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Trucking Safely in Cold Weather

Oct. 25 2021 Seasonal By McCandless Truck Center

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The summer months are long gone, now, but trucking isn’t a job that takes a break just because it’s chilly. Cold weather doesn’t necessarily put a dent in your schedule, but the dangers it poses can mess with your deadlines. We here at McCandless Truck Center want to make sure you and your truck both get where you’re going safely, even in the winter, so we’ve put together some tips on trucking safely in cold weather below. To learn more, or to see the trucks we have for sale, contact any of our stores throughout Colorado and Wyoming, today!

1: Pre-Trip Inspection

Your first line of defense against cold weather hazards is to make sure your truck is ready for the trip before you ever turn it on. Maintenance issues and damage should be caught while you’re parked, so give your rig a thorough visual inspection before you drive. Start with the tires to make sure they have the correct air pressure, which can be impacted by cold air. Then verify first that the tires have enough tread, then that the tread on both sides is wearing down evenly. If it’s not, either your cargo distribution is off or you have an alignment issue.

Next, check your motor oil and antifreeze levels and top them off. Verify that all systems are functioning properly, including brakes, lights, and windshield wipers. Finally, make sure all windows and mirrors are clean to maximize your visibility.

2: Adjust Your Driving

Even if there isn’t much snow on the road, it only takes a light dusting to disguise obstacles or hide patches of ice, so make sure to always drive slower than you normally would. This ensures you have plenty of reaction time, both for compensating for unexpected road conditions and avoiding other motorists who aren’t driving so carefully.

Remember that larger trucks require around twice as much stopping distance on wet or snowy roads and ten times as much on icy ones. Always maintain a comparable follow distance to give yourself the space you need to avoid any collisions, and avoid sudden changes in speed and direction as much as possible.

3: Increase Visibility

Whether it’s snowing heavily or just a bit gray out, you should always keep your headlights on to ensure you can see and be seen clearly—and that goes double for night time. This is for your sake and the sake of any motorists who might not see you coming. Be extra cautious near intersections or one-way streets, since impaired visibility is especially dangerous there. 

4: Be Prepared

It’s always good to hope for the best but prepare for the worst. You’ll want a few supplies with you in case of emergencies, including:

And as always, when in doubt, wait it out! Pull over in overly-unsafe road conditions.

We hope these tips help keep you and your truck safe! For more information, contact us at McCandless Truck Center. We proudly serve Colorado and Wyoming—let us serve you today!