Weather survival

[Windwalker]

This time, let's not talk about surviving "DRIVING" in bad weather. Instead, let's talk about surviving a "BREAK-DOWN" in COLD weather.

Temperature drops down to -27, fuel gels up, engine stops... Or, you blow a turbo, and there is not enough oil in the engine to idle for 4 or 5 hours, with the way it pumps out the exhaust and into the intake... A fuel line ruptures or snaps off, engine dies....

Your mission.... SURVIVE...

The best cure is prevention. There are fuel additives that do work. (otherwise, the Canadians would not be running the "ICE ROADS" in winter.) Not all that many years ago, my brother was running across NE, with a cold, northwest wind blowing about 40 mph. The fuel gauge was in the right tank, and that's the one that went solid. He was thinking he was gietting some fantastic fuel economy until the left tank went empty. When the engine died, he was sitting on the side of the road, and getting colder and colder, until help finally got there. (I've waited 6 hours for a service truck to come out once.) I've also known of at least one driver that was stuck in the snow for 3 days. It's been a number of years, but I remember arial pictures on the news, of truck in MT and WY... Only the tops were visible. Drifts of snow were nearly 13 feet high in some places.

An electric bunk heater (like an electric blanket) under the sheet is not too bad, but how long will your battery last. And, a discharged battery may freeze and crack, leaving you with no way to crank it back up after the help arrives.

Both Petro and T/A sell little butane stoves for cooking, but in a closed space, the fumes can be lethal.

Break-downs do happen, and they don't care if it's a seasoned driver or a new one with less then a year of experience. Let's use this thread to spread ideas around for the new people, and let them know of a number of good things for prevention and survival in the event the truck shuts down.

A couple of bottles of "MELT-DOWN" were always a must for me when the mercury started to drop, like it is now. A bottle in each tank, if I needed it, (at the first sign of sputtering in the engine), and I was on my way again in short order.

[turnleft]

Besides food items, I would get a decent tent, and have a crowbar and an axe for tearing up the trailer floor for firewood. I would pack a couple sets of thermal underwear and invest in good winter gear, jumpsuit,skimask,gloves,etc., all Carhartt, they make good, warm winter clothing.

[Windwalker]

Actually, a very good investment would be a GOOD SLEEPING BAG. Something like a Coleman, good for -30 degrees. If you have to, you can climb into that, and keep from getting frostbite. Stay inside your truck as that will reduce the effect of the wind.

I experimented with something a few minutes ago. I have one of the little butane stoves. I opened the sleeper vents, and allowed a breeze to blow through. Then, I lit the stove inside the truck (so nothing else could catch fire) and heated water hot enough to make coffee. Didn't have the stove going very long, and it did keep heat in here, but the coffee is hot enough it's going to take a while to cool down enough to drink it. If you have a way to make warm liquids, even with melted snow, it will go a long way toward your survival.

[Double R]

Actually, a very good investment would be a GOOD SLEEPING BAG. Something like a Coleman, good for -30 degrees. If you have to, you can climb into that, and keep from getting frostbite. Stay inside your truck as that will reduce the effect of the wind.

I experimented with something a few minutes ago. I have one of the little butane stoves. I opened the sleeper vents, and allowed a breeze to blow through. Then, I lit the stove inside the truck (so nothing else could catch fire) and heated water hot enough to make coffee. Didn't have the stove going very long, and it did keep heat in here, but the coffee is hot enough it's going to take a while to cool down enough to drink it. If you have a way to make warm liquids, even with melted snow, it will go a long way toward your survival.

Excellent post

[Jackrabbit379]

Very good post, Windwalker.
Our winters around here are very mild. We get some of that white stuff every once in a while. Believe it or not, it can get slick sometimes.
Of course, I carry my coat with me. I have a pair of coveralls that I bought several years ago in South Dakota when I used to go on harvest. They are the heaviest things I've ever worn, but man they are warm! (I wished they sold heavier coveralls around here) I take my coveralls with me in the winter, just in case of the very same things you stated. I run out in north west Texas. There aint nothing out there but barb wire fences, and the last thing I want is a break down with nothing to bundle up in.

[cdswans]

. . and have a crowbar and an axe for tearing up the trailer floor for firewood.

What would be a likely flashpoint for diesel in extremely cold temperatures?

