What Every Trucker Should Know About the Dangers of Weather

[@arhgentumm]

When the snowstorm is raging and the road is slick it's the best to just stop asap and wait it out. There's no such a thing as a good driver on snow. Thank you for sharing your extensive experience with us.

[@randyrudder2451]

Road of caution is highway 287 between Dumas, TX and Campo, CO in winter get a freezing fog on it and trust me it is like glass so slick you can't stand up and walk on it.

[@staceyellis9193]

I think its great that you are willing to share your knowledge of trucking with others. You are very right , care and caution are the most important parts of trucking. I wish more truckers were that way instead of chasing the all mighty dollar.

[@beegood9395]

Always listening to your advice. Good training video. You should be a safety instructor.

[@humorme5367]

2 of the worst ive experienced was on the bay bridge.. that mile high monstrosity on 50 crossing into Maryland from Delaware. Twister followed that bridge crossed into Delaware turned north east into Stevensville a quater mile from where i stopped. And almost getting bown over on 80 east after climbing Elk. Lets say i was still wet behind the ears and knew EVERYTHING at that time. Good Lord decided i needed a big slice of humble pie Lol

[@KentuckyRanger]

OMG! I-80 in Wyoming... You brought back sooo many memories! I used to drive between SLC and Denver, 5 days a week... One good thing was when my shift made it possible to drive at night, because like any driver will tell you, Wyoming looks best after the sun goes down... LOL! Also, it only has to snow once in Wyoming. Mother nature spends the rest of the winter blowing the snow back and forth across I-80... LOL! The worst sand storm I ever got caught in was in Barstow, CA. I had to have the windshield replaced... I also had a Bearcat scanner taken and I got a fine, at the scale in Morehead, KY. The officer was going to confiscate it, but I was so mad over it, I demanded him to allow me to destroy it. He asked me why, and I told him, because I'm not giving Y'all a $350 scanner... I placed it in front of my drives, and ran over it, *3 times...* The fine was $125... With smart phones, weather can be accurately tracked without scanners anymore.

[@williamcarey8529]

You got that right about Amarillo and that part of Texas!! It is illegal to chain up in Texas as well!!

[@cobra3371]

Just so happens I'm sitting out a storm today lol blizzard, white out conditions and plows pulled off the road.Newfoundland shows her temper yet again

[@SmartTrucking]

Yup, they get some wild storms out there for sure! Dave

[@bluedevil0072]

I had a descent gig with a carrier I was with. I was transferring empty trailers from Phoenix to El Paso, to a new terminal. 25 trailers needed to be moved and I got paid mileage both ways, even though I was Bob Tailing back to Phoenix. Thanks to many drivers like Prime and North American, they ran wind block for me when the high winds were trying to blow me off the road.

[@AngryCarMechanic]

Your videos and my current job have encouraged me to become a truck driver. I'll be starting as a local driver since I'm 19 but it just means I get 2 years of experience before going OTR

[@johnsantorawluszki715]

Don't forget snow pack. It becomes solid ice. Last year going thru pa road was snowpack I'm going five trying to find an exit. Next thing I know fedx and an independent blast by me. Ten minutes later highway is closed. They crashed and fatilities. Sun comes out melts road sun goes down roads refreeze finally road reopens I head to truck stop for the night. Best part was that exact same thing happened on other side. Couldn't see because of the trees. Sometimes you get stupid you pay with your life. Trucks are not toys.

[@timpattydaechsel5988]

Lots of good advise, I agree freezing rain makes for the worst driving conditions. I found the best way to determine if it is freezing rain is to roll the window down and feel the back of the mirror supports , if they are not wet but pebbly ice, slow down and find a place to pull over before all the accidents start happening

[@truckingstone]

You're right about Amarillo, the state definitely waits on the sun to come out!

[@chronictwister]

I-80 is bad period, Nebraska and Iowa gets windy as hell

[@Mrwheresmyhouse]

Don't ever get under an overpass to ride out a tornado. That was the prevailing advice until people started getting blown out from under the overpasses. Best thing to do is lay down in the ditch.

