Winter Driving

[Mailer]

Someone mentioned snow in SD today. Would love to see any comments or suggestions on expediting driving in the winter added to this thread. Thanks in advance

Oh by the way, last winter, I took pics of the mishaps along the way. I made the video out of them. Just to remind all of us, me included, that the dangers are out there. Be safe


Magisto Video | Expedited 0.1

 

[Chris@Doms]

Yeah I had a driver total two 16' footers in less then 48 hours last year...
Icy ramp entering the expressway, side swiped a pickup. Then avoiding a collision he decided to use a rock wall as the brakes. Ripped it open like a can of sardines.

 

[Bruno]

Winter time can be very hard on everyone and drivers should prepare themselves for all the things that can and will go wrong. Here are some things that I always kept in my truck during the winter.

1. Keep extra food and water in the truck as you never know when the highway can be shut down.

2. Always try to keep your truck at a half a tank of fuel and use additives to keep the fuel from gelling up.

3. Keep extra blankets, a heavy jacket and warm boots in the truck in case you brakes down. You never know how long a service truck or tow truck may take to get to you.

4. Always make sure you keep your cell phone charging as you're driving in case you break down.

5. Keep extra wipers, washer fluid, oil, fuses, wire, butt connectors, belts, and tools in the truck that can help you make it into a repair shop safely.

6. Keep a CB in your truck even if you don't talk on it. You never know when you may need to call out to another driver for some help if you have no cell signal.

7. Watch or listen to weather reports every day.

Other driver I'm sure will add to this list as we do things different.

 

[pearlpro]

Id add a couple things, Water for Drinking, INSIDE the cab, if you were to get stuck or be stranded, WATER can save your life....DEICER to unfreeze locks, Doors, Hinges when you get into Extreme weather, Treating your Locks with Graphite often during the winter can prevent frozen locks......I keep a BBQ Lighter that I can use to unfreeze the stubborn locks, HI ENERGY FOOD, like Peanut butter or Energy bars....Have your battery tested to be sure its up to snuff for cold weather, as well as your Antifreeze...I was in a Blizzard in Grand Isle NB, It got down to almost 40 Below zero, typical fuel treatments may not be enough and you may have to be sure your using enough....read the labels, check the makers website....EXTREME weather that weve been having between Hot and Cold can make GREASE an issue, again I had this issue and using and servicing with a extreme lubricant during these months can be a Truck Savior...Castrol Blue, and others make these.....especially if its really slushy and salty, you may need to add grease more often to U joints, Ball Joints etc...I also carry a Extra Battery for my Cell Phone, or external charging pack, and keep it plugged in for those times.......

Driving in bad weather requires PATIENCE...you cannot rush it, not if the roads Icy and snow packed....slow and steady is the way to travel, dont risk your life....if its that bad Stop. I see a couple guys every year theyll fly by on the hammer lane, and a bit down the road there on the HOOK.....PATIENCE....ARRIVE ALIVE.

 

[Mailer]

I had years of driving over ice and snow, I'm very experienced. That what I thought. Until last year, when I had a double 360 spun out on icy I 55 that would make Tonya Harding looks like a kindergarten, lol.

Though I was lucky, no other cars or trucks were around. The next day I went and bought the new set of tires, even though the old ones still have some thread left. It sure made a big difference. New and softer rubbers tend to grab the ice better.

 

[iceroadtrucker]

Speaking of Ice and Snow. I wonder what the British and Sherman Doberman Tanks going to do this winter. Last winter everyone ran south and hide I stayed out and went through the muck. Just remember something its going to be along winter and the Dr and Cr & Er don't rock and Roll on the ice and snow for that matter. Its going to be long Cold Hard Winter this year. I here.. Get My Drift. Snow Drift that is. Going to cost the states big time to Plow the Roads this year. Going to be a really cold Snow and ICY Winter this Year!!!!!! Hey Christmas is just around the Corner. YEA.. Now is that good? Sure it is!!

 

[Mailer]

..... Last winter everyone ran south and hide I stayed out and went through the muck....

Say bro, iceroadtrucker+winter driving=awesome Just don't do the spin like I did, lol.

 

[iceroadtrucker]

Say bro, iceroadtrucker+winter driving=awesome Just don't the spin like I did, lol.

That wouldn't be a good thing in a Tractor Trailer now would it. No worries!! This year when called and asked can you?? I' be THINKING wasn't run me in the summer months not run me in the fall, Remarks used its SLOW, now that all the fare weather drivers were Fed and are fat Dum and happy at home; u need me to do what??? Merry Christmas. Click!

 

[FlyingVan]

1. Slow down, no matter how many super-truckers pass you.
2. If it gets so bad that even slowing down doesn't seem safe, just pull over. Chances are that in a few hours the road would be clear.
3. Remember!!!! No load is worth your life. Also remember that if you end up in the ditch, chances are that you will loose your job, not to mention also the down time to fix your vehicle, maybe even injury. A few hundred dollars is not worth loosing your job.

In 9 years of expediting I had to give up 2 loads, since it wasn't safe to continue on to the pickup, and 3 loads I delivered late, after pulling over a few hours for the roads to clear.