Winter driving tips

Do everything the same just slower

 

Its funny people from up North talking about the South and the snow. Usually you will have more accidents from overconfident Northerners trying to run 75 to 80 mph on untreated roads down here, and end up upside down. Also I have seen numerous trucks based out the North and Midwest in the ditch and off the road in snow than trucks from the South especially along I 80

 

"Panic Early, avoid the rush." Our local TV stations will continuously show a blizzard in Colorado or Montana while they say "30% chance of flurries, accumulation of less than 1 inch expected."

 

Hard to tell if they had their accident on their own or had help from a local 4-wheeler. The 4-wheelers down here in the South like to go the speed limit until one of them sees another car doing 15 mph with their flashers going. "Speedy" will then slam on their brakes and refuse to pass or follow. Instead they will ride side-by-side until one of them exits. But have no fear, they are still furiously texting and updating Facebook.

 

i live in the South, but have driven all over. Down here yesterday in Mississippi was a mixture of sleet, freezing rain and snow. I ran about 400 miles in it, over fifty percent of the time empty. First thing is to turn off your jakes, then increase your following distance. You can tell where the ice is on bridges because cars will be in the median or ditch just past the bridge. If water is spraying up from tires, the road is just wet not frozen. If I am botailing, I try to pick a high gear like 7th to start in and keep from breaking traction. The southern states typically only put sand on bridges, we don't have liquid de-ices and plows so drive accordingly

 

I ran NC to SC and back last night / this morning. It was my first snow trip. Had a few tense moments slipping and sliding, especially getting up those long hills.

Two questions:

Is it ok to keep the diff locked when driving in snow?

My trailer was super light down and empty back. When I tried to roll over 40 mph it was slip city. Some trucks were blowing by me at 50-60. Were they just heavier?

Doing it again tonight. Got a feeling all that melt is going to be black ice. Temps going down to 9.

Wish me luck

 

Slow down and take your time. Increase your following distance. Don't let Darwin take the wheel.

 

Yes, it's OK. 2, they were probably loaded heavier, but the looseness we feel may look less to others than it feels to us. They may have been holding on for dear life!

 

You most likely have an Interaxle Differential Lock (IAD Lock) also known as a power divider. Yes, you should lock it and run any speed you want. It divides power to both drive axles.

Many folks mix that up with differential locks. You won't have that on your truck unless it is specced for off road driving, and if you have that you also have the power divider. A differential lock should only be used at less than 25 mph for short periods of time, like powering up steep mud.

 

In the wind and snow... I will not pull empty or light trailers. I ask for heavier trailers. Always.

Last week, dispatch had me on a 12k and an empty. I said, "no." Requested two trailers with freight.... Too many trailers need to be moved right now to waste my company's resources pulling empties. And.... I am not fond of breakdown or flipping trailers in the wind or snow.