Would a good sized can of lighter fluid be enough to get the tandems going?

With the tandems ablaze, how much time do you think you'd have before you'd have to abandon the tractor?

I'm thinking a nighttime blaze or the daytime smoke would be enough to attract a response.

[wildkat]

Windy..this is what I carry in my truck in winter...

For me:

Water, dry foodstuffs, extra clothing, long underwear...the one piece kind, they are warmer, thermal socks, and extra coat, arctic mitts, scarf, toque, thermal vest.

For my truck:

Emergency fuel conditioner, regular fuel conditioner, air brake antifreeze..I keep this in an old dish soap bottle...amazing how well it works, extra air lines, extra light cord, 10 lb sledge hammer, complete set of air line parts...had too many freeze & shatter over the years. Also air line extenders..these are simply a piece if air line, about a foot long, with a glad hand on each end, socket set, wrench set, a small propane torch, wooden matches, a tow sling..in the far north NOBODY leaves anyone stranded. There's probably more, but can't think anything else right now.

Also, if you keep a metal coffee can with a candle it will keep the truck above freezing and the risk of CO poisoning will be greatly reduced.

[Mr. Ford95]

Add-on to Windie's post, if the snow drifts are higher than the cab, that's a good insulator for the truck just like an igloo.

Def. get a good cold weather sleeping bag for the winter and plenty of warm clothes. That truck cab will get very cold, ice box like cold in the winter just like a car does.

[Walking Eagle]

After running in Alaska for many years got a few tips, some will work better for O/Os rather than company drivers.
Put a T in the fuel return line so you can feed warm fuel into both tanks. Most trucks come so it only goes to one.
At any hardware store get some plastic pipe insulation, dark gray and split down the side so you can slide it on without unhooking anything, and insulate the crossover line between tanks (the normal thing that stops up first so you are actually only feeding from one tank)
If you are stuck Duct Tape the door seal on the up wind side. Supprising how much cold air actually seeps in espeacialy when the rubber gets cold.
If you are stuck but running can cook canned things on the exaust manifold
If you don't have curtains, which should be closed, tape anything to the glass to form a barrier, old log books etc. .
Go to any surplus store, or LL Bean, and get a few days worth of MREs. full meal with coffee, TP and heat tabs to heat water. Pork and Beans are best.
Like mentioned in an earlier post supprising how much heat a candle gives off.
Don't use propane or charcoal in the cab. Lost a good friend that way.
Carry water. Lot of people say melt snow but a 5 gal. pail of snow will only give you about 1/2 of water in the bottom.
AND most of all Don't Eat Yellow Snow

[Windwalker]

Thanks guys. New drivers, but also some of the more seasoned drivers also, can get caught unprepared and suffer for it. A little extra preparation and knowledge can save a live... Maybe more than one.

One driver I talked to in Canada, a number of years back, figured the only reason his Peterbuilt was still running was 3 pair of wool socks over the fuel filter, with a plastic back over that. I don't know what the temp was, but I think he and I were the only two trucks moving in the area. One of the guys I picked up and took to a truck stop only had a light jacket, t-shirt, and sweat-pants to keep him warm. He had been depending on the engine heat to keep him comfortable. When his fuel froze up, he was screwed.

The idea is... There's more to getting through the winter than just keeping it on the road. You don't have to lose control and go off the road to find yourself in a dire situation. Surviving a break-down that is not your fault is the other half.

You come up with anything more, keep on posting. I might learn something too... For example, I never thought of that CANDLE. But, with a stand and a screen on top of it, it could be used to heat up a can of soup, Dinty Moore Beef Stew, or something else too.

[slol]

Hey, you already mentioned fuel additives, but I think I should point out that this might be automatically added to fuel in colder regions. Fuel bought in texas, arizona, or even central states, will probably gel in very cold temperatures; fuel bought anywhere in the northernmost states or Canada should be fine (within reason). I've spent plenty of time in northern canada in -20 to -30 degrees and never had any issues. (But getting OUT of the truck to re-fuel, that's a different story ) If you're curious, maybe ask what the fuel is rated for, and make sure you top up with fuel once you get to "colder regions" like MN, ND, MT etc. You probably still want to carry an additive just in case.

ps. You can actually get blankets (more like a duvet) that are rated to extremely low temperatures. Certainly more comfortable than sleeping bags, and you'd be amazed how warm they are, just from body heat. You can sleep very comfortably in below-freezing temps without idling (and can survive practically anything), but getting out of warm bed in a freezing cold cab in the morning- NOT fun

Oh yeah, I always stuck a pair of wool socks into the sleeper vent thingies (by your head and feeT), it seems to help, those vents aren't really insulated.

