winter tips / driving with winds

I always slow down about 2/5 mph depressing on how strong the gusts are. See, that's where I feel guys make the mistake. You get that strong gust that pulls you left or right and then in my mind guys are over steering and cutting which the result makes the drives want to lead or swings the tail causing some kind of jack knife or over turn. Just slow down, take your time. Wyoming is a great place to learn, luckily when I was with my trainer we went there a few times in the winter with the winds. Great training for me, didn't have to chain but saw a over turned car and what not but just slow down, don't over steer, don't cut the wheel, and know your limit and what's safe to drive in.

 

That is an actually guide for those that live here. The calm before the storm holds true.

Millions and millions of dollars spent on those snow fences to keep the birds and antelope happy

Yep the NOAA radio does give wind speeds and gusts... very handy... also available on the web... access to the web, Wyoming has automated weather stations at critical points along I80, I25, and some other highways... webcam stills, temp, wind...

check it out here for I80... http://www.wyoroad.info/pls/Browse/WRR.RoutesResults?SelectedRoute=I80

or start here.... http://www.wyoroad.info/

also 511 gives the wind speeds when a high wind watch or warning is in effect.

 

many people react to the gust incorrectly.... the wind pushes the trailer to the left, turn the wheel slightly to the left ease up on accelerator, steer straight, and then accelerate to straighten the semi out. Turn into the skid. do not break, that causes the jackknife.

And give each other more room when passing... I have seen the wind suck two trucks together as they pass.

when you park it, dont park on a ramp, where the wind has an incline to get under the side your trailer... it will blow you over

and please oh please, if the overhead sign in wyoming says no light trailers, it is dangerous to go.

 

I had to go up to Wyoming today from Denver first stop was in Cheyenne no problem then to Laramie it was a no light trailer warning so I took Happy Jack rd (210) over to the Lincoln head. then down into Laramie when I left I decided to take 287 south down to fort Collins that's were I almost got blown over (57 ft trailer) My left trailer tires smoked as I try to stay on the ground. When I passed back into Colorado it was like magic the wind died down. I stayed off of the highways that said no ligh trailers so even if I did get blown over I would have an excuse.

 

So slowing down in high winds helps prevent blowing over? how much should you slow down generally?

if I am loaded say 25-30k and I feel the cab rocking back and forth in a windy area but not anything that has warnings should it be a concern? when I was training I kept wanting to drive 55 in a 65 with these winds they weren't crazy and my trainer who really shouldn't have been training just wanted me to get him as many miles as possible was saying don't worry about it just keep going 65. is that true or just him being selfish?

 

I've been down as low as 35-40 or so with an empty cattle trailer. You have wind going under you also, so in a way you're like a big wing. The faster you go the easier it will lift. If you slow down it will be harder to get off the ground.

 

Actually, pumpkin vine, which is 287 south of laramie had the no light trailer, high wind warning up.

 

It depends.

After some time behind the wheel you develop a sense of how much wind push means having to slow down, and how much. You'll learn how passing trucks or overpasses will suddenly "suck"you upwind and then shove you downwind. Learn how to steer to compensate, it gets pretty active at times.

I say "It depends" because without being in your shoes and feeling the conditions at that moment it's hard to say if you should have slowed down. Having been a trainer myself I can say that 90% of trainees FREAK OUT when a little breeze starts rocking the cab. Could be your trainer was simply trying to get you to understand that the sky wasn't falling.

 

well I was in situations like that where it was just rocking but what im talking about was involving some active countersteering. nothing that was really extreme like almost blowing off the road but active countersteering the wind none the less.

 

Active countersteering is a common thing if you live in big wind country. I start fading off from my 70 mph cruising speed if the push or pull starts to threaten lane control. I make no excuses for not being in proper steering control, 99% of the time both hands are softly on the wheel at 9:30 and 2:30.

Pay special attention if you have a broadside wind from the right and are taking a left hand corner, both want to tilt you to the left.

 

Every day occurrence crossing wyoming. Active counter steer to the wind. It is curves, overpasses, and underpasses that change the wind that causes big problems.