Excited About Summer! Worried About Winter.

As is says I am so excited about this summer. I've been a little over 7 months on the road solo now. Three months dedicated, four months otr with a side of dedicated runs. I just thinking...warm weather, the road and me..me and the road! Haha. It will be my first summer behind the wheel. I remember many summers wanting to go places and being bored at least before i started tinkering with cars. Now its here! On the down side i worry about winter. The main thing that worries me is the mountain states i hit all the time. I go through wv, va, pa all the time. On top of that places semi major or major bridges scare me a little at the thought of winter. I still dont know whether they salt or put that liquid stuff down. I guess ill know when it gets here. Im going to be a safe driver but i keep picturing that major highway pile up that happened on 70 or 80 out west. I even imagine my mileage may decrease just a "pinch" due to needing to go slower.

I’ll be the odd man out here, but honestly can’t wait till winter. Construction this summer has slowed me down on average more than weather last winter. And this from someone who runs primarily north.

Just go slow. by the time winter comes you will.have a lot.more experience in handling that rig. go slow and do t be a hero. shutdown and message dispatch you are shutting down due to weather.

So far, I think I prefer winter. Bugs, and construction being the 2 biggest reason. I should buy stock in windshield wiper fluid.

Just know it's a whole lot easier to go slower in inclement conditions than it is to slow down. If you're ever out of your comfort zone and getting nervous, shut down. You're newer and your company should expect that. If you're nervous, you're more likely to make a poor choice and get into an accident. Drive it as you would your personal vehicle. No sudden steering maneuvers and very gentle on the brakes.

About those pileups.. you do have a CB radio, correct?? If you don't, then get one.. a basic radio will suffice. A radio is your lifeline and not enough drivers use them anymore and now we see more massive pileups than we ever have in years past. Have it on and hopefully you'll have plenty of advance notice that the SHTF up ahead of you.

Honestly if your worried about it this far in advance you'll be fine. Don't get caught up in trying to base your speed off of how fast everyone else is going and you'll be fine. Just slow down on your own and you'll be fine.

I wish I could have recorded all the trash talking and insults I got when I'd chain up instead of running like the rest. One time a guy really laid into me as he passed me on the shoulder. A mile later I passed him as he was sitting in the ditch. I wished him a merry Christmas. Good times.

For my own good and communication i have bought a cb. Im waiting on the opportunity to take it to someone experienced to help me set it up right. I connected it to the in cab cb antenna connect and so far i can only get channel 6 and its not always that clear. Im thinking the stock antenna isnt that great. The one frghtliner cascadia says is mounted in the roof somewhere. So i also got a mirror mount antenna im going to try but the cable wouldn't go in the connection on the back of the radio. So i may get another cable.

Go slow. If that doesnt work go slower. Then stop if that doesn't work.

Pay attention to weather reports. Pay attention to road conditions. Know state chain laws (even if your company forbids you to use them).

Preparation is crucial during the winter months. Keep plenty of antigel in the truck.

They should understand that you cant run like you can in the summer, so it'll take longer to get there.

No load is worth your life.