Vegas Teacher Posted November 2, 2017 Report Share Posted November 2, 2017 I am going to drive from Las Vegas to S.E. Kansas and back over Christmas. How do semi's without a load on them handle on snow and ice? Is it like driving a pick up truck or an old fashion station wagon on the ice? Hints, tips or suggestions Later, Vegas Teacher - Cory Ossana Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted November 2, 2017 Report Share Posted November 2, 2017 Bobtail, rear end will dance around a bit. Some people say to avoid exhaust brake on ice and rain. Don’t be in a hurry and find a speed you feel comfortable. I personally don’t ever plan to drive the truck with or without a trailer in the snow and ice. Just not my cup of tea as I’ve had some terrifying experiences in cars and pickups. Saying that no other way to get experience. 2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding" 2017 DRV 39DBRS3 2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty" "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I'mdonewiththis forum Posted November 2, 2017 Report Share Posted November 2, 2017 OOOHhhhh man, IF you do this BE CAREFUL! Been there done that! Like Suite Success said, they will dance around. Be very gentle on the throttle and easy on the brakes. The stopping part is probably the most challenging, but keep in mind that when I did it ABS was in its infancy and the one truck I drove that had it the ABS was disconnected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Posted November 2, 2017 Report Share Posted November 2, 2017 Cory If you have a hauler body installed it will help but it still will be the worst thing you have ever driven in the snow. I know some commercial drivers won’t even consider driving in the snow without a trailer. Hopefully the weather cooperates and you don’t have to get the experience. Nigel 2006 Volvo VNL 430, 2006 smart cabrio cdi, 2000 Triple E Topaz 30' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeverEasy Posted November 2, 2017 Report Share Posted November 2, 2017 I would add to the above: Don't use the cruise control on any kind of slippery road conditions. Biggest problem I have had in the past is going down a steep grade with a curve at the bottom. Backend wants to break loose. Brake early and not in the turn. Chet & Deb '01 Volvo 660 w/ Smart '19 Forest River Columbus 320RS 5th wheel 2022 Chev 2500HD Long Bed Retired CWO4, USN and federal service Electronics Tech/Network Engineer/Welder/Machinist Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imurphy907 Posted November 2, 2017 Report Share Posted November 2, 2017 The front end is quite heavy. The rear is very light. There will be minimal traction with how light the rear end is. The tires will spin very easy under power. And when braking they will skid very easy. Chains will help but at that you are doing <35mph. I have been trying to figure out how to add removable weight to my rear end for winter use. Even with the trailer its not adding much. 2016 Road Warrior 420 2001 Volvo VNL 660 Alaska Based. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randyretired Posted November 2, 2017 Report Share Posted November 2, 2017 Without some weight on the rear tires it will be more of a challenge but if you keep the speed in check in wet or icy conditions it is certainly possible. My biggest concern would be mountain passes. Chains may be necessary! What route are you planning? Randy 2001 Volvo VNL 42 Cummins ISX Autoshift Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronbo Posted November 2, 2017 Report Share Posted November 2, 2017 A couple water containers strapped to the bed. 100galloms equals a little over 800lbs so it will add up quickly. Ron C. 2013 Dynamax Trilogy 3850 D3 2000 Kenworth T2000 Optimus Prime Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vegas Teacher Posted November 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2017 36 minutes ago, Randyretired said: Without some weight on the rear tires it will be more of a challenge but if you keep the speed in check in wet or icy conditions it is certainly possible. My biggest concern would be mountain passes. Chains may be necessary! What route are you planning? I - 40 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shallow Draft Posted November 2, 2017 Report Share Posted November 2, 2017 This is why they make airplanes. 2004 Volvo 630, Freedomline, Rear view camera, Max Brake, Jackalopee, 38 ft 4 horse LQ Platinum, 40ft Jayco Talon toy hauler Http:/www.flickr.com/photos/shallow_draft/ Https://flic.kr/p/fqhyAN You are not lost if you don't care where you are!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrformance Posted November 2, 2017 Report Share Posted November 2, 2017 1 hour ago, Imurphy907 said: The front end is quite heavy. The rear is very light. There will be minimal traction with how light the rear end is. The tires will spin very easy under power. And when braking they will skid very easy. Chains will help but at that you are doing <35mph. I have been trying to figure out how to add removable weight to my rear end for winter use. Even with the trailer its not adding much. I added 4000 lb Jeep. 2006 Volvo VNL 780, " Arvey" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift 2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2010 Forest River Coachman Freedom Express 280RLS Jackalopee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Av8r3400 Posted November 2, 2017 Report Share Posted November 2, 2017 51 minutes ago, Shallow Draft said: This is why they make airplanes. Amen! Av8r34002012 Volvo VNL 730 D13 iShift & 2021 Grand Design Momentum 397TH I'd rather die trying to live - Than live trying not to die. -Leonard Perry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrknrvr Posted November 2, 2017 Report Share Posted November 2, 2017 You could stop by our campsite and pickup my single wheel chains for the steer tires. Ya just don't know what you may have to do. That is if we get out of Montana in time. 7" of snow on the ground and 300 ' of grass to get over to hard road surface.. Can not leave for a least a week. Practice, Practice and more Practice. That is if nothing gets bent. If your feelings hurt, chalk it up to experience . Along time ago I did run