffs at the bottom of a long pull if i know it is very slick. Better to be locked in BEFORE you spin out. I've only locked them for uphill driving, I don't want them locked downhill in very slick conditions. I've used the interlock to get moving from a stop in slick weather also.
Jakes and or retarders basically create artificial compression in diesel motors. Which in very slick conditions can cause the drive axles to lock and lose traction. With experience you will know when you can and when you can't use your jakes.
Never had Traction Control that I know of, can't help you there.
As far as chaining, don't be imtimidated by the process. Practice and experience will make it second nature. And for all those who brag they refuse to "throw iron", more power to you, I'll be picking up my next load while you sit for 2 days waiting for the conditions to improve. Yes, out west this can happen. Most of the time your only going to run chains for a short time and once through the crappy weather you'll be cruising to your customer while everyone else is watching the snow fall on the other side of the hill.
Checkout the tutorials on Youtube, they are long and somewhat boring but they cover the process well. Just type "chaining up" in the search box.