In The News

'Tis the Season to be Wary

We’ve been over this several times already. But, since it bears repeating, let’s go over it one more time for those who might’ve missed the message the first half-dozen times! The winter weather and holiday seasons are now squarely upon us, which makes today the perfect time to reevaluate your preparations for yourself and your truck. 

The following are some popular winterizing methods to consider for you and your machine before heading out and dealing with this season’s frigid freight hauling ahead. Plus, some emergency gift giving ideas that will keep you and your trucking team weatherly prepared for this holiday season.

Make Your List, Check It Twice

One thing you can start with is to check the engine coolant for freeze point and rust inhibitors. Then, a once-over on pressure-testing the system for leaks. Finally, be sure to tighten every hose clamp and thoroughly inspect all hoses for their serviceability.

Make sure to also clean the old, dirty grease from your fifth-wheel locking mechanism. That’s probably grown a bit stiff with road debris throughout the warmer months, and cold temperatures will certainly make it worse. Not addressing this in a timely manner could cause difficulty in hooking up and releasing your trailer.

Also, check your alternator mounting brackets, belts, and belt tensioners. Engine vibration will typically tend to loosen things up in there, which increases the chance of the belts slipping on the alternator pulley. 

Icy More Clearly

Make sure your visibility is properly tended to by installing fresh wiper blades for the winter. The last thing you need is to have dull and worn-out wipers clouding your vision. Also, inspect your tire chains for any wear and/or damage before you need them. Doing so ahead of any significant snowfall will keep you ahead of the game and in better control of how you handle the elements.

Baby, It’s Cold Outside

Double-check to ensure that everything in and on the cab is in prime working condition. Check your mirror heaters, heater-defroster fan, and door and window seals for any potential air leaks. Use a little antifreeze lube spray in your door locks to help keep them from freezing, too. Another thing, and this is very important, check your exhaust system for any potential leaks underneath the cab. Since it’s quite possible you’ll be sleeping with a running engine, you don’t want your cab to fill with carbon monoxide.

Finally, cold weather can cause serious issues with your tires. If you’re not constantly checking your tire pressure during the winter, which can really be applied to all the time, any sudden drop in temperature could lower your tire’s air pressure by five to ten psi. Try and make this a routine habit if you haven’t already.

Now, Time For The Presents!

As the weather outside turns frightful throughout much of the country, it’s a smart idea to consider some practical gifts that even the toughest trucker would find useful as well as thoughtful. Having an established array of emergency items on standby, in case something unforeseen were to happen on the road, would be some real ideal gift giving this holiday season.

Check out some of the items below that will definitely make even the biggest and baddest driver blush with gratitude when they unwrap such a thoughtful gift.

Tobfit LED Road Flares

It seems there’s news everyday about some poor soul who was tragically hit by another motorist along the side of the road, all while trying to alert the driving public of an emergency up ahead. These Tobfit LED Road Flares will help ease any concerns of potential roadside dangers. With nine different flash settings, these ultra-bright lights can be seen from up to a mile away. The lights are outfitted with neodymium magnets so that they can be attached directly to the truck or trailer, and they can also double as a flashlight! Find a six-pack of these LED Road Flares for $39.99 on Amazon

BlackCanyon Outfitters Safety Vest

This vest, coupled with safety gloves, are the perfect attire for any roadside emergency that requires providing high visibility protection for the trucker. Both the vest and gloves feature reflective strips and fluorescent green material for better visibility during the day and night and other low-light conditions. The vest is made of 100% polyester mesh material making it lightweight and versatile, and the gloves feature a split cowhide leather palm which provides extra durability and protection. Find this at any travel center.

Emergency Radio

In the event your over-the-roader has lost the ability to maneuver their rig through the snow and ice, leaving them stranded with little to alert them as to the weather conditions to come. Then having an emergency radio at their disposal would be a terrific addition to their mobile toolshed. This combination of radio (AM, FM, NOAA), flashlight, reading lamp, and phone charger, could be considered the Swiss Army knife of radios! And for just $39.99 on Amazon, it can also be the best gift a trucker could hope to receive.

SOL (Survive Outdoors Longer) Emergency Blanket

How many times has your favorite driver told you about an instance when their truck wasn’t running, and they had no heat? Or that their truck broke down, but they needed to stay in the vehicle for a few nights? Those nights can get extremely cold in the winter. Well, the SOL (Survive Outdoors Longer) Emergency Blanket XL would come in handy in those situations. Depend on the most advanced emergency blanket on the market, meticulously designed to never fail when you're counting on it with your life. Made from vacuum-metalized polyethylene Heatsheets, it reflects 90% of your body heat to help you stay warm. It resists tearing and won’t shred like Mylar blankets if nicked or punctured. Find this 3-pack on Amazon for $25.47.

Some parts of the country are already seeing the flakes a-flyin’, but being properly prepared BEFORE having to deal with any potential weather-related emergency is the ultimate key to getting you to the other side of these brutal winter months. Prep smart and drive safe!