Question:
Passing thru SW Nebraska this morning as the temperature started rising above freezing.
I moved over for a truck entering I-80.
A couple minutes later he passed me ( they ALWAYS pass me) and I noticed water running off the side and back of his trailer.
I also noticed about 3" of icy looking snow on the top of his trailer above the doors.
I just had this feeling, so I tapped the clutch to take it off cruise and let him get some distance.
Sure enough -- he wasn't three truck length ahead of me before several big (and I mean BIG) thick sheets of ice slid off his trailer.
They flipped in the wind like sheets of plywood and tumbled to the ground just in front of my truck.
They appeared to be AT LEAST 3" thick, and they shattered hard like solid ice.
Watch for chunks of ice sliding off trailers, especially when the temperature's recently risen above freezing and water forms between the ice and trailer roof surface.
Big chunks like this weigh several hundrd pounds and can come right through your windshield.

Answer:
I use to hate that. There is nothing you can do as there passing you. If one comes off and there close to your truck, the best you can do is duck and face the other way.
I had a RV pass me with a hugh plastic storage unit mounted on it's roof. It came lose and went sailing on pass me to the right of my truck. I kept my eye on it to see where it was going. I was ready to duck down if it came my way near the windshield.

Answer:
hi
i was wondering if u had any advice on braking in the snow....or if i see my trailer sliding behind me....some folks say to engage the clutch to let the trailer push the tractor...and another
driver said to just step on(a little) the throttle and pull the trailer back inline....this is my first winter

Answer:
Ice sheets another reason to not tailgate.
i was wondering if u had any advice on braking in the snow....or if i see my trailer sliding behind me....some folks say to engage the clutch to let the trailer push the tractor...and another
driver said to just step on(a little) the throttle and pull the trailer back inline....this is my first winter
If you let the trailer push you it has control,you don't. This action will lead and is the first action involving a"jack knive".
I always tried to lightly throttle out of the situation. Worked really well with doubles all the time for me.
Mike
Answer:
Try braking on snow with a food grade tanker with 48,000 to 49,000lb of liquid trying to push you forward. That liquid starts moving back and forth, if you have to brake harder, forget it. That liquid has no mercy. You can slow the truck or stop the truck but you cannot stop the liquid.
That's why you need a lot of space between you and everyone else.
That's why I hated drivers that would cut too close in front of me after they passed me. They eat up all my safety running.
Tanker drivers need a lot more space. They take corners and exit ramps much slower than other trucks.

Answer:
Here is one that puzzles me and raises a few questions:
If as a 4 wheeler I have snow on my roof and zoom down the highway hence create enough SNOW drifting in the air, the police can ticket me for not removing that snow from my car.
Addtionally if an accident occurs (even if I am not involved) but it is the consequence of something I am directly responsible off, hence the cause (example snow ice or luggage falls off my roof), I can be held liable for the damages and ticketed.
Off course you see the questions coming:
What is the consequence to the driver/carrier if a trailer does drop it's Roof Top ice/snow and cause an accident?
Since it must be unsafe to try to climb on top of that trailer(actually wonder how one would without a ladder of sort), let alone trying to stand on it when full off ice...what is the responsability of the driver and/or how does he get rid of the snow/ice before hitting the road?
Darn curious about that one...
NewBee

Answer:
I've heard "stories" drivers tell about DOT forcing them to clear snow off their trailer toof before proceeding from a scale sight. I suppose you'd have to hire someone with a ladder to come out and get you up there, etc. DOT probably would let you use their yellow pages, or have a ladder they'll let you use, or recomend someone they know close-by who might come out....
Fluffy snow usually blows-off quickly when you get some speed.

Answer:
NJ State law ...driver is libel for any ice/snow that falls off roof or trailer

Answer:
I've heard "stories" drivers tell about DOT forcing them to clear snow off their trailer toof before proceeding from a scale sight.
I've seen them do it at the Ohio Turnpike toll
booths after the snow triggered the overheight
warning.
Mike
Answer:
you do not have to clear the snow from the top of trailer law just spells out who is libel if you should cause accident or break a windshield etc.

Answer:
whenever the dot tries that I call my us marshal buddy, he straightens it all out and then shoots the dot guy in the foot to teach him a lesson
There are no stupid questions, only stupid people

Answer:
Sure sounds like a no win situation, and a danr Safety Hazard for the driver who's got to go on top and clean that stuff.
(Note to self, if ever buying a Trailer ensure it has a built in ladder to get on top of it,purchase boots for climbing the Everest to maintain traction on the roof, buy a shovel and forget the Fiberglass roof!)
The more I dig into trucking the more it becomes enligtning and sure has heck seems to be lot's of GREY area, bound to leave doors open for DOT and the likes to dig in your pockets.. no shovels required!!
NewBee

Answer:
In ONTARIO you are responsible to remove the ICE / SNOW from the top of your vehicle & trailer.

Answer:
quite a few years ago an elderly couple were killed in ohio when the ice off a trailer crashed through their windshield.

Answer:
car driver was killed in Paramus a few years ago and his wife pushed through the legislation. Btw Wakefern foods has a plow like device 13'6" high in their yard. Driver pulls through and off comes the ice/snow.