Since winter is fast approaching, how about some winter.....

[Big_Dave]

Since winter is fast approaching, how about some winter driving tips for those that have very little or no experience driving a big truck in snowy conditions.

1. Keep that Jake Brake off when you're on icy roads.
By running your Jakes on ice, they can cause your drive tires to lock up in icy conditions, causing you to jack knife.

2. Increase your following distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.
It takes even longer to slow down or stop on snowy and icy roads.

3. Slow down.
Self explanitory

4. Don't make quick steering adjustments.
Doing so can cause you to jack knife if you loose traction.

5. Find out road conditions for the areas you're traveling into each day.
Check them often.

6. When they reopen a road, wait and hour or two before you take off again.
Drivers will be anxious to get to their destination and the roads will be like the first 5 laps of the Indy 500. I've seen many accidents within the first 5 miles of the truckstop when they finally open a road. Let them 'beat up' the ice still on the roads. By letting them go first, they will help the sand and salt break up the ice on the roadway.

My personal preference on chaining up is this;
If the weather is nasty enough to chain up, it's too nasty to be on the road. There's enough idiots out there already. It's easier to reschedule a delivery than it is to pick up the load out of a ditch.

I know I've missed some things, so add them to the list.

[lonewolf]

My personal preference on chaining up is this;
If the weather is nasty enough to chain up, it's too nasty to be on the road. There's enough idiots out there already. It's easier to reschedule a delivery than it is to pick up the load out of a ditch.


same here,in my 14 years driving,i have only chained up once and that was when i first started,good list dave,here's another one of my personal preference's as far as driving on ice and snow

night driving
i never drive at night when there is snow or ice on the roads,after the sun goes down,the stuff that had melted somewhat during the day will start refreezing as it gets colder at night,seen many wrecks by drivers hitting patches of black ice after the sun goes down.

windsheild solvent
keep plenty of windsheild solvent in your truck,it doesn't take long for your windshield to get mucked up when the states start deicing a roadway,especially that new stuff,(can't think of what it is called right now)it will muck up a windshield in no time

[Foxfire]

On slowing down....... if you slow down and keep a constant pull on your truck you will not break traction. If you retain traction you are more apt to not have your trailer come up and say Hello to you.
I am like you Dave... if it's bad enuff for chains... I'm sitting in a safe parking spot somewhere. No load is worth my life or anyone else's. If they want it tomorrow they are gonna be overjoyed to get it the day after....lol
One thing I learned early in this trucking game.... ALWAYS use some kind of fuel additive!!!! I had a truck gel up on me one time...... and ONCE was enuff!
Also carry rubbing alcohol with you just in case your airlines ice up. I never had to use it but always had it and have passed it to others when they needed it.
In winter always carry more bedding than you need. I lost an engine outside of Denver one night and had to wait for a hook until the next morning. I was almost a popsicle when that driver got there. I didn't say a word to him until I got in his truck and got warm. From then on I have carried numerous blankets, thermal underwear, and invested in one of those heated blankets you plug in the cigarette lighter.
You flatbedders may want to think about layering your clothes as you are out in the cold more than others. And, wear a couple of pairs of socks. You may be bulky but you won't lose toes to frostbite or be frozen by the time you get back in the truck.
As always, let caution be your main word. Then double it in the winter.

[Uturn2001]

Stop often and clean those mirrors and side windows. A small squeegee and a squirt bottle of washer fluid is a quick a fairly cheap way to take care of it in any safe area.

If driving in a very dry snow do not run your defrosters unless you absolutely have to. Running the defrosters in a dry snow will only lead to ice up of the wipers and/or windshield.

Be careful of black ice, especially in the early mornings and early evenings and in shaded areas. The old rule of thumb of if you see spray coming from the tires it is just wet is not entirely true. You can get a thin sheet of water over the ice.

[Superman_Mike]

This may not apply to many people, but here goes.

When driving a single axle, your trailer will not try to come around, per se, but your drive axle is more likley to break traction.

