Winter driving

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...ers/158093-winter-driving-little-nervous.html

refer to this thread lots of good info, however im still waiting to hear how much more difficult it is to maintain an automatic, which im stuck with vs a standard shift truck.

 

try not to drive in it if you don't have to.
when driving in the snow empty or loaded drive slow.
when changing lanes empty or loaded do it very slowly.
watch out for black ice going over overpasses.
keep a safe distance from 4 wheelers.
make shore there is no snow, ice on top of your trailer, that can blow off and damage a car etc.
getting off and on highways be extra careful in the snow.
will need to carry chains on the truck.

 

There are many threads about this...use your search box and put in "chaining", "winter driving" or anything along those lines!
1. http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...ers-advice/158771-chaining-are-you-ready.html
2. http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/swift/127286-mentor-why-bother.html

these are 2 I have started....there are more!

 

Bravo Otter!!!!!





That being said.....I for one....love the snow....
My rates to Rockies and the Dakotas increase because the "Fair Weather" drivers stay below I-40.......

I have learned the "rhythm" as it were to the storms.....
If I get out of sync....Throwing iron is no big deal.....

Most of the time if you allow for the plows to do their jobs....You won't have to chain up....

It's when the snow gets heavy; The Four-wheelers get crazy and; The "Supa-Truckers" have more bravery than brains, that DOT will "shut it down"...Then we sit......

 

I saw that Amarillo got a little of the white sheyat......

Three years ago, I sat with an oil pump on the deck for 4 friggen' days because Santa Rosa, NM to the OK Panhandle was hit hard....

 

Oh yeah....You drivers who think you're gonna outfox Old man Winter by running the 10.....El Paso gets a little ice and snow on occasion.....You think running through the "Land of Mañana" is bad now.....Just wait until it gets snow.....

 

I'll add to it. First, black ice. Stay off of it. If you must run, do it in the day time when it's warm and the ice has a chance to melt. As far as the snow is concerned, be a cowboy, EIGHT SECOND RULE HERE. Keep at least 8 seconds between you and the vehicles, ANY VEHICLES, in front of you. One tell-tale sign I've learned about when it's time to pull over is watch the wiggle-waggons. When they stop, you stop. If you see ANY vehicle in the ditch find a Wal-Mart if you have to, but get your rig to a safe place, call in, and tell dispatch what you are seeing and don't let them tell you you gotta go. Don't forget to keep stocked up on food and supplies in the event you can't move for a day or two.

 

Very important info, here, and not something often thought about. When I'm heading into any area where storms might be an issue, I make sure to have at least 1/2 tank of fuel. I know at Swift, you get fuel stops chosen for you by the computer, but that's not set in stone. Ask your DL to get you a closer fuel stop if you need it. Even with bunk heaters, you still need to run the truck to keep your batteries charged. Food, water, and some kind of restroom alternative. An extra sleeping bag and cold weather clothes. Common sense stuff. It's not just winter driving you need to think about, it's winter stopping, too. It's rare to get stuck for really long periods, but it does happen.

 

You also need to idle your rig to keep the fuel circulating....Especially in subzero temps....Nothing worse when fuel becomes gelatin......