Winter driving and Canada crossing questions

Plenty of threads about winter driving on here to find some tips and advice. As for canada make sure you have some emergency supplies , basic spares for the truck with some tools, food water etc and be sure to have adequate winter clothing. Some parts of canada can be remote and you must be prepared to wait a while for help if you need it. Also be carefull if youre in the praires provinces, especially manitoba and saskatchewan , there can be very strong cross winds at times and combined with an icy road can make it challenging. Make sure your cold weather clothing is good quality as it can get very cold in places. One last tip, get a 3 pound hand sledge hammer and a good pry bar, youre going to need them for frozen brakes and be sure to knock the ice off your rig often as it builds up quick.

 

This is a great winter driving thread:

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...370-dealing-old-man-winter-primer-winter.html

As Kw9'srock said there are many threads if you do a search. Search the site for "winter", "ice", and "chains or chaining".

 

I have found found that an 18" piece of 3/4" pipe and a lighter hammer works well also. Tap tap the shoes, top and bottom, and all will run free. It does require getting under the trailer.

 

Are you asking about customs? BTW, the snow/ice in Canada is just like down here, same stuff!

 

Not always.

Saskatchewan does a poor job.

 

If you've never done Canada before, you'll want to talk to your FM about their procedure of getting loads cleared before you get there.

Here is how it usually goes:

You pick up load in the states at the shipper. Either the shipper or you will have to fax all customs invoices and bill of lading to the broker assigned to that load (Livingston, UPS, DHL, etc) There will also be a cover form that shows what Port you are crossing and your ETA including date and time of crossing. Key with ETA is it is fine (actually preferable) to be later than ETA given, but you cannot be early. I learned to give an ETA 3-4 hours before I expected to be there. This gives them more time to clear it and reduces the chance for a delay. Also be sure the cover form and BOL have a PARS sticker affixed to them before faxing. If the shipper did not supply you with a PARS sticker call your FM immediately this is crucial in getting cleared.

Find a rest area or truck stop before the border and call the broker's 800 number to check the clearance status. If you are cleared you can proceed and hopefully you won't be detained when you hit customs. If not cleared wait at the safe haven and keep calling back until they tell you the load has cleared.

If you are deadheading without a load back to the US no pre-clearance is needed just answer the standard 5-10 questions that customs typically asks and you're good to go.

If you are taking a load back to the US with you the process is basically the same except the sticker/number you need is called PAPS instead of PARS.

Occasionally they may have your truck X-rayed which can be another hour but I've only had that happen at Port Huron, Mi.

Bring plenty of cash with you. US currency while accepted everywhere in Canada can be hard to access from Canadian ATMs. If you run out of cash you may need to find a bank to get your American greenbacks. Unfortunately some dispatchers send their drivers into Canada with a load but have no preplan to get you out. Often times they let you sit for a day or two while waiting on a backhaul. Goods and services are more expensive there so the cash can go fast. You'll likely be relieved to get back on American soil if this is the case.

One last note: Parking can be scarce in Canada. Truck Stops are few and most of the ones they do have are much smaller than here in the US. Often times your best bet is to park in the travel plazas' lot.

 

Roadkill summarized things pretty well.
There are good truckstops in Canada, but most of them are concentrated in/around the large cities. Before you venture into Canada, get yourself one of those expensive truck stop guidebooks that lists all of the US and Canadian stops. You will need it for your travels up there. I also suggest that you look at city websites before you go, as the large cities have designated truck routes.
If you plan to bring a computer to Canada, most of the Husky truckstops offer free wireless....

 

Don't set your trailer brakes right after you have parked, after going down a wet road / snow covered road in the winter.
Let the heat that is comming off the wheel dry out the brakes first, then set them. Been doing that for 8 years, and not once have i had frozen brakes the next morning.

 

If you bring a LAPTOP into Canada , make sure and leave your PORN at home. Lot of drivers have been caught with junk on their computers and some ended up behind bars.

WALMARTS still allow truck parking in most areas as do shopping centres .

HUSKY has free WIFI but rotten food and POT HOLE parking lots and showers are well ICKY .