Trucking In The Winter
Hauling cargo across the city, state, or county is a 365 day job, so there’s no stopping just because the temperature drops and days get shorter. That means you’ll need to prepare for trucking in weather that can be windy, icy, or otherwise dangerous. After all, just because your job is necessary doesn’t mean it has to be dangerous.
To help you keep up productivity without taking extra risks, we here at McCandless Truck Center have put together some tips for handling the winter weather and keeping your truck in good shape.
If you want to know more or you’re looking for a new truck, contact our stores across Colorado and Wyoming. Our friendly staff will find what you need at the prices you want!
Supplies And Materials
The first step in winter driving is making sure you have all the necessary items and gear for handling winter weather. We can provide a list of some basics, but ask around at stops on your routes to build on it. More experienced truckers will have their own advice for handling the weather.
- Winter wiper blades: These are bigger, sturdier blades meant to handle storms, either with snow or rain. They’re designed to minimize ice accumulation as well.
- Winter fluids: Whatever fluids your truck uses will need to be supplemented or replaced with cold-weather equivalents. This keeps them from freezing when you need them.
- Fuel treatment: This is part of the last tip, but important enough to repeat. Use special fuel treatments to prevent your gas from gelling and freezing.
- Jumper cables: Winter isn’t kind to batteries, so be ready to jumpstart your truck or someone else’s.
- Windshield scrapers and brushes: Clearing ice and snow from your windows and mirrors by hand gets you going faster.
- Extra blankets and clothes: Bring a change of clothes in case you get soaked, and some blankets can help make your drive more comfortable.
This is in addition to your typical gear like a first aid kit and toolkit.
Tire Gear
Big rig accidents are commonly related to tire failure, and that’s much more frequent in cold weather. There are a few supplies and parts you’ll want to stock up on for your wheels specifically:
- Winter tires: Snow tires or general winter tires are designed for better traction in slippery spots, though replacing all your tires can be expensive.
- Chains and cables: If you don’t want to dish out the dough needed to replace your tires, chains and cables can help. Have them ready so you can put them on at a moment’s notice or for when you’re traveling through snowy areas. Just laying them down without attaching them can help you get unstuck.
- Cat litter: A bottle of cat litter is a clean, compact way to get a bit of extra traction under your tires to get you moving again. We recommend a bottle specifically so you can close it up again.
You’ll also need to be vigilant about tire maintenance. Make sure to check your air pressure every morning before a drive to get an accurate reading and ensure your tires are ready for the road. You should also check the tread regularly for signs of excessive wear or damage.
General Maintenance
Keeping up with regular maintenance and servicing can help ensure your rig is prepared for any scenario and prevent breakdowns on the road. This is an easy and necessary part of ownership, so don’t let up on it even if business starts to slow. You’ll need to inspect your rig daily and change your oil out regularly. Frequent maintenance and inspections will help you find potential problems before they become a danger to you or those around you.
When In Doubt, Pull Over
If the road is slick and the winds are high, there’s no shame in pulling over for an hour or so to wait for the wind to die down. Your deadline isn’t more important than safety! Depending on how bad the weather is, you may need to be ready to stay overnight at a nearby motel or hotel. This is especially true when traveling through flooded areas or mountain passes.
Winter trucking is a dangerous game, but you don’t need to drop your job entirely because the weather’s gone south. Stay safe and drive cautiously and you should be just fine. For more advice, or to restock on some of the supplies we mentioned, contact us at McCandless Truck Center. We proudly serve the people of Colorado and Wyoming—let us serve you today!