some winter driving sense

[OverBoardProject]

I know that this only makes sense to most people, but my mechanic friend and I took a 800+km (500 mile) trip yesterday to pick up a truck, and we encountered very bad roads on the return trip.

Both of us drove probably faster than we should trying to get back before midnight, but while we were flying along some cars passed us... we saw pretty much everyone that passed us in the ditch.

We both made it safely, although I did almost miss 1 corner that I know very well in a white out.

I supose that I'm trying to say that while driving this winter try driving during the daylight hours, and allow plenty of extra time.

try keeping the headlights clean, and I personally always carry a spray bottle filled with winter window washer and a clean rag for my headlights

When you do have to drive after dark never out-drive your headlights, and you'll often have to use dim's just to see.


And although I did have most of the tools that I would need for any roadside repair on both cars, I had taken out my flashlight the night before and forgot about it. It's the only time in 5 years that I had to make a roadside repair (and of course after dark) replacing my alternator belt (and I did have a spair belt) so I had to drive to the next garage and buy another flashlight. So I guess that I wasn't fully prepared for the trip.

So be smart, and you should be safe.

[movin2stereo]

My job depends on people's (not so) winter driving skills.

[justinofdurham]

....and to rwd vehicles make sure your weight in the back is sufficient, i know it sounds logical but you would be surprised at how much weight some cars need in the back just to get going.

[OverBoardProject]

Movin2, now we all know why your truck is so nice, all those spare parts from your customers trucks... just kidding

Actually I was in my fwd car, with really good new snow tires on. I only spun loose once. My mechanic friend was driving in 4wd pretty much the whole trip back.

[movin2stereo]

I just think it's pretty wild that we get snow every year and how people forget to slow down and drive in the snow.I could understand if a person was from down south and never dealt with the snow before,but when you get snow year after year.It's kinda funny.All kind of vechicles,RW,FW,4W get banged up.Many times people with 4W drives have a fasle sense they can stick to the road just for the fact they have 4W drive.This is false.When a truck comes in they are usually banged up pretty good because of this false hope.

[OverBoardProject]

your right Movin2, and a 4x4 often takes longer to slow down with the extra weight behind it

[vtmecheng]

how much weight do you all put in the back of your s10's to get around in snow?

[OverBoardProject]

that really depends on the type of roads that you are driving on, your tires, and what not.

with pickups I like to take 2 - 2x6 boards cut long enough to go from 1 box side to the other, then I place 1 in front of, and 1 in back of the wheel wells.

Then I use wire, or more boards, or just about anything to hold them together, place some screen in here, and fill it up with 1/2" rocks (not gravel)
These rocks never seem to freeze together so when I need the extra traction I just take a shovel full and throw it under my tires.

I just throw around 50 shovels full of rocks to start with, and if I need more I just go grab more.

The road department in your area should know where the rocks that I use are located, and they are the same ones that they use in new ashphalt.

[vtmecheng]

What do you do with the rocks after the winter?

[vtmecheng]

btw, I have a '95 S10 pickup with 4.3 Z and BFG all-terrains. My truck also has after market springs in the rear that are stiff and morning wood and raise the back end up a bit.

[OverBoardProject]

I have a long gravel driveway, so I never have problems getting rid of any small rocks. You can always bring them back to where you got them from I supose.

BFG AT's are probably one of the best rated all-season tires for the winter, so you shouldn't have too many problems

[justinofdurham]

i built a wooden crate from the cab to the back axle and i threw in 50 logs 2 cynder blocks and two 70 pound sand bags. when your done keep the sand bags for next year and burn the logs and it gives pretty good traction. again though its hard to tell how much you really need so just make sure you out enough weight in instead of too little. sand bags are only like 4 dollars each so a couple of those wouldnt break the bank but it gives you a nice amount of weight in a compact area.

[OverBoardProject]

The hills where I live are getting snow now.

Plus I'm friends with a Flag girl that had to direct traffic around a really bad accident yesterday.

So I thought that it's about time to bring this thread back up to the top.

Although yesterdays accident wasn't due to slippery roads or anything. It was due to someone passing over a double solid line. (head on collision, Deaths occured)

So I hope that we all keep it safe this year when we are behind the wheel.