[@TRONMAGNUM2099]

I passed a truck up in the trees. It was literally stuck up in the trees. It hit some ice and went up an embankment like a launch ramp. The cab of the truck was crushed like a tin can. It was a fatality. Scariest thing I have ever seen on the road. You are so right about pulling off and not trying to drive through it. No load is worth your life.

[@lordenki9429]

I’m surprised you never mentioned fog, my secret to fog was to run with marker lights only, I could see so much better until I came up behind traffic or into populated areas where I would turn the headlights on again

[@chevyon37s]

John Secret running without headlights in fog is illegal in lots of places...

[@jamesbrundage2849]

I've seen a lot of trucks blown over in Wyoming. Wyoming is where ice roads truckers are trained lol. I was going East on 80 grossing damm near 80,000 with 65+ mphs wind getting rocked back and forth. Hell of a trip that week.

[@humorme5367]

James Brundage oh yeah..that will make you pucker up real quick lol

[@patryk2497]

Lol I was watching ice road truckers with my dad before and he was saying that it reminded him of Wyoming in the winter, same stuff

[@scottmueller5995]

A former boss was concerned about weather , would either reroute or hold off a day or two before sending us out. He said no load was worth jeopardizing us or equipment . He joked that it was harder to replace the trucks ( with a wink and a nudge ) . More than once I heard him tell a shipper " bad planning on their part does not constitude an emergency on our part the load will get there safely "

[@killbilly069]

Im absolutely loving the content.

[@SmartTrucking]

Glad to here it! Dave

[@MCordon1]

Sir, I respect your wisdom and enjoy the stories, cheers.

[@bryanblack526]

I hated I-80 in Wyoming with a light load in high wind, felt like driving a kite down the highway.

[@pointnIaugh]

I run the gulf coast. Hurricanes every year. Was in Harvey and Irma last summer. Awful, it all depends on how much weight is in the box. I grew up in snow and am no. Longer interested in going above I-20

[@SmartTrucking]

Wish I could have stayed down there! Dave

[@walterwynnchok7474]

I got caught in a snowstorm ❄ on a road between two cornfields in Plano, Texas. Lucky I had a trucker's GPS and an empty trailer to get back to the main highway.

[@sheldonbarbash4645]

Walter Wynnchok some weight in the box would have been better

[@jamesbrown4845]

U. S. 287 between Tye Siding, WY and Virginia Dale, CO gets really slick.

[@russlea6383]

“Forecasts may tell you a lot about the forecaster, they tell you nothing about the future.” - Warren Buffett I got stuck on I 80 in Warren's home state last Friday at 11 in the morning when they were 'predicting the storm to arrive that night.'

[@SmartTrucking]

I don't know what those weather guys get paid, but whatever it is, it's too much! Dave

[@mrj-charles6383]

I ran into a Celadon O/O last year said he had a little over a year experience and never drove in snow or any type of really cold weather. I saw him in PA right before a snow storm and he said he was scared and parking. I learned to drive in the NE US and Ontario during the winter months. So learned pretty quickly. I run mainly central PA now so we deal with heavy fog here and wind in the mountains.

[@conniepratt2039]

Thank All Y'all for doing what you do... Thank you, Mr. Dave, for sharing your knowledge...🤗

[@milohrnic2023]

Very timely video after the tradegy this weekend in Saskatchewan. Thank you. Webasto units help get a truck started on those cold Prairie winter mornings. Highly recommend them.

[@chrisbradford4014]

I had that same drive out there last month omg vary bad snow and ice beating the truck

[@andrewdonohue1853]

I drive milk tanker local, I still check the forecast daily even though i run my route no more then 50 miles from my home. As a milk truck driver, we must operate in almost all weather conditions...cows never stop producing milk.ever. someone must empty the milk tank. When it gets bad slow down, if it gets really bad pull over to the side of the road if you can't see

[@Gslice-ok4ck]

Dave, love your videos. Especially the ones about winter weather.

