Question:
Well, being as I'm gonna be working here when the snow comes a'pourin down, what do you experienced people have by the way of advice?
It's likely I'll be on straight trucks, and hauling out of fields to local warehouses and factories. I'll be on and off the blacktop at all hours of the day and night.Professional Driver's Association UK Member
Owner of a threadbare gypsy soul.

Answer:
Take your time. Nothing is worth your life---or taking anothers.
If you do not feel comfortable for the condition, get off the road and wait until things get better (i.e. sand/salt trucks etc...).
When out west carry chains; you will need to show them during an inspection. Most areas are "proof of chains Oct. through April" (I belive don't quote me, but I'm not far off).
If you plan to use the chains, make sure you know how to apply them and on which set of tires. Take a while and it's cold out there.
If you're like me; park the truck until the chain law is lifted. I don't use chains and never will. I will carry them to satisfy johnny law.
If the weather is bad enough that D.O.T. requires chains for any certain area or pass, I park---it's as simple as that.
Not scared---not stupid either.
Keep an eye on your fuel; make sure you always have pleanty.
Make sure you have #1 Fuel (treated), or treatment to add to fuel.
I carry treatment. That way I only need to add it to the tanks if I know the weather's going to get real cold where I'm going. Saves money.
Fuel does'nt jell as quickly as you think, and buying #1 fuel all the time will get real expensive. (may take a few years experience to get the feel for when to treat your fuel).
Carry insulated coveralls---never know when you might be walking or outside for long periods of time.
You know; some of the safety tips given by local news channels everywhere for 4 wheelers apply to trucks too. ie. blankets, food, shovel etc....It's apparent this place is never going to change....then again; why should it? It gets the clientel it deserves.
Bette Midler

Answer:
When YOU do not feel it is safe. It is not safe. No matter how good the roads are to the experianced.
Do not drive white knuckled! It is fun for about a 15 mins. that is about it.
Snow, Ice, Rain, sleet, wind, or sun! If you do not feel safe DO NOT DRIVE!
It is that simple.202 N Main Street
Summerfield Il 62289
TRUCK PARKING AVAILABLE!

Answer:

HANGING IRON.
Yep, thats what its called... ....It hangs real well on those racks under the trailer.. ....and hanging there it can stay. I'm not going to get them dirty... ''


Answer:
#1 fuel? I bet the boss will love that.
Most fuel up north andin the midwest is already treated. Buy #2. No need to run kerosean.202 N Main Street
Summerfield Il 62289
TRUCK PARKING AVAILABLE!

Answer:

Ask PIPEMAN...that's what he does, in worse conditions than the northern plains.

Answer:
Lets see
1. Carry chains and know when and how to use them
A. when: snow or ice make it to slippery to travel use chains to get to a safe haven and park (if they would have been happy to get it on Wednesday they'll be even happier to get it on Friday.)
B. Get a booklet on how to apply chains from your carrier and do it on dry ground in the warm weather so you :
1. Know how to put them on
2. Know how to settle them on the tires
a. Have rubber bungees to tighten them
b. Have "cam-lock" tool
3. Know which tires they go on
4. Know that they are in good shape
a. no breaks
b. no wear (less than 1/2 way through or link or or crossover)
c. Fasteners work
C. Make sure that your tires have a minimum of half the tread left on them .
1. Deep lug tires with open tread on the edge work the best in snow and ice (the open lug allows the tire to shed the snow packed into the tread and gives the chains something to grab onto so the chains don't slip around on the tire)
D. make sure you have the following items:
1. old mud flap or similar waterproof item to lay on under truck if needed
2. Waterproof warm gloves
3. Hat with brim to keep slush from going down your neck when under truck
4. goggles to keep slush and road salt from going into your eyes
5. heavy insulated coveralls
6. waterproof boots
7. self igniting propane torch to melt things and extra tank
8. FOOD
9. water or pan to melt water
10. can of ether
r
11. warm coat
12. road flares
13. toilet paper
14. FLASHLIGHT and Extra Batteries
15. cell phone and extra batteries
16. entertainment
a. books
b. magazines
17. warm items
a. sleeping bag
b. extra blankets
18. dry clothes
19. chemical pocket hand warmers
20. baby wipes
E. ANYTHING that you think might be helpful
I'm sure I might have missed something but I hope this helps to give you a starting point

