The moment your large rig begins to slide is among the most terrifying experiences a new and seasoned trucker can have. Halt turning and braking as hard and allow the car to come to a stop gradually to stop a trailer skid. However, there are precautions you can take to prevent skidding in the first place before you even begin to do so.
Follow these 6 suggestions to keep safe and prevent a large rig skid, particularly during the cold winter.
1. Never slam on the brakes
Most skids are first caused by the driver slamming on the brakes. This is a very risky habit, particularly if traveling downhill or on snowy or slick roads.
The most frequent reason for a braking skid is slamming on the brakes, which causes the back wheels to spin or lock up. This may then result in the trailer jackknifing or swinging sideways. Avoid slamming on the brakes anytime you can to be safe.
2. Feather the brake
What should you do then, rather than slamming on the brakes? Use the technique known as “feathered braking,” which involves applying and releasing the brakes briefly as required. It effectively functions as anti-lock braking by feathering the brake.
The goal of the feather braking method is to halt or slow down the rig without any abrupt movements by applying mild pressure and varying its strength as necessary. To avoid doing this, feather the brakes as you come to a stop.
3. Know how far you can stop right now
You should be able to estimate how long it will take you to stop based on the weight of the cargo you are hauling, the pace at which you are moving, the gradient of the road, and the conditions on the road. Make sure you adhere to this distance once you are aware of it. If you do not adhere to the stopping distance, what use is it in knowing it?
4. Engage the Jake brake (with caution)
Ensure you thoroughly grasp the road conditions before utilizing the Jake brake since using it in ice circumstances is not advised. You may apply the Jake brake when driving in the snow or slush but do so carefully. Applying the Jake brake requires alignment of your tractor-trailer.
5. Maintain the proper speed
Maintaining the right pace is one of the most crucial things to remember while driving in windy or slippery weather. That sometimes indicates that you should not exceed the speed limit. You should not even come close to exceeding the speed limit in other circumstances.
Truck skids may be partly avoided by driving at the proper pace for your cargo and the road conditions. Be cautious to closely monitor your speed as you descend a slope and make any necessary changes swiftly and smoothly (aka no brake slamming).
6. Maintain a straight trailer
It is crucial to make sure your tractor-trailer is in line before utilizing a Jake brake, as we explained in the section above on the Jake brake. This is a fantastic basic guideline. A skilled tracker keeps track of the vehicle’s location at all times, enabling the driver to respond swiftly and effectively if the vehicle begins to slide.
Now that you know the six best strategies for keeping your vehicle from sliding, be sure to put them into practice each time you get behind the wheel. The most effective approach to preparing for a skid is to practice avoiding them. Visit our CDL training course to learn more about winter truck driving safety and how to avoid hazardous circumstances.