[@SmartTrucking]

Thanks Mike! Dave

[@JamesSmith-jq2jc]

As always, GREAT information. Love to hear the stories too. I think safety has been neglected over profit, and just that many drivers are just in a hurry. This applies to cars and trucks. I'd love to know how many DOLLARS are spent on crash settlements along with lawyer costs and court costs in a given year. I've noticed no matter what the weather people are going to FAST. It must of been lies I was told about hydroplaning and bridges freezing first as a kid, because the way traffic goes today one would think so. Maybe it just cost more to print money for lawsuits back then. With today's autonomous printers they can print it 24/7. As for me, killing someone or dying for a job that can AND will replace you in a minute isn't for me. I know skill helps in getting yourself somewhere, but sometimes momentum will decide that for you, especially on ice. What's most appreciated, is having people such as yourself with the skill and experience to make this point, SAFETY FIRST.

[@SmartTrucking]

Thanks James! I've seen more than a few bad wrecks in my time, one of the down sides of trucking, and it's sad to see how many of them were preventable. Dave

[@timothyfritsch8801]

aww thanks dave ill be sure hang onto that clips warnings

[@wilitause972]

dave you should do more for the community... you have experience, leadership, knowledge of the industrie! I m a rookie and I follow all yr advice but I think we need more guys like u To raise the LVL and help trucker To get the respect from politique men, client, carrier, ect!

[@mathewoconnor5016]

Freezing rain in missouri, is pretty damn scary! Had a close call, amd parked it. They closed i44 a few moments after

[@meandthemrs7403]

I like your trucking stories.

[@SmartTrucking]

Thank you! Dave

[@anafleming30]

Thank you.

[@1armedguy4]

The way I look at this topic is , whether your driving a truck as a so called professional or a VW down the highway if a person doesn't have common sense and there are many who hold a CDL with absolutely none. The thing is one cannot train, teach or give someone common sense, you either have it or you don't. Thanks Dave !!

[@conwaymcelroy8523]

Saw a sign at granite city steel safty is a choice not by chance. Great advise. Keep it up see ya on the flip flop im gone.

[@SmartTrucking]

I like the sign, that's good! Stay safe! Dave

[@TheCalgarydoug]

I met a guy a few years ago that refused to drive in the rain. I suspect he didn't keep his job very long.

[@SmartTrucking]

I suspect you're right! Dave

[@reginaldsaunders4319]

Georgian Bay fog can make you afraid to blink.

[@robertlehner1469]

Great video, thanks

[@canabox7112]

It snowed in Las Vegas today!

[@bradynevels6874]

Hey Dave. Just some friendly advice for you from someone who lives in Oklahoma and experiences tornadoes frequently. Believe it or not, overpasses are the worst places to be during a tornado. They might temporarily protect your vehicle from hail. In the open on the side of the road is the best place to be if you absolutely have to be on the road during a tornado. Just cover yourself with whatever you confined in your truck in face down. Cover yourself with blankets or pillows. You can also cover yourself with clothing or even a jacket or heavy coat if you have it with you. Like I said, just friendly advice from someone that experiences tornadoes every year. Tornadoes are absolutely nothing to play around with. I am not originally from Oklahoma. I am from North Dakota. Believe me when I say I do not run outside to look for the damn thing as it passes by.

