I need to know how to drive a set of doubles on snowy mountain weather safely, i reently got my cdl drivers l

Question

soon i will be going to mountain roads, i need some tips from people with expirience, please help.

Answer 1

Don't drive faster than conditions will allow.keep power to drive tires at all times while moving,avoid too much brake pressure as the trailers tires might lock up and slide on the snow.if weather is too bad.stop and wait till conditions are better,remember you have your liFe and those around you in your hands so try not to hurt anyone..THINK SAFETY FIRST AT ALL TIMES....The freight can wait!!!!!!!!!! from another driver with over 1 million safe miles 22 years experience and driver instructor....

Answer 2

Everybody has given you some good advise.  I have spent the last 30 years and about 2.5 million miles looking at life through the windshield of a truck.  I spent a lot of that time running "wiggle-wagons" over the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.  I can understand your concern and and complement you on your question.  

Here is my take on what to do.... if you don't have to go when it's really bad, don't!  Park the truck and wait for the plows to clear things a little and lay down some sand.  If you don't really have that option, and feel you can go, then do so very slowly.  

Something to keep in mind regarding diesel engines....   They produce torque at low rpms and horsepower at the upper end of the rpm band.  When climbing a hill, keep the rpms up high.(1700 - 1800).. it won't produce as much torque (which causes wheel spin) and if it does spin, the engine will hit the governer before the truck tries to jack-knife.  On the other side of the coin.... going down hill, come off the top very, VERY slowly in a lower gear and at the bottom of the rpm band.... ( 1000-1200).  Use your brakes very lightly just to maintain your slow speed... (15-20 mph)  The reason for this... if that second trailer would start to come around, you can step on the throttle and pull against it, which in most cases will pull it back around behind you.... If this should happen.... DO NOT PANIC and hit the brakes....  Once you have it behind you again, then lightly apply the brakes and get your speed back down.

Always put the heaviest trailer in front and the lightest one on the back.  If you happen to be empty, Park the rig and go to sleep.  Do not try to do steep grades or high winds with an empty set of doubles.  If you are running on packed snow and ice, try to keep the right side of the rig in the soft snow on the shoulder.  Don't run in the tracks of all the other cars and truck that have gone before you.  If you are making your own "path", you will have better traction.  All you have to do is move over to the right a foot or so.... if one side of the truck is in soft snow, it will make the whole truck more stabile as far as wanting to jack-knife.

I could probably write a book on this, but don't have the room here.  If you want to discuss this further, feel free to email me and include your email address.

Good luck and take your time.... that load is not worth your life or someone elses.  They would rather have it late, than not at all....

Safe motoring...

Answer 3

If you're driving the western USA, learn the proper way to install tire chains on your rig. You WILL need them at some time.  

Get yourself an XM or Sirius satellite radio and keep track of the weather conditions on the route ahead of you.  If the weather is really bad, be prepared to spend up to several days parked in a truck stop or in rest areas along the highways leading to mountain passes.  

Just remember that no matter how loud your dispatcher yells, there is NOTHING in the back of that truck that is worth risking your life over.  If you don't think it's safe, don't go!

Answer 4

Very carefully!

And try slowing down,  more following distance,  looking far ahead and planning your next action to avoid any sudden moves.    Know the chain laws for every state you will drive in,   know how to install chains if you need them.  

And most importantly-----  if you don't feel comfortable at any time,   know enough to park the silly thing.    In case of accident,  it is you that will get the blame,  not the dispatcher or customer.   Any time you don't feel comfortable,  whether due to slick conditions,  illness,  fatigue,  or any other reason,  you are the responsible party over the truck.   Park it!!