If you’ve ever watched the TV show Ice Road Truckers, you’ve seen truckers taking on some of the harshest weather conditions on the planet. Indeed, snow, ice and wind can give truckers trouble– anywhere.
Sometimes you’ll need to put the chains on, to help your tires get better traction when the roads are a sloppy, snowy, icy mess. Before you head out on a long haul, make a mental note of places along the route where you know you can chain up and chain off. Also, a pre-trip inspection should be done to make sure all your lights are working.
Also, be a student of the weather, so you know what to expect. Listen to XM radio, the Weather Channel, or NOAA weather to get driving conditions ahead. If the roads are bad, slow down– you may need to go 25 miles per hour for safety’s sake.
As you probably know, stopping a truck on a slick road has its challenges, and if you’ve got frozen brakes, heaven help you. Condensation in the air lines is the main cause of frozen brakes, so do whatever it takes to avoid that problem.
Meanwhile, if you’re driving in bad weather, stop every so often to knock snow and ice off the mud flaps, ICC bumper, and chain hangers. Wipe off lights, too. Also, it’s a smart idea to carry extra washer fluid and anti-gel with you for those times you desperately need them.
Every trucker should have with them bungees, cam lock T-handles, waterproof gloves, a reflective vest, a flashlight, and, of course, chains. In cold weather regions, be sure to have hats, gloves, scarves, blankets and boots “just in case” you get stuck or stranded somewhere. And, finally, a well-charged cell phone these days can be your lifeline should the weather mess with your trip and you need to communicate with others about your plight.