I Need A New Pair Underwear (near Miss)

Glad you were able to manage that situation with good judgement and quick action Rob. Hopeful everyone faired well in this crazy train of events.

Sorry about the confusion towards the end of last post I was trying cram it in as dinner was finishing up. He was following too close (in my opinion) but when the incident happened the tanker was in the process of moving in front of me, and the pickup hit near the tankers rear tires. Had he not been following too close prior he would've likely been farther back which would've given him even more time to stop. Although he didn't do anything wrong at the exact moment he chose the ditch what he did in the moments leading up to doing so I'd think this will result in a preventable for him. Regardless, I feel everyone involved handled the situation the best way possible at the moment it began. Had any of us made drastic moves, this could have ended much different.

Its been a busy day and now that I'm getting ready for bed I went back through it and gosh my thoughts were all scrambled hahaha! Long story short things change REAL fast out here, in ways you don't expect (as Old School pointed out)

Glad you're safe and sound, Rob. Very glad!

#dashcam

Glad you escaped without incident, Rob. This is the stuff that occupies a small part of my brain and scares the crap out of me.

I was deadheading from Syracuse to Buffalo last weekend. Started with no snow, then kept getting a little heavier as I went.

Near Batavia I was down to 45, but the roads still weren’t too bad. I was keeping my distance. A flatbed started moving into my lane right in front of me, so I let off the accelerator, meaning to drop back. Being empty, I didn’t want to get on the brakes if I didn’t need to.

When he was about 3/4 into my lane, like flipping a switch, visibility was near zero, and everyone in front of us just stopped dead. Truly an oh **** moment.

I got on the brakes and started to skid. Was headed for the left rear of the flatbed. Got off the brakes and headed for the shoulder, and luckily he realized I was about to hit him and headed back to his lane. I missed him by 3 feet and stopped in time to avoid the stopped cars. Grabbed the mic and started yelling back it down, whiteout, waiting for someone to plow into me.

Luckily everyone was able to stop, and spent the rest of the drive from Batavia to Buffalo at 10 to 15 mph, barely able to keep my wipers clear. Had to flick them a few times, something I hate doing as it isn’t the safest thing.

Two things that surprised me was that I didn’t panic, and somehow as I rode beside the tanker unable to see with wipers icing up and defrosters cooking me, the tankers windshield was perfectly clear, with no wipers going at all. I would love to know how he did that.

And some advice. GET A RADIO!!!! I’m amazed how few truckers have a radio.

Two things that surprised me was that I didn’t panic, and somehow as I rode beside the tanker unable to see with wipers icing up and defrosters cooking me, the tankers windshield was perfectly clear, with no wipers going at all. I would love to know how he did that.

Keep the cab cold in a cold snow. Only need heat in a wet heavy snow.

Very slightly cracking the window can help to.

Two things that surprised me was that I didn’t panic, and somehow as I rode beside the tanker unable to see with wipers icing up and defrosters cooking me, the tankers windshield was perfectly clear, with no wipers going at all. I would love to know how he did that.

Keep the cab cold in a cold snow. Only need heat in a wet heavy snow.

I keep my inside visors down 24/7.

Install the best winter wipers I can find. I spray WD40 on a rag, then wipe down the exposed rubber on all parts that don't touch the windshield glass. Do this once a month and ice will not build up.

I run the defrost as needed, then crack open the passenger window about an inch.

I also only use the -30 degree washer fluid from September through May. You can only find this wiper fluid from I-80 northwards, or in Canada, from my experiences. I also add a cap of apple cider vinegar for each gallon of fluid. Lowers the freezing point of the fluid and cuts the road grime better.

If my next truck is a new one, I'm going to install heated wipers on it.

I keep my inside visors down 24/7.

Install the best winter wipers I can find. I spray WD40 on a rag, then wipe down the exposed rubber on all parts that don't touch the windshield glass. Do this once a month and ice will not build up.

I run the defrost as needed, then crack open the passenger window about an inch.

I also only use the -30 degree washer fluid from September through May. You can only find this wiper fluid from I-80 northwards, or in Canada, from my experiences. I also add a cap of apple cider vinegar for each gallon of fluid. Lowers the freezing point of the fluid and cuts the road grime better.

If my next truck is a new one, I'm going to install heated wipers on it.

Holy crap the tips....I'm writing these all down right now. Thank you.

I keep my inside visors down 24/7.

Install the best winter wipers I can find. I spray WD40 on a rag, then wipe down the exposed rubber on all parts that don't touch the windshield glass. Do this once a month and ice will not build up.

I run the defrost as needed, then crack open the passenger window about an inch.

I also only use the -30 degree washer fluid from September through May. You can only find this wiper fluid from I-80 northwards, or in Canada, from my experiences. I also add a cap of apple cider vinegar for each gallon of fluid. Lowers the freezing point of the fluid and cuts the road grime better.

If my next truck is a new one, I'm going to install heated wipers on it.

Holy crap the tips....I'm writing these all down right now. Thank you.

Yep, EXCELLENT THREAD, Optical!! Needed a bump, anyway.

Got anything to add yourself, yet?!?! Hope all is well, good sir.

~ Anne ~