chains on the front wheels driving a drilling rig of the side of a mountain in the winter. Pay attention to the weather and drive respectably. You may want to have chains just in case a smokie makes you use them. Be safe ,. Vern Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeverEasy Posted November 2, 2017 Report Share Posted November 2, 2017 Sorry, wrong post. Chet & Deb '01 Volvo 660 w/ Smart '19 Forest River Columbus 320RS 5th wheel 2022 Chev 2500HD Long Bed Retired CWO4, USN and federal service Electronics Tech/Network Engineer/Welder/Machinist Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runaway parents Posted November 3, 2017 Report Share Posted November 3, 2017 Go to concrete company buy a pallet of sand that should hold it down . if you get in to a bad spot break open a bag and throw it under the tires you can get it at a hardware store relatively cheap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alie&Jim's Carrilite Posted November 3, 2017 Report Share Posted November 3, 2017 We bobtailed 200+ miles thru snow in Michigan. If you have to drive in snow, leave plenty of space, but the best idea would be to pull off until the plows clear the way. Alie & Jim + 8 paws 2017 DRV Memphis BART- 1998 Volvo 610 Lil'ole 6cyl Cummins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dennisvr Posted November 3, 2017 Report Share Posted November 3, 2017 My advise is, DONT...... "It is better to have more truck than you need than to need more truck than you have" 2001 Volvo 660, Cummins 400 ISX, Eaton 3 Peddle Auto Shift 2014 Fuzion 40' Toyhauler 2015 Smart Car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve from SoCal Posted November 3, 2017 Report Share Posted November 3, 2017 I drive US 54 and I 40 between Hutch and L.A. often, "most" bad storms are later in the season. I do recall being in OKC around Xmas in an ice storm, not pretty. I think you are from Pittsburg ? Closest airport will be Wichita, Allegiant has gambler specials nonstop to Las Vegas 2-3 times a week. Even with a car rental it would be cheaper than trucking it. Steve 2005 Peterbilt 387-112 Baby Cat 9 speed U-shift 1996/2016 remod Teton Royal Atlanta 1996 Kentucky 48 single drop stacker garage project Pulls like a train, sounds like a plane....faster than a Cheetah sniffin cocaine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Posted November 3, 2017 Report Share Posted November 3, 2017 19 hours ago, Ronbo said: A couple water containers strapped to the bed. 100galloms equals a little over 800lbs so it will add up quickly. I run waste oil in 330 gallon totes. The totes themselves only cost $50 on Craigslist and need a footprint of roughly 4'x4'. Get four of those on the back end (8'x8' footprint), fill them with water, and you'll have 9600+ lbs of traction. Drain them when you're out of the snow areas and you'll be back down to the ~200 lbs of empty totes.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted November 3, 2017 Report Share Posted November 3, 2017 27 minutes ago, Black said: I run waste oil in 330 gallon totes. The totes themselves only cost $50 on Craigslist and need a footprint of roughly 4'x4'. Get four of those on the back end (8'x8' footprint), fill them with water, and you'll have 9600+ lbs of traction. Drain them when you're out of the snow areas and you'll be back down to the ~200 lbs of empty totes.... Just curious. Do you need to add any RV antifreeze in the totes if you go this way? 2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding" 2017 DRV 39DBRS3 2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty" "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick & Alana Posted November 3, 2017 Report Share Posted November 3, 2017 Corey, I don't want to sound ugly. And I only know you from this forum. I don't think you have enough experiance driving on normal road conditions. Least bobtail in possible bad weather. With that said Have you considered what you will do for fuel treatment? Don't wait until your in cold weather to treat. Rick and Alana Fulltimers 2018 Newmar Ventana 4037 2020 Jeep Gladiator 1997 Jeep TJ 2009 Mobile Suites 36RSSB3 formerly owned 2000 Volvo 770, 600 Cummins ISX,18 speed autoshift, 14 foot "garage" ET,Jackalopee,MaxBrake,Pressure Pro pro www.rickandalanasgreatadventures.blogspot.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Posted November 3, 2017 Report Share Posted November 3, 2017 2 hours ago, SuiteSuccess said: Just curious. Do you need to add any RV antifreeze in the totes if you go this way? We have some engineers on here who can give a true thermodynamics answer but I'd wager it would have to be awfully cold for awfully long to freeze 330 gallons of water. Add to that the sloshing motion that would constantly break up forming ice crystals and I'd bet give or take 7-10 days of single digit temps to freeze it solid all the way through. For his trip I'm sure he'd be fine but if anyone would care to do the actual science and get the calculated number, I'd love to read it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noteven Posted November 3, 2017 Report Share Posted November 3, 2017 1. Take off all the Tupperware and store it at home. 2. Check Coach-Net is up to date. 3. The first big parking lot with a nice cover of mild snow you come to get in there and learn what is "palm the wheel". 4. Practice is the key. A study done in Canada last year found 98% of drivers about to hit the ditch said "Oh shit!" The other 2% live in Saskatchewan and said. "Hold my beer and watch this!" "Are we there yet?" asked no motorcycle rider, ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I'mdonewiththis forum Posted November 3, 2017 Report Share Posted November 3, 2017 11 minutes ago, noteven said: A study done in Canada last year found 98% of drivers about to hit the ditch said "Oh shit!" The other 2% live in Saskatchewan and said. "Hold my beer and watch this!" Not in Ontario. There it was "Oh shit, EH?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtgeodog Posted November 3, 2017 Report Share Posted November 3, 2017 I would second Steve's suggestion. I-40 around Flagstaff can get nasty in winter. ShortyO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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