[@SmartTrucking]

Why are the overpasses a bad place to be? Dave

[@bradynevels6874]

Smart-Trucking.com One of the dangers of an overpass is as you described the people bunching up around you also trying to take shelter. You can also run the risk of the tornado collapsing the bridge on top of you obviously leaving you trapped. You can run the possibility of further injury and even death doing it that way. That of course is a risk when you are not under the overpass. At least in the open there are not as many things around you that could trap you. As you well know, every second is critical in rescue efforts. If there are several other vehicles and demolished objects around you it could literally mean your life versus death. If you are in the open, chances of pulling you out of the truck are far greater and your mortality rate increases. I have been on the roads here in Oklahoma when a tornado has come through. You are absolutely correct. Never try to out run it. Find a safe spot. If you are not able to find a solid structure such as a restaurant or a truck stop, be sure to cover your head with any objects you can find. Even in my home, I have a fullface motorcycle helmet I can put on if I need to take shelter. Just some friendly advice from someone that lives in tornado alley. Oklahoma is notorious for producing some absolute monsters. We have produced the largest tornado in recorded history at 2.6 miles wide. Hopefully I was able to help. Have an awesome day and stay safe trucker

[@walterwynnchok7474]

Diesel Mechanics Teachers tell you never spray starting ether into a Diesel with glow plugs ➕, But I saw people do it on VOLVO PENTA Diesel boat 🚣 engines with glow plugs ➕.

[@HardCase1911]

Don't park under an overpass. It acts as a wind tunnel in a tornado.

[@thezacharymccarthy]

Great advice! I just discovered your channel and I'm making my through all previous videos. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Zach

[@SmartTrucking]

Thank you Zack! Dave

[@walterwynnchok7474]

Starting Ether and glow plugs?!... 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥

[@Rx7man]

it's one or the other, never both! I've had much easier starts by installing a bung on the intake and pointing a heat gun into it for a while.. Makes all the difference starting and idling after the start

[@SmartTrucking]

Can you say Kaboom? Dave

[@walterwynnchok7474]

Smart-Trucking.com Yep!

[@JonesNate]

A small tornado... Looks like you weren't in Kansas anymore.

[@SmartTrucking]

No, Nebraska. Dave

[@Gigtaxservices]

Great tips 👍👌😊

[@conspyre1288]

This guy has an awesome truck

[@fabioalves1924]

hi would like to know when the FMCSA began to put regulation also in the shipers and recivers since there are many regulations imposed on the drivers after all 5, 6 sometimes 7 hours to make a pick up or delivery affects the work day of a driver . thanks

[@Armouredb]

Selling a 2000 international.

[@YSDev]

am i wrong in thinking that motor are for electrical stuff and engine is for vehicles ?...any who that sucks for old ed....very good tips thank you

[@1Imrichard]

make sure the truck is running for morning . its better to be parked than in the ditch

[@MrAxlzero]

up near moose jaw one year moving the Calgary stampede into town all the amusements and stuff i was driving an old cab over with double pups when we hit a really bad storm and visibility went to nothing we slowed down but didn't stop it was like that for what seemed like forever then all the sudden it cleared up and there was all these people with cameras standing around looking at us funny turned out a day later we saw ourselves coming out of it on the news we accidentally drove through a tornado i didnt think those happened in Canada me and 4 other drivers come out the other side of that and got on the news and our bosses freaked out we laugh about it now

[@SmartTrucking]

Man, that must have been something! Dave

[@GaryCameron780]

You couldn't pay me enough to drive to Fort McMurray in the winter. (Edmontonian here)

[@KenworthofRichfield]

Good, common sense advice. Trucking is like anything else. It's so much easier and better with just a little bit of planning.

[@SmartTrucking]

Exactly right! Dave

[@tonydesaire9326]

Do the state patrols ever still listen to the CB frequencies? I know a lot of them did til maybe the mid-nineties. What about the chicken coops? Anyone talked recently to one on the radio? Anyone use VHF radios out there?

[@SmartTrucking]

I think some of the troopers still listen. Dave

[@gabrielledaniel5977]

I drove through freezing fog once all night. When the sun came up I had about an inch of ice on my truck.

[@sseeaahhaawwkkssrule975]

Can you make a video on "what to do if you have a blown steer tire while driving" please?

