Winter Driving
Wyoming closes their roads when the weather conditions get as bad as they are right now. The winds are raging and gusts have to be in the sixties or seventies, at least. They rock my truck from time to time. Road closures are Wyoming's way of dealing with bad weather conditions. I've seen the entire state closed for hours at a time. I have to admit it's safer to be sitting out a bad storm than trying to travel in zero visibility. It slows commerce down and makes travelers angry, true, but so do ten car pile-ups! Personally, I prefer stopping for a storm to chaining up. There are a few suggestions I have, though.
Suggestion One
Make sure you have plenty of fuel in bad weather. You never know when you'll get stopped from road closure or an accident up ahead.
Suggestion Two
Have water and food in your car. Long waits can require more than patience. Also have a roll of toilet paper, just in case.
Suggestion Three
Extra clothes, blankets and waterproof galoshes are a good ides, too. Also, know what radio station to use for weather info, no matter where you're going.
Suggestion Four
If someone is expecting you, do your best to let them know you'll be late and why.
I'm traveling west bound to deliver a load in Oakland on Monday. It was supposed to be an easy trip with a stop at home to visit the wife. Ain't gonna happen now! According to the radio weather report, the storm I'm waiting out will be through later today. Good news. The bad news is that a much bigger, nastier one will be hitting about the time I reach Donner Summit. I guess I'll just hit the air horn when I pass my house.
The weather conditions on Donner (and many other roads across the country) will require chains instead of closed roads. Oh, they do close Donner Summit from time to time, but usually only because of accidents. Chaining isn't one of my favorite things and I've been know to wait out a storm rather than chain up. However, if you must use chains, here are a few suggestions.
Suggestion One
Make sure you have chains that fit your tires and are in good condition. There's nothing worse than discovering at the snow-covered roadside you have a broken chain.
Suggestion Two
Wear extra clothes to put on the chains, keep your dry clothes dry.
Suggestion Three
If you're in a 4-wheeler, make sure if it's front or rear wheel drive before putting the chains on. Chains go on the tires that move the car, not the steering tires.
Suggestion Four
Be careful where you pull off to chain up. Don't get so far off the road you have trouble getting back to continue your journey. But don't stop so close than an oncoming car will run into you while you're wrestling with the chains underneath.
Regardless of where you travel and what the weather conditions are, make sure you're prepared for the worst. One last suggestion... If you find yourself stranded, stay with your car if at all possible. Otherwise, follow your own tire tracks on foot. Sooner or later you'll come to a road that's traveled and find help.
Published by Don Lee
I'm a truck driver and cover most of the USA. My laptop is always near at hand so I can write whenever possible. View profile
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4 Comments
Post a CommentThere seems to be something wrong with the voting system. I've heard complaints from several AC writers lately. Hopefully they'll get it fixed and we can all vote like crazy!! LOL
Well I can see why you'd hate to use the heavy chains. I'd be pulling over too. I used to own a Jeep, but it's short wheelbase was tough on my wife's back so I'm in an Intrepid now. I love the front wheel drive. It's the next best thing to having four wheel drive. In my earlier days I had a Karmann Ghia and though I got good traction with the engine over the drive wheels, the front end still slid around. Another question: Why can't I vote on your article? I did the first time I read it, but now can't anymore. It doesn't seem fair.
Good questions, Youranter! Depending on where you are and what the DOT requires, you can either use light chains, (outside drivers only), heavy chains, (all the drivers), or full chains (including steering tires.) As much as I hate to chain up, if anything more than light chains is required, I usually just park the truck and wait until the road is cleared. About passenger cars, the chains go on the driving tires, whether they're also the steering tires or not. It's a matter of traction more than steering, but front wheel drive cars are much safer with chains than the rear wheelers are.
Don, we don't have much need for chains where I am. I wondered, when you chain your truck, must every tire be chained individually or does one chain cover two tires? Also, you say to put the chains on the power wheels, not the steering wheels. How can I do this on a front wheel drive vehicle? The power wheels are the steering wheels.