Fuel for Thought

Let It Snow!

Let it snow
Let it snow
Let it snow

"But it's too early for snow!" Jon Osborn stubbornly proclaimed just the other day.  Apparently, Mother Nature is having a hot flash and turned the AC WAY up. She isn't the least concerned about us mere humans at the moment.  So we have snow folks.  I-80 across Wyoming was already shut down due to snow.  Yes, that part of Wyoming, over by Laramie near where they huge pile up happened last year.  Other areas of the country are experiencing high winds, even near hurricane-force winds.  A few days ago Michigan had some lake-effect snow.  Winter is rushing in, at least in northern parts of the country whether you are ready for it or not.  So let's all get ready.

Winter preparedness includes a multitude of varying items.  All of these are good for Semi truck to Sprinter Van.  Don't think "oh I won't need that!"  It's better to be safe than sorry.  Besides, even if you won't need it, there is always there the goodwill of helping out your fellow truck driver or car driver, and we need more of that in the world today.  

Getting stuck in a winter storm sucks!  Of course you want to have your required tire chains.  Some states are now requiring cars to carry them too, so Sprinter Vans that means you.  Naturally, chains are only for emergency situations to get to a safe stopping point.  They are not meant to be used to drive with them on for hundreds of miles.  If chains are required use them to get up or down a hill or to a safe stopping point until the roads and weather clears.  Remember, no load, no matter how “hot” it is, is worth your life!

Another often overlooked item to have is a snow shovel, even if it is a folding/collapsable one.  This one is actually good all year long for cleaning out trailers, shoveling mud, sand, etc.  Turn it over and it can even be used as a makeshift ice scraper.  Isopropyl/rubbing alcohol is great for clearing windshield washer fluid lines, deicing windshields, and older drivers know to use to to clear frozen air lines.  A little bleach on rubber can make tires tacky/sticky for a few minutes, which can help if you are stuck and in a bind.  Kitty litter can work for added traction if you are stuck.  

For personal comfort while sitting through the a winter shut down, make sure you have extra blankets or warm sleeping bags, extra warm clothes including socks and gloves. For food you want to make sure you have enough non-perishables on hand for each person for a minimum of three days.  Include bottled water, non-perishable food items such as dried fruit, canned goods with a non-electric can opener, nuts, jerky, etc.  Keep your medications refilled including any OTC meds you regularly take.  Don’t forget any furbabies you have along for the travels.  Keep extra pet food and water for each pet. Diesel fuel will gel below certain temperatures even with the winter fuel. Keep fuel anti-gel/de-gel additive both on your truck and in your fuel tanks if you’re traveling through these low temperature, winter storm areas. Waterproof matches or a lighter, ice scraper, first aid kit, extra towels, and cards or other board games are just a few other items to help you through the hours during a winter storm shut in, or heaven forbid should you in a snow/ice related accident.  

It’s easy to think “This will never happen to me.”  Or “I’ve been driving through storms for 20 years and nothing's ever happened!”  All that may be true.  You may be the best driver in the world, but what about the other guy?  Don't just think of yourself.  There are other people out on the road too.  Not every accident or winter storm snow in involves only one single person.  More than likely there will be multiple vehicles, casualties, and stuck travelers caught unaware and unprepared in the storm or accident.  Some with children or medical problems.  Be that trucker hero that is prepared to help another person in some small way, even if it is just a bottle of water, a hot cup of coffee, a sandwich, or a granola bar.

~Sierra Sugar