[@DaytonaRoadster]

Dispatcher here, im never unhappy if someone is stuck in bad weather. Much rather have a great safety record than a ruined truck or worse injured driver

[@SmartTrucking]

Good to here! { I was just kidding } . Dave

[@chrisgcrane5217]

your right about trying to hide/outrun a tornado dave even in a car/big rig,cuz if you watch the videos of some of these,cars/trucks tried to do that when the may 3rd 1999 moore oklahoha tornado hit,cuz it did way too much damage and killed alot of people,and mostly because of not just the size of it but this 1 had the strongest winds ever recorded on earth cuz there was a big truck pulling a tanker he the driver locked up the brakes cuz this 1 crossed the road and he had no way to avoid it or get around it cuz he went right into it and he was thrown quite a ways from where he went into it,and it sucked out anyone hiding under this bridge,the tornado was 1.6 miles wide and the wind speeds were 318MPH,so that will happen,the may 20th 2013 1 that hit that same area was bigger but not as strong did that as well as the el reno oklahoma 1 cuz that 1 was the biggest 1 ever seen 2.6 miles wide and had winds of 296MPH,then in march of 2015 either a weak EF-1 to an EF-2 flipped a few over on the freeways that closed that freeway down for a long time so it can happen and noone wants to be caught in these while driving

[@markknowles8159]

I had the wind in the Columbia River Gorge make me change lanes in a friggn tanker once? And after the blown lower radiator hose in a ice storm I forever carry enough winter clothing to stay alive without truck heat. The only thing that saved my ass after that hose blew and before help arrived was all the rags, newspapers, candy wrappers and every bit of trash I could find in that old company truck to stuff into my jacket and my pants. That was when I was young dumb and full of ----. Experience = wisdom = be prepared.

[@DeannaBaileytheRavensFan]

I'm from Rhode Island. I'm sure you've done trips through New England and seen just how schizophrenic our weather could be. I'm going to be learning how to drive a truck through all of it.

[@SmartTrucking]

Well rounded experience is the best experience. That way you can handle anything when it comes at you, be it traffic or snow or slippery hills. I always felt sorry for the guys that learned in places like Florida and then got out in the rest of the world. Dave

[@raybin2086]

I am a new truck driver and needed some advice on the navigational devices you would recommend.

[@conspyre1288]

I like how he calls normal cars '4-wheelers'

[@brianjohnson8254]

Why the AK on the back of the sleeper?

[@Noir_mvp]

Hey Dave, do you have any resources that you use to check weather on your route? Would love some tips.

[@SmartTrucking]

As strange as this may sound, I always bought USA Today for the weather and watched the evening news. Dave

[@Noir_mvp]

Smart-Trucking.com I’ll try it out thanks Dave!

[@Graveltrucking]

All it takes is a little sniff get it firing then little shots if it needs it, too much ether will blow the head right off an engine lol.

[@mkowboy13]

Oh no toke out the engine I’ve only used ether once the dispatch said to use it on company truck lol if the shop foreman would’ve found out he probably would’ve knocked the dispatch out & not just out of their chair lol

[@SmartTrucking]

Yeah, you've got to be careful with that stuff, not use too much!

[@robertdixon6536]

What the hell..Why are trucks legal if they flop over in a non gail force cross wind? These would place regular 4 wheel drivers and families in undue danger.

[@timothyfritsch8801]

ok pal im all ears

[@counterflow5719]

I always say, the scariest thing out there is the weather. I understand now why the ancients created gods based on the weather.

[@alangee79010]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@madbear3512]

Freezing cold or hot asf weather is really hard on your vicheals. But semi trucks usally aren't all that rusty. Even if there driven in the winter

[@walterwynnchok7474]

Dave, You-Tube needs to put a Troll Button 👹👺👾 on the comments and replies so you can mark them off.

[@mh-bd9re]

Imagine that! Weather can be a problem! Well I never knew, have you considered retirement! Could be a good move good buddy.

[@andriyselezen9513]

A bit too late with weather advice ; )

[@SmartTrucking]

Not for some parts of the country. Dave