In this case, you steer into the slide. I know, it doesnt seem right, and it didnt seem right when I slid into the MN point of entry on I94 at the MN/WI line. Things I can laugh about now.

The DOT must have been impressed also, as I got a nod and a wave from the scalemaster when I went by. I was in a hurry then to clean out my shorts.

The biggest thing is to slow down and use your mirrors much more often, and not to make sudden actions. Drive as far past the hood as possible.

I like to drive almost a mile ahead of me, cause I am a big sissy.

[Capt._Chaos]

I posted this in the Newbies Forum earlier:

http://www.truckstopusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4684

[Curlyfrompgh]

Rubbing Alcohol! Always keep at least a pint in the truck. It can be used in the airlines, as well as in the washer fluid. (1/2 pint to 2 gal) It is great for melting ice build up on the windshield. And it cuts right through that Mag/Calcium Chloride residue that builds up and runs you out of washer fluid trying to keep the screen clean.
Make sure you get real friendly with the controls of your truck! Generally this would go without saying but what I mean specifically is: Driving is mostly having a feel for the situation and reacting to it with a calm fluid motion. This applies to driving on just wet roads any time of the year. If you panic and press the brake too hard or turn the wheel too quick, you will end up with the same result, LOSS OF CONTROL.
Practice using the trailer brake, (trolley valve) by gently applying it so as not to lock up the trailer brakes, but bringing the unit to a stop. This is best done in a wide open snow covered parking lot. STAY AWAY FROM POLES! Practice downshifting to a stop without using the brakes at all. (This skill can be practiced anytime and will help you all the time)
No time is BEING ALERT, LOOKING AHEAD, and PLANNING AN ESCAPE ROUTE more important than when driving in winter conditions. If you understand what is possible you can prepare for it and not panic when it happens. When you are coming up on an exit ramp always go slow and be prepared to use the trailer brake (trolley valve) in case the steers lock up when you are in the curve. When your steers lock up on a curve, the truck will start going straight. DON’T PANIC! Don’t try to steer harder. (turning the wheel farther in the direction you want to go) DO let up off of the brake to unlock the steers and pull the trailer valve gently to slow the truck down without locking the steers again. The trailer tires are usually duals and on two axles. These will have more traction than the singles on the steer axle.
WINTER CLOTHING FOR FLATBEDDERS
The best thing I could recommend is going to an outdoor store and getting Performance Gear. This includes but is not limited to: Base layer- this should be form fitting to stay close to the body and be made of a material that wicks moisture away from the body. It is best to have top and bottom in low temps. Second layer should fit a little loose to allow fitting over the base layer, as well as, for movement. This will also trap air between the two layers. The third layer would be a coat and non-insulated cover-alls (optional) I say non-insulated so you can wear them in the summer as well if needed for a nasty load. If you dress in layers you won’t need the insulated kind and you’ll get more use out of them. Make sure when you go to buy them you give a little extra room to compensate for the bulk of winter clothing underneath. The key is to stay dry. If you stay dry you can keep warm. If you get wet it will be nearly impossible for your body to generate enough heat to keep up with the rapid heat loss through wet skin in frigid temps. You should always keep extra gloves in the winter no matter what kind of trailer you are pulling. If your gloves get wet change them for dry ones, then when you get back in the truck put the gloves on the floorboard by the heat ducts and crank the heat on feet! You can always roll the window down to still be able to breathe! By the time you get to the next stop all of your gloves should be dry and ready for the next time you need them.
HATS
90% of heat loss is through your head. I find that most of the time once I start working the hat holds too much heat so it comes off and then my ears get cold so it goes back on again. I like those ear warmers for these situations; they keep your ears warm while allowing a lot of excess heat to escape.
This is all I can think of right now but I'm certain I'll be reminded of more once the snow starts flying!