Answer:
I did most of my driving in the northeast "snow corridor" (how about I81 east of lake Ontario??) into and out of Canada, and I've probably done more snow driving than 90% of the people here.
First off, you won't get a lot of snow in ND. Wind, yes. Cold, yes. Ice, for sure. Snow will blow around a lot, but you just don't get a lot of those 12+" snowfalls we get over here.
When you break traction, lift an axle or 2 on your rig (you have 2 lifting axles, I assume, from the description of your unit). This will give you better traction to the drives. Also, always engage your power divider (inter-axle differential), and try to start in a higher gear.
Once going, leave lots of stopping distance. Be ready to counter-steer if you break traction, but try to not over-react. Get used to turning wide....
Answer:
Well, at least I'm not getting into too much dpeth... and since it's local work, not OTR then I'll not be too far from help.
If I need chains to get out the yard, then I'll be sitting in my camper with the heater on flat out...Professional Driver's Association UK Member
Owner of a threadbare gypsy soul.

Answer:
If you actually drive in the fields, you'll probably need chains more for mud......
Answer:
Around here we use the extra wide flotation mud tires for running in muddy fields. The tires are wider than duals and one tire takes the place of a set of duals. They got trator tire lugs on them, they sure will go threw a tonne of mud though, i have had the truck buried in mud at least a foot deep or more and the truck just keeps on going. If you do eventually spin out, it will always back right out. The only problem is there not really road legal, so we either run them anyway, or just pull off the licence plates and call it farm equipment.

Answer:
Hey, Alexx, tell some of them folks in Minot and Williston ND they do not get much snow.
I havn't been up there in about 10 years. I grew up in Minot. Many times the snow was so deep the plows and road snow blowers (they use a 16 ton 10 foor by 5 foot snow blower) were covered. 6' at times caused from drifting.
I am not sure if it is still like that or not, I do know they got more snow then I have ever seen, still I love the place.202 N Main Street
Summerfield Il 62289
TRUCK PARKING AVAILABLE!

Answer:
Top snowiest U.S. cities
LOCATION AMOUNT LOCATION AMOUNT
1. Blue Canyon, Calif. 240.3 9. Sexton Summit, Ore. 97.8
2. Marquette, Mich. 141.0 10. Muskegon, Mich. 96.1
3. Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. 117.4 11. Buffalo 93.6
4. Devils Lake, Ndak 115.6 12. Rochester, N.Y. 92.3
5. Caribou, Maine 111.6 13. Erie, Pa. 88.8
6. Mount Shasta, Calif. 104.9 14. Alpena, Mich. 84.6
7. Lander, Wyo. 100.4 15. Binghamton, N.Y. 84.2
8. Flagstaff, Ariz. 100.3 *Valdez, Alaska 326.0
Also, chains are not used in the North East like out west. In the north east running chains will get you a ticket in alot of areas. While not having chains on the truck or in the truck in the North West will get you a ticket.202 N Main Street
Summerfield Il 62289
TRUCK PARKING AVAILABLE!

Answer:
Don't get much snow in N.D.?
Guess that stuff I saw piled higher than the roofs of business's the last few years has been imported just to make folks think it was winter, eh?
Actually Allikat, Wombat covered it pretty well. Even if you're only running local, carry and learn how to put on a set of chains. Getting caught on a back country blacktop without them in freezing rain ain't no fun. Been there, done that.
Likewise follow his advice about carrying warm clothing, and keeping some food and a way to melt snow for water.
Up where you live, or anywhere in the central plains for that matter, the wind can turn that pretty snowcover into a zero visibility mess in a matter of minutes.
Snowfalls are usually predicted by the weather centers but they are less accurrate about wind predictions.

Answer:
Driving a straight truck from field to warehouse sounds like the kind of job where you will be expected to not get stuck. Period.
In a straight truck, that should be easy. Even easier when you're loaded, as your weight is on all axles. Don't try to drive thru big snowbanks.... in the 'oft chance that ND breaks out of its drought cycle this year and you actually come across a snowbank.
If you start to slide on ice look for snow to give you traction. Steer in the direction of the skid......
Do not affect sudden power changes; either up or down, as this will contribute to 'loss of traction'.
Be alert for icy conditions when the temperature hovers around 0 C. For the Liberians and Americans, and what you'll hear on the radio, it is around 30 F.
Don't get stuck and don't cart around all that "survival gear", keep your place in line and your dignity and everything will be fine. I hope you didn't have to marry one of those sheep farmers to get your job.....
I hope you do well.
.
.
.