[vavega]

in addition to the normal extra clothes, food, and water, i also carry a box of hand warmers

i also have a solio solar gadget charger. i've never had to use it, but it's cheap insurance in case i can't charge the cell phone off the truck.

[Windwalker]

in addition to the normal extra clothes, food, and water, i also carry a box of hand warmers

i also have a solio solar gadget charger. i've never had to use it, but it's cheap insurance in case i can't charge the cell phone off the truck.

Very good idea. I've used those hand warmers for deer hunting. Put them inside a pair of gloves and they work wonders. I haven't looked for them down here, but up north, I've even seen them in truck stops. Available at any store that sells sporting goods.

I had not thought of the solar charger. Not a bad idea. Available where, and at what price?

Blended fuel is figured for the average temp in the area. I've already had one ocassion when I fueled in Duluth, MN and had to use my bottles of Melt-Down in Valentine, NE. Blended fuel does not guarantee you safe passage. It does help, but best to carry insurance.

You might hear some of the old-timers talk about adding unleaded gas to the fuel for winter. This does not do much for keeping you going. It may keep the fuel liquid longer, but fuel also has water content. It does NOTHING for keeping the ice crystals out of the fuel filter. I've helped a guy change filters and found ice, like sand, plugging up his filter. "I've got 2 1/2 gallons of unleaded in each tank to prevent that." Well, if you think about it, HEET would not be such a hot selling item for 4-wheelers if gas lines didn't freeze up.

The red bottle of "9-1-1" is good. I've used "HOWES". And, I've used one that a company had that did next to nothing. (Even had the company's own name on it.) And, I believe the Canadians have something even better that may not be available down here in the States. Back in the days before electronic injectors, we would add isopropal alcohol to the fuel. Worked wonders. But, now it will do damage to your injectors. Now, it's a big NO-NO. They say it will do more damage than good.

[repete]

in addition to the normal extra clothes, food, and water, i also carry a box of hand warmers

i also have a solio solar gadget charger. i've never had to use it, but it's cheap insurance in case i can't charge the cell phone off the truck.

There are hand warmers and there are BODY WARMERS, I keep the big (5x7") body warmers around and use them when hunting and winter camping. Take 2 and after opening them use duct tape (you do have duct tape right) to tape them over top of your kidneys OUTSIDE of your t-shirt then finish dressing they'll keep you nice and warm for 18-36 hrs depending on brand and size. I also will toss a couple in th bottom of my sleeping bag. When picking out a sleeping bag keep an eye out for "oversized" bags it's nice to have alittle xtra room also get one that has extra insulation in the foot .
I now run local and shut my truck down on weekends so I don't carry many canned goods anymore but when I do have some instead of emptying everything that will freeze out of the truck I just toss it in the cooler(unplug it of course) with a hand warmer and nothing has ever froze. As emergency food I have a couple of MRE's with xtra heaters to thaw them stashed under the bunk(just in case)

ALWAYS have warm gloves and a pull over knit style hat and extra warm dry socks and GOOD water proof boots.
When picking up this stuff think, 3M thinsilate, Gortex, down and wool, you won't go wrong with any of them. give a second thought to "cotton batting" aqua liner and other names like that, when it's real cold you will be too.
And above all STAY WITH YOUR TRUCK!!!! If for some reason you can't Plan where your going and leave a note taped inside the driver's window with info on when you left and how ( did you get a ride or hoofing it) and what direction you went and the desination

[repete]

I forgot to add.
Use the body warmers as a heating pad for sre aching muscles, just tape in place and go bed works great for me!

[jd112488]

what about some porno mags for entertainment!!! geesh, do i have to think of everything?

[Syncrosonix]

when i need winter survival tips, i check out vids onbear grylls.
if i really need water in a hot climate....

[jd112488]

and i forgot the captain morgan and coke so i can keep warm!!!!