[Pipester]

On slowing down....... if you slow down and keep a constant pull on your truck you will not break traction. If you retain traction you are more apt to not have your trailer come up and say Hello to you.
I am like you Dave... if it's bad enuff for chains... I'm sitting in a safe parking spot somewhere. No load is worth my life or anyone else's. If they want it tomorrow they are gonna be overjoyed to get it the day after....lol
One thing I learned early in this trucking game.... ALWAYS use some kind of fuel additive!!!! I had a truck gel up on me one time...... and ONCE was enuff!
Also carry rubbing alcohol with you just in case your airlines ice up. I never had to use it but always had it and have passed it to others when they needed it.
In winter always carry more bedding than you need. I lost an engine outside of Denver one night and had to wait for a hook until the next morning. I was almost a popsicle when that driver got there. I didn't say a word to him until I got in his truck and got warm. From then on I have carried numerous blankets, thermal underwear, and invested in one of those heated blankets you plug in the cigarette lighter.
You flatbedders may want to think about layering your clothes as you are out in the cold more than others. And, wear a couple of pairs of socks. You may be bulky but you won't lose toes to frostbite or be frozen by the time you get back in the truck.
As always, let caution be your main word. Then double it in the winter.


Forget rubbing alcohol.

Use Methyl Hydrate that's mixed, it's called " Brake Line Anti Freeze". It has a small amount of oil in it that won't dry out the rubber seals in your brake system.

[Pipester]

Come on up to Canada and I'll run with you. Maybe go to Alaska, the road is not busy at all this time of year.

[Sleepyhead]

5. Find out road conditions for the areas you're traveling into each day.

One new feature I found handy on my cell phone is weather and traffic info. I also keep it on news radio in the early am to find out what the day will be like concerning the weather.

[LSMR]

On slowing down....... if you slow down and keep a constant pull on your truck you will not break traction. If you retain traction you are more apt to not have your trailer come up and say Hello to you.
I am like you Dave... if it's bad enuff for chains... I'm sitting in a safe parking spot somewhere. No load is worth my life or anyone else's. If they want it tomorrow they are gonna be overjoyed to get it the day after....lol
One thing I learned early in this trucking game.... ALWAYS use some kind of fuel additive!!!! I had a truck gel up on me one time...... and ONCE was enuff!
Also carry rubbing alcohol with you just in case your airlines ice up. I never had to use it but always had it and have passed it to others when they needed it.
In winter always carry more bedding than you need. I lost an engine outside of Denver one night and had to wait for a hook until the next morning. I was almost a popsicle when that driver got there. I didn't say a word to him until I got in his truck and got warm. From then on I have carried numerous blankets, thermal underwear, and invested in one of those heated blankets you plug in the cigarette lighter.
You flatbedders may want to think about layering your clothes as you are out in the cold more than others. And, wear a couple of pairs of socks. You may be bulky but you won't lose toes to frostbite or be frozen by the time you get back in the truck.
As always, let caution be your main word. Then double it in the winter.


Forget rubbing alcohol.

Use Methyl Hydrate that's mixed, it's called " Brake Line Anti Freeze". It has a small amount of oil in it that won't dry out the rubber seals in your brake system.


One thing to add on brake line antifreeze-Go easy when using this stuff.As a mechanic I have seen drivers dump quarts of this stuff in airlines trying to get a valve to release.Sometimes it just won't work!!Personally I try to find out what's frozen first.If it's a valve I CAREFULLY heat it with a heat gun or propane torch.After the valve starts working then I put a LITTLE antifreeze in the lines to prevent further problems.Personally I believe if a valve freezes on one of my customers trailers it's time to replace it.

[Pipester]

Dave,

When I got my last truck, I kept the Jake on in all kinds of conditions.

It won't lock up unless the ABS system isn't working.

[Big_Dave]

Dave,

When I got my last truck, I kept the Jake on in all kinds of conditions.

It won't lock up unless the ABS system isn't working.
True!

I don't know what model year the manufacturers started putting ABS on tractors, but the '95 Pete I owned didn't have ABS on it. That's why I mentioned that particular item. ;)