If you’re a trucker, you know how harsh the winter months can be in most parts of the USA. The weather gets below zero and you are stuck driving in the snow and ice. The weather is also unpredictable and you might find yourself not feeling confident and safe as you are driving.
This guide will show you all the things you need for yourself and for your truck in the wintertime.
Stock Up on Snow Supplies
Since you will be driving in the winter and snowy conditions, you will need to make sure your car is well-prepared for the ice and snow. An ice scraper is a must as it can help you scrap the ice off the windshield without waiting for the car to defrost the window on its own.
Snow shovels are also necessary because you need to be able to remove all the snow from around the tires before you can begin driving.
Car Fluids
It can be a pain to have to stop at a truck service center every time you need something simple like windshield washer fluid. It’s best you just have it stocked up in your car and then you can add it into the car as needed.
Windshield wipers are especially important in the wintertime because you need to make sure you have a clean and visible windshield without feeling like your vision is impaired.
The Right Food and Drinks
Snacking and having plenty of fluids is a must as a truck driver. You need to ensure you are well-fed and well-hydrated while on the road. This can help keep you awake and it can also ensure you stay healthy.
In the winter, it’s better to eat hot foods so you can stay warm. Cold and flu is often more common in the winter so consuming hot food can ensure you are able to ward off any illnesses.
If you like to pack your own food, consider bringing along a thermos of soup or a cup of hot tea. If you prefer to eat at restaurants, you can stop into a place that has winter specials where you can eat some of your favorite winter comfort foods like soups and stews.
Many restaurants change their menus during the winter because they want to give their clientele a place to keep warm so it should be easy to find warm things as opposed to sandwiches and cold cuts.
Emergency Blanket
If you are driving in a region of the US that is especially cold, you will need to keep an emergency blanket in your car at all times. If you plan to sleep in your car, having one of these blankets is a must because it will allow you to stay warm and cozy.
It’s also important in case your truck were to break down or not be able to run properly. While you wait for help, you can snuggle under the blanket and stay warm. If you are in the car shivering, you risk getting sick or falling seriously ill if the temperatures are below freezing.
Hand Warmers
Although you will be in the car with the heat in most of the time, sometimes you will be outside and your hands exposed to the cold. Before you get out to pump gas or hook up a trailer, you might want to consider putting on some pocket hand warmers to keep your hands warm.
Your hands are one of the most delicate parts of the body so keeping them warm can ensure they do not become chapped and painful.
Gloves and Boots
Waterproof boots are important because you might have to stand in ice and snow sometimes. Make sure your boots also have good traction so that you do not risk slipping in the snow and falling as you are trying to get into the truck.
Gloves are also important so you can keep your hands warm. Gloves should also be waterproof whenever possible.
Heavy Coat
This is a must during the wintertime. Each time you have to open the door during a stop, you are exposing yourself to the cold winter. If you have on the proper coat and heavy-duty pairs of overalls, you will be able to protect your body and keep yourself warm during the winter.
Some drivers also like to wear a coat with reflective strips so that people can see them in case they need to get out on the side of the road or something.
Prepare For a DOT Inspection
The last thing you want to happen is for your truck to break down during winter and then you have to be out on the side of the road in the freezing cold. DOT inspections are also possible in the winter so that inspectors can see if your car is ready for winter drives or not.
Before setting out, make sure you prepare for a DOT inspection so you know that you will pass and you will not be held up on the side of the road in the middle of winter.
Snow Chains and Jumper Cables
These are two more truck supplies you need to ensure that you have. Snow chains need to be installed properly before use, so make sure you know how to use them before setting of onto the road.
They will allow you to be able to drive in the snow much more properly as well as give your car better traction.
Jumper cables are also a must in case your truck happens to break down and another vehicle can give you a jump start rather than you sitting outside in the cold.
Final Thoughts
Being a truck driver in the winter is no easy task. You need to make sure you have all the right things and come prepared for the snow and ice. By getting all the things on this list you will ensure to have an easy winter on the road.
