It's a Team's Life

WIND WIND WIND

Winds in Wyoming has shut us down a few times but this was a first for us in Montana.  As usual, the load was light and as I approached Livingston, MT there were signs saying high wind advisory.  More signs saying trucks towing trailers exit at Livingston.  The wind was really pushing me around and I had slowed my speed down to help.  By this time, I was ready for a break and as I drove through Livingston I stopped at a small truck stop to see if we could wait it out. 

Once I had set the breaks I looked up the Montana Road Conditions to see how far the wind advisory reached.   The map showed high wind dots for about 40 miles to Bozeman, Montana.  With plenty of time on the load to make delivery, I sat between two tractor-trailers and let the truck rock.  The movement was pretty wicked and I was glad to be sitting still in an upright position.  If we had not had the time to sit I would have called our agent and let them know that we were stopped and why.  The last thing an agent wants to do is have to call their customer and let them know their product is all over the highway due to an accident.  Keeping all parties aware of the touchy situation is the key as they know you are taking care of their load and will deliver as soon as safe to do so.

After a few hours of me checking the map every fifteen minutes, one of the dots was removed and the truck did not seem to be rocking as hard.  We decided we would rather start off in the daylight then wait till night and we proceeded on.  Well lo and behold we did not go ten miles and all wind was gone! What a relief as we proceeded through the snowy hills with dry roads safe and sound towards our delivery. 

Wind is not something to mess with and if the wind is pushing the truck around it is time to slow down and as soon as safe pull over and stop.  No load is worth getting blown over onto our side. 

When getting into the high wind if you have a lift axle up pull over and when stopped lower the lift axle.  Slow down so the wind cannot lift the truck up and proceed to where you can safely stop and wait till safe to proceed.  Check the states road conditions.  Often the fuel desk clerk will have great reports from drivers as well as the number to call and check road conditions.  Even if the road is not closed pay attention to how your truck is handling the wind and make a decision based on your situation not what a sign tells you.

Bob & Linda Caffee

TeamCaffee

Saint Louis MO

Expediters since January 2005

[email protected]

 

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