Wake up call

Nice story. Happy ending. Not sure after your ordeal, I would have pushed my luck and did the off road part. My luck I would have sunk like a rock. Happy trails.

 

[QUOTE E=Starboyjim;4550640]I thought I'd said something about this, Bren, but absolutely a lot of luck, a lot of things went my way that morning. I've driven a lot of vehicles a lot of miles, getting up on 3 million in all conditions, but even so, it wasn't a plan, it was gut reaction. No one beside me, truck responded, made it again.

Oh, one other thing. These remarks about cruise control and bad weather/conditions? I take them lightly, since I believe, completely believe, that the drivers telling me to turn it off are themselves just a guilty as I am of not reaching for the shutoff immediately every time a raindrop or snowflake hits the window. And as Derailed said, whatever I did must have been the right thing, since I got control and did not crash. Only heard one or two comments on that. I posted this hoping to share survival information, and I guess it worked somewhat. Thanks.[/QUOTE]

Thank you... that actually does clear it up and I totally get where you are coming from... and it is a very good point.. just because we know what we are supposed to do doesnt mean we do... like turn off the cruise control... I am sure we dont always it as soon as se should...

Thanks

 

I'm glad you're ok!

 

Seems like your looking for an ATTA BOY for doing something right ( Jimmy Johnson STYLE ) so here ya go ATT A BOY

 

Jimmy would have mashed on the go pedal.

 

The reason braking is not recommended in a skid is that if you lock up the trailer wheels while not straight, the trailer will try to pass the truck. I know your instinct is to slow the vehicle, but in slippery conditions you always want to be straight before braking. even then it is a good idea to glance at mirror any time you brake in slippery conditions. trailer will generally slide away from the crest of the road, to your right. If you see it move and let off brake right away it will usually straighten out. If you ever get a chance to do skid pad training do it ! kind of like taking mom and dad's car to a gravel lot to do doughnuts. When you get to intentionally slide a semi a few times you start to get comfortable with that feeling and figure out how to do it in a controlled manner. Alternatively, you can pull 20' empty chassis's around Illinois in the winter, practically as good as skid pad !