Winter
 

Winter is just around the corner, well, it is everywhere but Texas. That is the problem, I'm from Texas. Our winters are very mild. I'm in school right now and I'll graduate in three weeks. Soon after I'll go to 2 weeks of orientation in Des Moines with TMC. I think they have snow and cold weather up there. Then once I get with my trainer, we might / probably will be in cold weather. My problem is I don't have a wardrobe for cold weather. Now I've visited the cold white North on occaision, I just haven't lived there. I tend to under dress, my reasoning is that I'll soon be indoors, why wear all that extra clothing. For flatbedding how should I dress? In layers, obviously. Do I need long johns. Maybe just overalls that I can take off after loading. What about getting caught in a blizzard and not moving for days? Just wrap myself in a sleeping bag and have some MRE's and water for emergencies? What clothing and other equipment do I need?

I'm from New England and love the cold and snow. I would suggest buying some boots that snow mobilers use. They are the cats meow!! Buy a jacket with a liner and ends that close around the wrist. Long johns and a flannel shirt should be good enough. Your going to get warm just working outside. Make sure the jacket has a collar that you can zip all the way up and cover your neck. A Dickie is real good also. It's like a little sock that you pull over your head and goes around your neck then you zip up the jacket. A good wool hat and some gloves and you should be good to go. I wouldn't worry too much about being caught for days on a major road. If it's shut down the police will get each and everyone of you out of there. I know, I've helped with my Ski Doo a few times. Women and children would freeze to death before the first night is done if they didn't. Being from New England I always watch the weather report. If it's going to snow I always fill up my tank. With a full take of fuel you can idle for a LONG time!!!

Terry,I would get a pair of coveralls. Dont buy any at Wal-Mart,or any other dept store here in Texas. They arent heavy enough. Get some from up north. If youre in Iowa,get some up there. Be and sure to buy the coveralls that have the brown/black inside lining. Dont buy the red lining. The red lining is for the winters here in Texas,and the brown/black linings are heavy enough to go moose hunting in North Dakota :P I have a pair of Polar King coveralls that I bought when I was in South Dakota several years ago. I wear them when its cold here,and just from walking around while feeding cattle,I break a sweat. You get the right pair from Iowa,or anywhere else up north,those will be all you need. Get some that are just a little bigger. If you get the "right" size for you,they may be too tight.

Do you wear these over your other cloths? Or do you change after you get your load secure? If you wear them over your other cloths do they need to be that heavy? What do you do about rain. Is a rain suit better or a poncho? I can see a ponch flapping around in the wind. It sure is easier to wear though.

If it's cold enough to be bundled up it's sure as hell not raining!!!

Take that as a separate question.

I have been pulling flats for a few years and cars before that. I usually only wear a jacket and gloves. I tend to sweat easily and it is better to be a little cool than work out in the cold wind while wet from sweat. I know very few flat bedder's who use rain gear. I use a windbreaker or light jacket most of the time. I do keep a heavier jacket in the truck, if needed. I rarely use a very heavy coat. It is too confining and you can get a bit hot chaining and securing a load. A rain coat is too hot for me. There are some jackets with vinyl or plastic coverings which are good in rain. They are lightweight, warm and rain resistant.

I pulled flats, based out of WI and MN. There are COVERALLS that are insulated, and you want the kind that have zippers up the sides of the legs. They should fit loose over your normal clothes.

Something else I have used, and seen used is a SNOWMOBILE SUIT. I've used a one-piece, but mostly see two-piece used. The two-piece allows you the option of covering the bottom or not.

Since TMC seems to bet to every part of the country, I would suggest a couple of pairs of THERMAL-UNDERWEAR as well. You might pick up a load in ND in temps of -40 degrees, and deliver that same load in GA at a temp of +70. Not enough clothing and you'll be too cold to work. Too many clothes, and you won't be able to work. But in weather that's -30 with a 50mph wind, NOTHING SEEMS WARM ENOUGH.

If you go through salted snow to deliver your load, a pair of RUBBER COATED GLOVES will keep your hands dry and much warmer than leather when handling water-soaked straps.

Get yourself a set of Carhart Arctic(Insulated Jacket and Coveralls) to stow away in your closet for extreme conditions along with a Pair Of Sorrel Insulated boots or LaCrosse Iceman's. Both are rated for around
-70f and lower. You don't have to wear these things while working but they're very good survival gear if needed.

I've gotta agree with Yoopr on this one. Get yourself a Carhartt jacket and pants (or coveralls.) In a previous life I worked construction in the upper midwest and Carhartts are standard issue in the winter. Plenty warm, pretty windproof, water resistant and not so constricting that you can't work in them. They also hold up to abuse real well. You gotta figure that the cloths worn by farmers and construction workers to stay warm is gonna hold up to anything you can dish out. Along with that, I carry my Rocky hunting boots. I highly recommend them for warmth, water resistance and durability, but I will concede that you can get a lot of the same qualities in a more affordable boot.