Tips for the new guys on highwind driving

What I mean by hooked right the heavy box has to be first then then next and the last has to be the lightest. If not you just can't drive it without really putting yourself and others in danger. If it's done right sure they'll move a little but not like some of these rumors that the last box is just whipping all around.

Many times I would have a stop at a mine site in Beatty NV and the middle box would have to be dropped and you'd backload an empty. Try doing that in the middle of the night on dirt. I can barely remember how to do it but I know the empty has to be on the end and the last box that you came in with now has to be in the middle. After awhile I could drop and hook in about 15 minutes do a PTI and be on my way but it took awhile to learn that. We'd also drag a converter gear sometimes with no brakes because it's almost impossible to have brakes to an empty gear and not lock them up. But you never wanted to get caught, but what the hell it was Nevada.

 

I found having flight time behind the controls of a small plane helps drive a truck in the wind. (seriously).

When I started flying I quickly learned that you shouldn't react to every single gust. You smooth out your flying (and greatly decrease your stress level) by focusing on overall correction. (the "bigger picture" I guess)

I see drivers that are all over the road because they are constantly fighting with every single gust that hits them. I've found it easier to deal with winds to "ride it out" to a certain extent. When a gust hits you, don't immediately fight the gust. I let the gust take me a little to dampen the force of the wind. I won't cross the dotted line if there's any cars nearby but If it hits me on my left side I'll let the truck drift a bit towards the shoulder and even into the shoulder a little on the really bad gusts and basically dampen my correction so its a gradual and non-jerky correction back to center. I'll use my entire lane if I have to smooth things out.

This might sound cheezy, but don't over-drive the truck. You'll overcompensate and be all over the place!

....and if its so windy that your truck is in one lane but the trailer is in the next, its time for a break because thats the wind that will kill you!!

Living in Southern Alberta we get winds that are very similar to Wyoming. +60mph isn't uncommon at all in these parts. I've seen guys hauling turnpikes almost get thrown into the ditch on a heavy gust. That's when we, as professional drivers, need to know our equipment and their limits, and stand down for safety!

 

#### right it does! I had a trailer bouncing through there one night... scared the crap out of me.

 

How is it pulling a tanker when it's windy??? Is there a difference between tanker and van??

 

I appreciate the 411 on high winds. Always wondered if there was a trick to it. Thanks much