I concur with you folks about chaining as opposed to trying to drive without them. I say, no one would mind chaining if the weather was good. It's usually nasty-blizzard conditions and if it's at night you add the dark component and it's just not FUN!!!

I have a friend with all the right clothing so he says he doesn't mind. He has Carhart [sp?] overalls, big rubber boots, a coat with a hood and warm gloves. That's probably half the battle just staying dry while you're trying to throw iron!!!

He drives mostly between Denver and L.A. One of his other tips, besides the clothing is to to hit Eisenhower and Vail between noon and two. He said you usually stand less of a chance having to chain. I always hit the passes at those times and it's worked. Of course, there will be exceptions to that "tip" on occasion! Sizzle 8) :roll:

 

So you took the job? :shock: :lol:

 

Huge storm due in the west on Thursday 1/03, supposed to drop 9 to 10 feet of snow on Donner summit hiway 80 by mid-day friday. Cold northern storm, and high winds also expected. They say Sacramento should get 2 1/2 inches of rain.

Happy new year.

 

Bring it on!!! Can't wait to go snowmobiling... Looks like its going to be a stuckfest powder weekend!

 

Around here if you don't chain up then you won't make any money. We have drivers that have to chain up to get to their destination because it's a part of trucking. That's why they invented chains so that you could climb those grades without slipping and sliding around.

Right now in my neck of the woods we have drivers chaining up almost daily because of the constant snow through the interior of B.C. They are hauling fuel and do day trips from the Vancouver to Kamloops everyday. They want to be home at night in their bed not stuck on the side of some highway because they don't feel safe (there's a difference between your feelings and reality by the way). The drivers that I work with have confidence in their abilities and some with more miles then I could ever imagine to drive in my lifetime. It's not reasonable for them to stop what they are doing because of snow of the ground. It just makes them that much more cautious of what they are doing and how they are driving.

If you don't want to chain up because of snow you are in the wrong profession. It's a part of your job just like a pre-trip inspection is a part of your job. I know some of you don't even take on that responsbility. Some of you drivers need to grow a pair and take responsibility instead of "playing it safe."

 

Aint that a purrrrrty new "B-train" !!!

 

Super B-Train actually. 8 axles and close to 63,500 kilograms when loaded or for you American folk, translated 140,000 lbs when fully loaded.

 

LOL...I know what it is...and it's still a "Train"..super or not!!!! :lol: 8) A four axle truck pulling a 4-axle trailer holds just as much..just not here in the states..you can only go to 105,500 in WA, ID, MT, UT, NV and OR. Slightly more in MI..but I don't think your ever gonna road it to MI.

Now...resize the photo, so it fits??

 

is it better now?

 

Jer.. First I want to say... Hat's off to you Canadian Truckers. You do manage to "git'r done" under the some rough winter weather.

But before we go too much longer with this pissing match. I think some perspective is in order. Your attitude of... "If you don't want to chain up because of snow you are in the wrong profession." "Some of you drivers need to grow a pair and take responsibility instead of "playing it safe." :roll:

We have almost 2,000,000 tractor/trailers here in the USA. 26 of them are coming into Canada every minute. You have 163,000 tractor/trailers in Canada. You getting a little of what I am getting at?

If you think we do not have as many or more drivers who "have a set", you are wrong. I can lament about some Ontario/Que'bec drivers who are as bad as I often here US drivers are. For those people who do not wish to fight the snow to make a living, and "git'r done." We also have a huge region where they do not have to even own chains, or see snow period.

There are going to be many Carriers who end up in snow country in the USA who have little or no experience in winter driving. If they need to park it for a day...because they never drove on snow or ice before, and once they get this drop, they may not have to see snow again for some time...so be it.

We have a lot of drivers here. Out of the 2 million, I bet half have not spent much if any part of their lives in snow country.

Likewise.. nice rig :P