Winter Crash Course

Hey Gladhand, Please don't use the words Winter and Crash in the same post. How about, "Winter Accelerated Learning Course"?

Geez...good point.

I can just see it now. ANCHORMAN will start posting winter truck crash stories!!!

Some of our terminals offer chaining classes. I took one in Denver while I was waiting for my trainer. It's not an online thing. They do it outside and show you how to chain up and have you do it yourself.

Have a couple bottles of antigel on your truck just in case. Like others said, you shouldn't have to use it since fuel is already treated in the colder states. Ask the shop what kind if you're not sure. If the temperature gets below 15 or so, I idle just in case. Above that, you're fine. At my last job we had issues with our fuel gelling alot even though we used antigel at every fillup during the winter (we had small trucks so we filled up at normal gas stations where the diesel wasn't treated). Always keep bare minimum a quarter tank of fuel. Once your fuel gels it's usually too late--you aren't going anywhere until the weather warms up.

I really enjoy driving in the snow, although last winter was my first in a semi. It wasn't bad, really. Fully loaded is best, unless you hit ice. On ice it doesn't matter how much you weigh--you're gonna slip. If you ever deadhead in the snow though, GO SLOW. I remember deadheading down a straight road at about 45 mph in the snow with little to no wind--for no apparent reason, I just started slipping right off the road! In hindsight, there was very slight wind and the road was angled to the side just a smidge for drainage. That was all it took.

I obviously have very little experience with semi's in the snow. This is just what I learned from my first winter in it.

In states that have places where chaining is mandatory to proceed, do they give plenty of warning? Is there a service that sends out info like that to companies so that rerouting can be done well before you find yourself in that situation? Are there ways to find out when they close highways before you get there?

I have driven in snow/ice in my car, but I am really nervous about doing it in the truck.

In states that have places where chaining is mandatory to proceed, do they give plenty of warning? Is there a service that sends out info like that to companies so that rerouting can be done well before you find yourself in that situation? Are there ways to find out when they close highways before you get there?

I have driven in snow/ice in my car, but I am really nervous about doing it in the truck.

Don't know about the western states but the northeast was pretty good last year about using those electronic signs to warn of accidents and stuff. I would assume they would use the same signs out west to let you know if you need to chain up and if they are shutting down the highways.

In states that have places where chaining is mandatory to proceed, do they give plenty of warning? Is there a service that sends out info like that to companies so that rerouting can be done well before you find yourself in that situation? Are there ways to find out when they close highways before you get there?

I have driven in snow/ice in my car, but I am really nervous about doing it in the truck.

They use signs extensively. My main tools are the phone and the atlas. Use 511 every morning when starting out. I've never had any info from the company (Swift), but that's probably because the information changes very quickly. Along with 511 there are DOT websites for every state.

Colorado Road Conditions: (303) 639-1111. It has a menu that let's you select the road, and there's also a selection that will transfer you to neighboring states' road condition lines (Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Nebraska -- in case you were thinking of pulling out your atlas). The reports include whether the chain law is in effect. And if there's snow in the mountains or on the plains, those neighboring states might have better conditions and you can figure that out in a jiffy.

And this is exactly what I thought of when I saw the thread title.

And this is exactly what I thought of when I saw the thread title.

I surely thought Anchorman would be the first. Congrats.....you one upped our very own Ron Burgandy!