Ready For Winter To Be Over

Winter is just like the Mafia. Just when you think you are out, they pull you back in.

My winter as a whole has not been bad, weather wise. However, my last two assignments involved some hazardous road conditions. One was to Syracuse NY. Then I got a load in Allentown PA for North Platte NE. The trip to North Platte was good, but the weather came in while I was parked waiting for my delivery appointment.

After I got empty I headed for Liberal KS on 83 southbound. Slow going, but doable. Got about 140 miles south and the road got very icy. I was the only vehicle on the road in either direction, so I decided to stop in the road to actually get out and check the road surface condition. Big mistake. The strong wind was coming at me broadside from my right. Before I could even open my door, I looked in my mirror and here comes the rear of the trailer trying to get into the left lane. This confirmed that the road was iced over, lol. Fortunately, I had not turned the engine off or even took it out of gear at that time. So I was able to accelerate and stay in front of the trailer. If I hadn’t been able to do that, it would have resulted in a jackknife of some degree of severity.

The trailer behaved as long as I kept going (about 20 mph max). I made it about 8 more miles to the junction of 83 and I70 north of Oakley KS. There is a Cenex truckstop there with a big lot. I parked there and was thankful I made it safely.

I will think twice before stopping again on a potentially icy road in strong winds. The sight of that trailer swinging around was one I could do without.

So, how has your winter been so far?

Dang Bruce, I don’t miss that. Thankfully you knew what to do to prevent a really bad situation. I try and usually am successful staying in the south.

Here is a pic from a few winters ago

Cured me!!!

This winter was the coldest I can sure remember. -10 in January and I spent most of a week in Wisconsin, had never been there when it was that cold and sure don’t want to repeat the experience. Had five trailers with gummed fuel (reefer) because other drivers didn’t bother to put anti gel (I call it anti hell - prevents a lot of hell) even after thrice daily fleet wides on the QUALCOMM.

This was all during that mega storm we had a couple months back - I was in Ohio before WI and at the bright hour of 0300 I was preparing to leave and I noticed my mirrors were iced, like the unknowing dummy I was I grabbed my windex and the spray turned into blue crystals on the first shot. Spent the better part of 20 minutes using a scraper to get the stuff off. Will never do that again!

There was also the customary once a winter fall on my rump. I’m sticking to FL and the south during the months of Nov to March…..winter is not my finest hour!

This winter was the coldest I can sure remember. -10 in January and I spent most of a week in Wisconsin, had never been there when it was that cold and sure don’t want to repeat the experience. Had five trailers with gummed fuel (reefer) because other drivers didn’t bother to put anti gel (I call it anti hell - prevents a lot of hell) even after thrice daily fleet wides on the QUALCOMM.

This was all during that mega storm we had a couple months back - I was in Ohio before WI and at the bright hour of 0300 I was preparing to leave and I noticed my mirrors were iced, like the unknowing dummy I was I grabbed my windex and the spray turned into blue crystals on the first shot. Spent the better part of 20 minutes using a scraper to get the stuff off. Will never do that again!

There was also the customary once a winter fall on my rump. I’m sticking to FL and the south during the months of Nov to March…..winter is not my finest hour!

Haha! Anti-Hell additive. That’s funny I’ll have to remember that one.

Glad you got it straightened out BK. I'm definitely burnt out on winter as well.

I had two trailers, both empties lift off the ground this winter. One on 25 by monument in Colorado, just a brutal little spot there. Drivers side tandems were noticeably in the air and I ended up riding the shoulder and dirt for a good bit.

The other was on the 10 as it crossed the 15 in socal. The wind shoots down el cajon pass like a bellows there. I was headed east, same thing, it pushed me to the shoulder against the wall and lifted the tandems. There were 4 trucks on their side in that area the next day.

I drove a couple miles along the shoulder so if if did go over it would just go against the wall there. 5 or so trucks did the same. Running lightweight in Wyoming is like playing Russian roulette an automatic, burnt on it.

Glad you got it straightened out BK. I'm definitely burnt out on winter as well.

I had two trailers, both empties lift off the ground this winter. One on 25 by monument in Colorado, just a brutal little spot there. Drivers side tandems were noticeably in the air and I ended up riding the shoulder and dirt for a good bit.

The other was on the 10 as it crossed the 15 in socal. The wind shoots down el cajon pass like a bellows there. I was headed east, same thing, it pushed me to the shoulder against the wall and lifted the tandems. There were 4 trucks on their side in that area the next day.

I drove a couple miles along the shoulder so if if did go over it would just go against the wall there. 5 or so trucks did the same. Running lightweight in Wyoming is like playing Russian roulette an automatic, burnt on it.

Yeah, Davy, you run much more dangerous routes than I do. And with a lighter trailer.

When my trailer decided to take the scenic route, I was empty but still, it was a heavier reefer trailer. I’m not sure if it would have slid if I was loaded. I know it would at least been more resistant to the wind.

Davy, I know you like to live a life of danger. Maybe it’s time you bail out and join us reefer drivers, lol.

I much prefer winter over summer because I get hot too easily. But, the road conditions...eesh. I have been pretty fortunate to have been able to route around weather issues, or finding myself just ahead/just behind.

When I read that you were the only one on the road in either direction, the very first thing that popped in my head was: "And you probably shouldn't be, either." You got yourself to a safe location to park, so all is good.

I think I saw you over near Allentown the other day. I was picking up a load in Breinigsville, PA going to Crafton, PA.

I just spent the last 4 days in Northern Minnesota, from Bemidji up to International Falls. Drove through three separate storm warnings.

Winter holds no further interest for me. 🥶

I just spent the last 4 days in Northern Minnesota, from Bemidji up to International Falls. Drove through three separate storm warnings.

Winter holds no further interest for me. 🥶

Here was my truck when I arrived in Bemidji Sunday night. By the time I left International Falls on Wednesday to head south, it was 10 times worse!

By the time I reached Cloquet, a couple hours south in normal conditions, on the road surrounded by clean vehicles, it looked like a well seasoned manure spreader.

I much prefer winter over summer because I get hot too easily. But, the road conditions...eesh. I have been pretty fortunate to have been able to route around weather issues, or finding myself just ahead/just behind.

When I read that you were the only one on the road in either direction, the very first thing that popped in my head was: "And you probably shouldn't be, either." You got yourself to a safe location to park, so all is good.

I think I saw you over near Allentown the other day. I was picking up a load in Breinigsville, PA going to Crafton, PA.

Ryan, your observation is correct. I definitely should not have been driving when I was. Part of the reason that I was all alone out there was that it is in a sparsely populated rural area at 0300 in the morning.

Poor judgement on my part and I will be more cautious in the future. When I realized it was not wise to continue, it took many more miles to find a safe place to park until the roads got better.

The only other trucks out were the bull haulers, passing me like I was a slow moving vehicle.Those guys are crazy. It is amazing to me that I don’t see bull haulers in the ditch or wrecked. I’m sure it happens but I’ve never seen one.