Snowing....and Now Scared

Down load this app it will give you a detail description of the mountain pass and grades http://www.mountaindirectory.com/ It takes all the guessing out of it

Be safe John Miller

Recent join - 1st post. SPAM?

The app costs $$ - $25 for East & West.

I know it might be a useful tool - you could have posted the cost and a short review if you're using it.

Rick

Nope not spam. I found the book to be very useful for planning routes that I had not taken.

So far in NE, roads have been dry and winds manageable. The storm that dropped all that snow hit more north of 80 so thankfully things are good. Had a few oh crap moments last night when looking for a place to shut down though. Rest areas were nothing but solid sheets of ice, and I almost got stuck trying to come out of a truck stop on a big patch of black ice that I failed to notice going in. Just this little bit of winter has made me question my decision to drive a truck.... I love being out here, but my confidence is not where it needs to be. I'm definitely not a wuss, but it worries me that I don't think I could chain up if I needed to...not sure how to do it and can't even lift the bag with the chains in them. I believe a healthy level of fear is a good thing, but I find myself worrying (and dreaming) about things that may never happen to me. Is this just normal rookie fear talking, you think?

The prime app has a bunch of training videos and one of them is putting on the chains. I haven't done it yet. If you I need chains, then I need to park. Hahaha.

Its normal to be nervous. Hang in there.

I drive an automatic, and when I had questions about how the manual shifting worked a few weeks ago, a guy in the shop at one of our terminals told me it was disabled. That's part of what worries me. I won't be able to hold the truck in a certain gear going downhill.

Okay. Even so, follow the same steps I suggested. Go slow and if need be use your four ways to warn others behind you.

I drove thru first snow in Montana a couple weeks ago, and yeah it was pretty freaky for me. I turned my radio down, CB up a little (to hear the conditions ahead), rolled down my window a little and slowed down some. I realized I was tightening grip on steering wheel and just loosed grip a little and took some deep breaths and relaxed some. Was going around curves and up & down grades and when I got passed it realized how difficult it really wasn't. Didn't have worry much about traffic, just keep in mind when you are going about 10 or more mph below speed limit, reduced visibility, traffic slowing, and/or worsening road conditions put on your hazards.

I drive an automatic, and when I had questions about how the manual shifting worked a few weeks ago, a guy in the shop at one of our terminals told me it was disabled. That's part of what worries me. I won't be able to hold the truck in a certain gear going downhill.

Okay. Even so, follow the same steps I suggested. Go slow and if need be use your four ways to warn others behind you.

I drove thru first snow in Montana a couple weeks ago, and yeah it was pretty freaky for me. I turned my radio down, CB up a little (to hear the conditions ahead), rolled down my window a little and slowed down some. I realized I was tightening grip on steering wheel and just loosed grip a little and took some deep breaths and relaxed some. Was going around curves and up & down grades and when I got passed it realized how difficult it really wasn't. Didn't have worry much about traffic, just keep in mind when you are going about 10 or more mph below speed limit, reduced visibility, traffic slowing, and/or worsening road conditions put on your hazards.

Good story and good advice.

Slow and steady. Keep your cruise control turned off and don't use your engine brake until the road is dry. I drove 200 miles at 35mph Friday morning. It was rough -I agree. Elk Mountain is not that bad. Just like Rainy D said, I didn't know I was on it the first time I drove it either. Sherman Hill -slow, no cruise, and definitely no engine brake. Nice and easy. Squeeze the brakes gently and then let 'em go.

If the automatic transmission can't be shifted manually let that darn thing lug until it gets to the gear you want and then lock it in place by putting it on "M." That's the only way I can get it to stick with the gear I want, anyway.

Definitely use your flashers out here when a sudden slow-down happens.

And it's not you. Many drivers go way too fast and I tell myself they're either way more experienced or stupid or both.

Go as slowly as you need to (I'm serious) and when you find yourself comfortable, you will naturally, gradually speed up, steadily.

I know this entry comes late but I drive I80 every day and hopefully this is helpful to you and anyone else who reads it.

-mountain girl

I know it's summer time or fall now (I think) But I know winter is coming and that means snow is coming. I have to say I am a bit nervous about driving in it. I am going to take everything I read here about driving in the snow and put it to use when the time comes.