When your big rig begins to skid, it is one of the most terrifying things a rookie and seasoned trucker may experience.
To halt a truck skidding, stop trying to turn and brake so hard that the vehicle comes to a stop slowly. However, there are steps you may do before you even begin to skid to prevent skidding in the first place.
Follow these six rules to keep safe and prevent skidding in a big truck, especially during the cold winter months.
Never, ever slam the brakes
The majority of skidding begin when the driver slams on the brakes. This is a particularly dangerous activity to engage in when traveling downhill or on snowy or slippery roadways.
Hitting the brake, which causes the back wheels to spin or tie-up, is the most common cause of a braking skid. The trailer may then jackknife as a result of this. If at all possible, avoid slamming on the brakes.
Feather the brakes
What will you do rather than hit the brakes? Use a method known as feathering the brakes, which involves lightly braking on and off as necessary. By feathering the brake, you’re effectively performing anti-lock braking.
The goal of the feather braking approach is to use gentle pressure and vary the intensity as necessary to slow or stop the truck without causing any startling actions. You should never slam on the brakes, and feathering the brakes will keep you from doing so.
Know what your current stopping distance is.
Stopping distance for trucks is determined by a variety of criteria, including your speed, the amount of weight you’re hauling, the road environment, and the height of your cargo. Stopping in a truck will take twice as long as stopping in a passenger car. Overvalue your stopping distance at all times. This can assist you to avoid having to make an emergency stop, which could cause your tractor-trailer to slide or jackknife.
Use the Jake brake – but only with caution
In ice circumstances, utilizing the Jake brake is not suggested, so make sure you have a thorough understanding of the driving conditions before use. You can apply the Jake brake if you’re driving in snow or sludge but do so with caution. Before using the Jake brake, make sure your trailer unit is balanced.
Keep the right speed
Maintaining the right speed is among the most important things to remember when traveling in windy or slippery weather in general. In some circumstances, this means you shouldn’t exceed the posted speed limit. In some cases, you should not even approach the speed limit.
Truck skidding can be avoided by driving at the proper pace based on your cargo size and the road environment. Pay special attention to your pace as you approach a hill and make smooth adjustments without brake slamming.
Maintain your trailer aligned
Before utilizing a Jake brake, make sure your trailer is aligned, as we described in the Jake brake section previously. This is a fantastic overall rule to follow. A skilled trucker is always aware of the trailer s position, which allows the driver to respond swiftly and effectively if the rig begins to slide.
Make sure you follow these guidelines every time you go behind the wheel to avoid skidding in your truck. There’s no smarter way to get ready for a skid than to practice avoiding one.