winter driving...for noobs??help!

Back when I was driving, we had heaters in the fuel tanks, and we never shut the truck down. I never had any problem with fuel. On the refers we just set them to run continually.

As to the trailer brakes, that is sort of a two edge sword. If you are parked on a relatively flat surface, there really is no reason to set the trailer brakes. UNLESS you are docked and there is no dock lock.

But I was always hesitant to park on much of an incline, with a heavy trailer, and not set the trailer brakes. So I just didn't park on much of an incline in cold weather.

 

When good thing to do is drive around the parking lot for a couple of laps and ride the brakes. The more dry you can get them the less ice will build up on them. This also cools the tires down so that they don't melt through the ice and get you stuck. You should be able to park just about anywhere with the tractor brake set. It has to be a pretty steep incline for me to set the trailer brakes. If the trailer breaks do end up freezing, good luck! You can try dragging the trailer around but 9 out of 10 times it doesn't help. You can try a torch but it could take a long time. If its barely frozen the some times a hammer will brake it up enough. If your tractor brakes freeze most of time its not a problem. Just put it in gear and let her rip! You will hear a loud snap, crackle, pop and you will be on your way.

You also want to try to remove as much snow as possible off your rig. Remove the ice from your mud flaps, dot bumper, and check your landing gear for big chunks of ice. The ice can fly off going down the highway and seriously hurt someone. Ice and snow can also build up and cause you to be over weight. If the weather starts to get bad no matter what hit the next truck stop. This will allow you to access the situation and see what the weather is going to be like ahead of you. Also check for road closures. For you newbies road closures happen quite frequently out west. There are actually big gates that come down and won't let you onto the interstate. Also even though the road is open doesn't mean that it is safe to drive. One of the biggest things to watch out for isn't necessarily ice or snow or wind, it's the super trucker. These are guys that think they can handle the bad conditions and 99% of the time they don't make it. I cannot tell you how many times I have seen these guys come across the median or slide sideways across all lanes of traffic taking out the cautious drivers and everything else. So back to shutting it down. Now that you are at the truck stop and have accessed the situation if it is ok to go then head out with caution. If it is too bad, guess what, since you were the smart one and got off the road first thing you now have the best parking spot. Grab a coffee, sit in the front seat with your feet up, turn the CB on and get ready for some major entertainment! Nothing is more fun then watching guys try hustle for a spot in a blizzard while listening to the CB! Also make sure you have gotten cash out of the ATM and stock up on some food and drinks. If the roads are shut down for awhile the truck stops run out of supplies quickly. Also if the power goes out you won't be able to get money or buy anything.

On a side note, if you guys have pets you need to wash their feet off with some clean water after walking around the rest stops or truck stops. The salt and ice melt chemicals can seriously injure their feet.

 

I always carry a small tool box. I have a ball pein hammer that i can tap on the brake drums till it goes from a thud to sounding like a bell.

 

Couple more things. If you are running out west a lot or up north you may want to consider alcohol for your airlines. Also if you are running reefer you need to keep stuff in the tanks to keep the fuel from gelling. Most of the time your tractor will be ok. Especially the trucks with the fairing that wrap around the tanks. If you drink a little bit of the anti-gelling stuff it will keep you warm for the rest of the winter. Helps chap lips too!

 

one of the many things an old driver told me was to drive forward and backward in your parking spot as this will compact the snow for you to get out easier. and yeah, if parked on level surface, just use your tractor brakes, you wont be going no where.

 

i dont think he was serious about drinking anti-gel.....

as for the alcohol, its been said ordinary rubbing alcohol can be used for the brake lines, but i would rather recommend that a bottle of alcohol be bought at the truck stop garage, or have your company provide you with some.

yeah and old trick, drive forwards then backwards to pack down the snow.

well for this, you really ought to ask your shop. never use additives against thier orders. then too, many trucks are able to keep fuel warm by either heaters in the tanks, or like one company i worked for, they had a fuel "warmer" under the hood, which used recirculating coolant from the radiator to keep the fuel warm, but this was only when the engine was warm. the fuels are blended at the "tank farms" where the tanker drivers load up at. anti gel chemicals are good no doubt, but just ask your shop manager first.

 

Don't set your trailer brakes.!!!