Would you pull an empty across I80 in Wyoming

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by 40AcreMule, Apr 3, 2020.

  1. Farmerbob1

    Farmerbob1 Road Train Member

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    Practically every single interstate mile in Wyoming has a high potential for hazardous winds, year round.

    There are places in other states that are just as bad, but they are here and there, or regional.

    Wyoming is just one giant wind tunnel.
     
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  2. G13Tomcat

    G13Tomcat Road Train Member

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    It was part of the dibby dot continuum, didn't you see?!? ;)
     
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  3. G13Tomcat

    G13Tomcat Road Train Member

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    And you forgot the dibbydot continuum after the CYA, my friend!

    Just kidding. Trying to keep LIGHT of those of us that are 'essential.' :(
     
  4. Moose1958

    Moose1958 Road Train Member

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    [​IMG]

    Then you have not done as much traveling as you say. I have seen at times multiple trucks AND RVs all over the highway in Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, California, and BOTH Dakotas. I admit some of the worse conditions I have seen are in Wyoming, but to dismiss the other places as you have done does not tell the whole story. That day I spoke of in my last post, the winds were MEASURED to be in excess of 60MPH and were very dangerous, many vehicles were blown over not just that UPS van. The primary thing that makes Wyoming dangerous in winter are those whiteout conditions.
     
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  5. kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Some of us do not have a lot of choice. When I ran tank out of Tx to Seattle, we had to come back empty. And to go around Wyoming was not practical. Winter conditions being the exception.
     
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  6. Cattleman84

    Cattleman84 Road Train Member

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    Wyoming is one of the only states to consistently post light load restrictions due to wind... This has created a "fear factor" among many drivers.

    I crossed WY Saturday night... Was perfectly calm, beautiful night for driving.

    As many of you may know, I run through WY every week, most the time twice a week. Ive never run completely empty through there, but have taken loads as light as 9k in the box... Giving me a total groos weight of 42k. Paying attention to the WY website is critical when very light.

    WYDOT Travel Information Service (Laramie)

    If I were to run an MT across WY from UT to CO... I-80 to MM 235 just east of Sinclair, US30 to Laramie, US 287 to Fort Collins, then I-25 to Denver. This route bypasses the worst wind areas.
     
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  7. smokey12

    smokey12 Road Train Member

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    I could see driving an empty Tanker, even though that's still not great, but a dry box that catches the wind so much more? I go through wyoming regularly. and I ams ure you know that rarely do you get through there without some issue whether it be wind ice or snow. If you do it gets you some way the next time.
     
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  8. SoulScream84

    SoulScream84 Road Train Member

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    Wyoming on 25 south of Casper and east of Rawlins 5 days out of 6 you'll see wind warnings, and the multiple trucks laid over is no longer a headline even for the small towns. Colorado normally you only see straight wind laying rigs over on the worst of days on 25 north of Loveland, or south of Lamar on 287/385. Texas I've seen multiple vehicle accidents in the western portion of the state due to weather, but not consistent wind laying vehicles over unless you're talking tornado or hurricanes. North Dakota I'd put as worse than south after dealing with both of them for oil and gas for several years as well as a delivery driver.

    I'm not saying other states don't have their challenges, but I haven't seen nearly the same day in and day out conditions (avg 40mph with gusts of 60+ being ###### near normal) that Wyoming presents. I've been over the road with oil and gas, trucking, and riding with my dad/gpa for over 30 years and I'll take out of route miles before pulling an empty over Elk once they put the warnings up.
     
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  9. Moose1958

    Moose1958 Road Train Member

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    Your reply is noted and agreed with. I just drew an exception to your first comment that seemed to say these other places are not dangerous. They are! We need to be extremely careful with these comments because newbies are reading them. If you leave them with the impression the only place you have to worry about high winds is Wyoming they might take that to heart and stop watching. That was my primary point, and I STAND BY IT!
     
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  10. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    I guess that’s better than the diddly squat continuum. :biggrin_25523:
     
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