DISCLAIMER: I have the highest respect for big rig drivers. That is a job I found, in my earlier years, I wasn’t able to do in a safe manner.
As opposed to owner/operator trucks, most company trucks have speed governors to limit top speed. Many are set at 70 mph. What happens when one truck, limited to the same top speed, is 2-3 mph faster than another? Why, the faster truck passes the slower truck at an agonizing snail pace.
Yesterday business took me to North Platte, NE allowing me to share Interstate 76 and Interstate 80 with the big rigs. Patience, of which I’m especially deficient, was tested.
Another modern convenience that will kill us.
Upside is useless government parasites and office holder will have a new fertile field to tax and impose burdensome regulations. Strictly for our own good, of course. Note at the bottom the funding sources for the study are listed.
Cannabis vs COVID?
That could seriously damage the pharmacy industry’s bottom line.
Inflation
Remember when new tires were under $75? This week my primary vehicle got four dedicated and aggressive snow tires. With all the add on fees and taxes the final tab was $510+. My work requires driving on dirt roads that become muddy and all season tires are inadequate. The tires perform well but cost me about 1-2 mpg vs all season tires. While I don’t plan any trips over the Rockies, I’m ready if I need to go.
A set of snow chains and an air pump live year around in my vehicles. If you need to use chains, put them on as tight as you can then inflate your tires to take out all the slack.
Political Correctness Stupidity
17 comments:
Usually side-by-sides are worse on I-80 than I-76, probably due to truck volume. Drives me nuts, too... I use I-70 & US 383 as much as I can heading out there. Better road (once you are in Kansas).
Be safe out there and watch the weather in all seasons..
I always try and give big rigs a break if I can. And they sure can be frustrating to get behind on a loooong, sloooow pass.
My son is learning all about snow tires vs "all season" tires. He's also going to get some chains, but I can see 4WD or AWD in his future.
The tires on the Chevy Colorado are rated "Mud and Snow", with a fairly aggressive tread, but I'm thinking I really should get a set of chains and practice putting them on. I helped one of our clan get his big rig dump truck chained up once, and it took quite a while compared to a passenger vehicle.
Seabear
I've little experience with US 383. Often when time isn't a factor I'll use the older Highways (30, 40, 50, etc). Little traffic and slowing down for the many towns along the way gives you something to look at).
Weather. One ingrained habit is fuel. I consider 1/2 a tank to be empty. The trip odometer is zeroed at every fueling and when it reaches 200 miles I want to fill up.
DRJIM
One of the cheap Harbor Freight 12v tire air pumps can be a big help. My preference is chains instead of cable but have used both. Inflating the tires to take out all the slack beats fighting the connectors. Get them on somewhat snug and the inflate. Helps keep cross links from breaking.
So you deflate the tires a few psi first, and then roll into the chains?
DRJIM
I don't but some do. With chains on you won't be driving fast enough to cause harm. You will need to deflate to get the chains off. Unlike sand, you need traction instead of trying to float. My opinion and there are many who disagree.
We sure are on the same page with fuel. Off I-70, US 36 east out of Byers is open road, a few towns (but not snowplowed at night in CO). Leaving Byers the next actual traffic light is in Norton, KS 200+ miles east.. Nice road but watch for the antelope (day and night)! More towns and gas stops in Kansas, the eastern CO plains is pretty sparse but the CO-OPs have pay at the pump for fuel. US 385 is a good N-S highway as well.
Safe travels.
Seabear
I've used US 36 often. There is an interesting race track along it. That eastern part of CO is fairly empty but has interesting history as the major North cattle drive trail out of Texas runs through it.
DRJIM
Unless you deliberately go off on unplowed roads, as in never plowed in the winter. your tires and 4wd should be more than enough.
Yes, chains ARE a necessity in snow. Sigh... And good rule about inflation.
OldNFO
One reason chains are needed are other drivers. They clog the roads and slow everything to a stop. Generally if you can keep some momentum you are ok. It is starting from standstill, especially on a grade, that is the problem. One night I was about 800 yards from the top of Loveland Pass (US 6) when some dumb ass out of state skier spun out. I ended up chaining just to go 800 yards. I fondly remember that parties anguish when I charged them $50 in cash, up front, to pull them to the top.
And here I thought "Wilson" was lost at sea!
GB
Hah!
In my "experimenting" with the 4WD last winter, I deliberately tried to get stuck in all the snow we had in the neighborhood. We were mostly unplowed here, and we had well over two feet of snow. I think I'd have to get it seriously high-centered to get stuck, as in 4WD HI it just went through the stuff. It was even really good in 4WD AUTO, and I could feel the front axle and rear locker engage when the snow got deeper.
I would NOT try to get up to the in-laws place without at least having chains with me.
DRJIM
Chains as a back up only makes sense. Tip for cheapskates like myself. Check the Habitat for Humanity store on S Taft Hill Road, or similar. I found chains for my vehicles there, some never used, for >$15.
You are correct about high centering.
Another tip if you are driving a car with traction control. Know how to turn it off. If no switch, where is the fuse? On a really steep slope, or in mud, traction control will stall you out.
A car test company I worked for has a route over Hoosier Pass between Breckenridge and Fairplay. There are 10 mph switchback corners on the North side that are +6% grade. I've seen several cars stopped dead. We learned quickly what to do.
I can fully defeat the traction control, and manually lock the rear axle if need be.
DRJIM
I had in mind SLW's car.
She has four studded snow tires, and if it gets bad, she has me drive.
DRJIM
Good deal for both of you. Still, I recommend knowing how to turn off traction control. You won't be doing more than 20 mph in the conditions where it is a detriment.
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