Winter Driving; lower temperatures are better. Why?

Mmmmmm… cocoa!

 

Roads can be much dangerous in southern states especially TX in the winter. Warmer temps mean ice. I’ll take 0f anyday.

 

Can any of you recommend companies that run primarily the northern plains?

 

What to be weary of is close to 32f ice. It’s dangerous. Slippery. I’ve parked more than once in those situations. Happy I did.
Driving in North Dakota at below zero is great. Do have to slow down some. Take it easier. But you got traction. Ain’t gonna go sliding off the road out of control. …. Now getting out of the truck in North Dakota in winter is a whole different story. You don’t wanna do that.

 

the layer of melt on the ice at 28 - 32 degrees acts as a lubricant but when it is all frozen at lower temps you have traction

 

Every winter road. Every snowfall.
Every temp swing and every truck/tire combo = a different input response from the driver.
Typically a lower temperature snow is less moisture and give a bit more bite.

 

Snow just slightly below the freezing point is real greasy.
At around 10 degrees and colder it gets more crispy.

 

I can attest to everything said here so far. The colder the temperature in my experience = better traction. When the temps are between 20°-32° the ice and snow are much greasier and slippery and with more traffic the longer the road conditions can stay that way. In the Northern Plains, which is where I make a lot of my pickups and deliveries in the winter, I prefer to drive at night with the colder temps and less traffic. I have never really had a fear of getting stuck unless the snowfall was so intense that the plows couldn't keep up or they just stop operating period.

Driving in the mountains is different and you must take precautions to make sure your truck stays upright and your load and yourself make it safely to deliver. A couple of days late is better than being upside down or injured. I don't take the risk if I feel the road conditions are unsafe. I have no problem telling anyone that it is unsafe to travel.

One thing that helped me in my early years was driving through the mountains when the weather was good so I could gain the knowledge of how my truck reacted to the grades and how well my Jake Brake would slow me down even in wet braking conditions. Jakes Brakes can be a great tool but they can also get you in trouble in low traction conditions so make sure you know how the Jake reacts. Some Jakes hit hard and start applying heavy braking force as soon as you let off of the accelerator and some are more linear and apply slower and in progression. Learn how your equipment reacts and use it properly and I think you will be fine. Don't be afraid to park it when you feel uncomfortable or the roads are unsafe.

 

I think he prefers 0 F over 30-35 F. At the "warmer" temps part of the road have varying traction.

 

Be carefull using that jake brake in any lack of traction. The reason is that you have no braking on the trailer. You could end up with the trailer sliding around on you. If there is any lack of traction. I shy away from jake. Always use the pedal. If you do use it. Also use the pedal if even just slightly.