winter parking

well before you park you should cool the tires down a bit by rolling forward and back a few time...and like you said not a bad idea to do it again after you've been sittin for a bit. Also put a cap full of rubbing alcohol in you glad hands it'll help keep them from freezing if there was moisture in the line

 

you know.....if drivers did what they were SUPPOSED to do, then moisture in the brake lines wouldn't be such a problem...
like for instance, draining the air tanks at the end of the day on the tractor....we ALL know this right...??

what about the trailers....??

those have petcocks on them as well.....why don't i ever see a driver draining out his trailer air tanks to get rid of any water in those....???

those trailer petcocks are just as easy as can be to get at.......

maybe its just me. but i had a tractor AND "up to" 4 trailers assigned to me. they were MINE to maintain.....as i had to swap out one loaded trailer at my drop point, then pick up the other one to bring back....so maybe for me, that was easy to do, rather than each different trailer the average driver has to deal with..????

or maybe it's just me because i teach my students this...???? (it IS in the CDL manual by the way........)

but still, to NOT drain out the air tanks at least once per day, and even the trailers, is pure laziness, and begging for trouble......

 

How about carrying methyl hydrate with you. I am shocked at how many drivers don't know about it in the winter. Also, get int the habit of pouring some in the emergency line when changing trailers. Helps get rid of moisture and can clean out frozen valves.

 

I use that brake line antifreeze. Seems like it's alcohol??

For lots on a incline, park on the high side. I've seen many get stuck on nearly flat ground with a little incline if the lot is iced. I have a 20' logging chain I carry with me in the winter. I've pulled a many out.

 

That is methyl hydrate. They just call it brake line antifreeze. I guess so us dumb trukers can have an idea of what it is.

 

When you drain the moisture out of your tanks at -40, or -10 for that matter, it will freeze exiting the tanks. Then you will be sitting with valves frozen open, unable to build air, unless you happen to be bright enough to carry a torch with you, or in a position to walk someplace to buy one now that you are in that spot. In a warmer climate, of course you should drain your air tanks daily, but I don't recommend you do it on the shoulder of an off ramp halfway between Fargo and Bismarck at sub-zero temps.

 

If you are a company driver make sure to check with the shop before putting anything in your airlines. If you go voiding the warranty on a brand new trailer your company might not be to happy with you.