Quote:
Originally Posted by LA to Cleveland
After reading about the 2 trucks blown over on the 77, I've got to ask just how much measurable wind (mph & strength of gusts, etc) is too much
& as a rule, when would you really want to shut it down ?
If you are talking about last Sunday night at the 3 mile post on I-77 in Virginia, there were actually 4 or 5 trucks blown over. There were 4 on the northbound side and 1 on the southbound side. I traveled that stretch during the wind. The wind gusts were up to 60 mph.
I was traveling southbound on my way down to Ridgeway, SC. I only saw the one truck on the SB side of the road. It was a JB Hunt truck(no I am not going to bash JB). It looked like the truck was actually lifted up and dropped on it's side on the embankment. The other side of the road, which I could not see, but talked to a few drivers who did, said that there was one truck where the trailer was actually dangling off a cliff. If you have ever traveled that section of road it is basically a 5 or 7 mile stretch of road that has I think a 7% grade(I could be wrong on that) and traverses along a cliff that would make a person scared of height a little squeamish. Apparently one of the trucks was fully loaded and pushing 80,000lbs.
I remember when going down I went in I think 8Th gear and kept my speed from 35 to 40 mph. I actually have a lead foot sometimes, so I stayed behind a container hauler that was actually being cautious(imagine that). But about half way down here comes a Crete truck letting gravity do the work for him and as soon as he passed me got hit with a wind gust. I watched his trailer get blown about 4 foot to the left. His outer tandems actually had air under them because of the ditch. The inner tires were still on dirt keeping the trailer on the road. It was pretty nerve racking and upsetting to see. Especially since this guy had 15 years with Crete, you think he would have known better than to run that fast down a hill with 60mph wind gusts. Remember that speed amplifies. I got hit with that same gust, but because I was not going as fast wasn't nearly half as bad as what happened to him. Do not get me wrong, I still had to white knuckle it but had a lot more control of my rig than he did. Just to be cautious, when I saw him coming I got on the CB and mentioned to him to be careful, and that their were 60 mph wind gusts just in case he had not heard. He didn't respond and about 5 seconds later he got hit with that gust.
As a side not this situation brings up a good point. I have to admit, I am a hammer down clown. I have a 80 mph truck and am not afraid to use it. When going down mountains I try to leave about 5 to 10 mph head room if not more in case I of an emergency and need extra speed. What I have noticed is that you need to be careful around the large and some small company trucks(mostly large companies, most small companies either do not govern the trucks or set the governor to 70 or better), that are governed at 65 or 68(i.e. Swift, JB, Schneider, Werner, CRST, Crete to name a few). These guys will go full throttle down a hill without thinking of the consequences. So much for sitting with a trainer for a month. Anyway, that is extremely dangerous to do. Very easy to loose control, jackknife, whatever. Now I will admit to doing it myself under certain circumstances. Usually on I80 in PA where the down hill is a straight away. That doesn't make it right but if traffic and weather permits I go down only using my Jake to save my brakes.
As far as driving and when to shut down. Well, the moment you do not feel comfortable shut it down. No if's and's or but's about it. And remember when you shut it down, make sure you do it in a safe place. Just because you didn't see any trucks on the side of the road doesn't mean nobody shut it down. The shoulder can be a very dangerous place. Try to anticipate conditions, this can be very crucial during winter in places like PA. Keep your CB on all the time (if you don't want to listen to all the noise turn your squelch up). Do not rely on the weather band completely, they are usually a little behind real time. Also, one thing that I have found is in adverse conditions always run with another driver. Do not run up his a$$, but stay within 1/2 mile. Find an old timer. Most of the time when running front door, these guys will call out hazards and such. Also let them know you are there. If something happens to you especially on the desolate back roads, help is not to far away.
Anyway, I have rambled enough, be safe.