Can trucks handle heavy snow or icy roads without too much slipping like my small car?

Question

I'm guessing yes since trucks have bigger wheels and trucks are heavier that it can handle snow and icy roads much like SUVs or 4-wheel drives can. I drive a small sporty car that easily slips in wintry weather and I live in Maryland. Chicago winters are much harsher. I ask because I am planning of moving to Chicago to drive trucks.

Answer 1

Well, the so-called "Top Contributor" is generalizing quite a bit.  Trucks are not ALWAYS safer than cars.  Most of time, probably, but not always.  (And then have the nerve to say, "don't let anybody fool you".  PLEASE.  I'm sure he's never been a trucker.

As for your question, on snow or ice, trucks have less stability. Weight doens't help a thing when you have an icy surface against rubber tires. Period.  Now, in rain, trucks are much, much easier to handle than automobiles.  Autos have little weight to them, and hydroplane much easier than heavy trucks.  I've driven tractor-trailers for a long time, and I know this from experience.

Answer 2

4 wheel drive only help get you going, doesn't help at all with handling once your moving.

Answer 3

Are you talking about Semi-trucks?

Answer 4

No driving is the same for all. When the weather is bad it effects ever one.The big trucks and slip and slide just like the rest and the 4 wheelers still think it,s summer driving. It,s the same drive no matter what you drive.

Answer 5

Trucks are safer than cars, don't let anybody fool you.

Answer 6

Semi's actually have a harder time in inner city driving because of their weight. Having to get moving on snow is tough for those heavy trucks, pulling a loaded trailer only makes it harder. You will have to install chains often.

Answer 7

ice is ice, if its slippery it dont matter what drives over it!

Answer 8

I am classified as a "professional driver" as I drive a "big rig" or"semi" or "truck" whichever term you want to denote. However, trucks are generally alot safer than a car in severe weather and will adhere to the road a lot better than a small vehicle will. Actually, the next time that you are driving in adverse weather, watch the trucks compared to the cars and you will see the difference quite clearly. The weight factor is that you have truck and trailer combinations weighing from 35,000lbs empty up to 130,000 loaded for a "B" Train. Also consider the width of a truck and the size of the tires which provide excellent traction and grip on roads. The downfall to all the weight is that in heavy snow or ice, the truck will have a hard time moving from a stop as it is just the tractor trying to get the weight momentum going. Secondly, running an empty trailer with no weight on the back is equally as hard as there is nothing to push the drives into the ground (the tractors rear axles) when climbing hills with glare ice or snow on them. Generally, on any hills where a truck loses speed and it has snowed or icy will call for chain-up. Most times it will be the Super "B"'s who are carrying the most weight as they are reduced in road speed from 100 down to 30km/hr in a matter of a couple minutes. When this occurs, there is no traction for the tractor to keep the momentum of the truck going uphill. I should also note  that there is a big difference between glare ice and black ice. Glare ice is alot easier to maneouver on and as long as you do not make any sudden stops you can drive on it all day long as it will just crunch underneath your tires and provides enough grip to keep a highway speed going. Black Ice is smooth and blends in with the road making it look wet. In the case of Black Ice, it doesn't matter whether you have 4 wheels or 30 wheels. You will slip and slide and be in an accident unless you have observed it and notice that you are on it and know what you are doing to slow down on it. Black ice is the scariest thing for any driver to be on and it is not fun trying to slow a truck down on it. I have been in this situation many times and only with experience can a driver keep himself out of the rhubarb...the biggest mistake people make is slamming on the brakes. As for your car, my suggestion is to go and add some weight like sandbags to the rear or trunk until you can actually feel the weight and test the difference. You will notice that some pickup drivers tend to keep heavy objects in their pickups to keep the weight on the rear where generally that is the slipperiest part. This is no different than a truck who needs the weight on their driving axles. Anyways, hope this helps.