Preparing Your Cab For Overnight Trunking In The Winter
Preparing your truck for the winter months is an essential part of keeping safe whilst on the road. This time of year can bring all kinds of weather conditions from snow and sleet to black ice and thick fog, all of which can make a trucker’s life a nightmare!
When overnight trunking, temperatures can drop below zero and road conditions can get rather dangerous. Driving through the night can be highly beneficial for all involved but in the colder months, but we want to make sure our drivers are as safe as can be too.
At Barnes, our employees have been discussing some of their cab essentials for overnight trunking in the winter months. Compiling them all, we think we’ve come up with a fool-proof list of essentials, tips and tricks to share with you. Take a look below.
Check your tread depth
Worn tires increase your stopping distance and decrease stability on wet and icy roads. You can try to slide by through winter on low tread, but that’s exactly what you’ll be doing — sliding! Set yourself a reminder check your tread depth before every journey, that way you can keep on top of your tires and always know when a replacement is needed.
Food and hot drinks
An obvious but often overlooked thing. Many truckers include pit stops in their daily journeys but as the colder weather draws in, you can never be too prepared for circumstances that may occur. Perhaps roads are closed, or your favourite stop has frozen pipes! Prepping a hot flask of tea or coffee before you set off, along with a lunch option and a few snacks will come in a clincher if you get stuck on the roads and are unable to access rest stops due to adverse weather.
Rechargeable heating packs
Whilst those ‘crack to activate’ hand warmers are effective there’s something much better on the market – rechargeable heating packs. These nifty things work just like a portable charger but instead of charging your phone they plug into a sleeveless vest worn on your chest and heats up your entire torso, almost like you’re wrapped in a heated blanket on the go.
Torch
As the clocks go back and the nights get longer, touches are a must for those of you parking up in loading bays and laybys. If a situation occurs where you need to get out of your cab in the dark, having a light on hand will help you see clearly, and can also let other people/cars know you are there. Head torches are our top choice as they allow both hands to be free and constantly illuminate your line of sight.
Warm and spare clothing
Dressing appropriately is essential. Chilly, damp, and windy are words synonymous with British winter… and for good reason! You may get cold and wet if you are hauling cargo, removing snow from your windshield, or stopping for fuel. Wet clothes, as well as being uncomfortable to sit in, will make you ill if worn for too long in the cold so always make sure to have a dry change of clothes on hand. Don’t forget your waterproof gloves!
Mobile phone & portable charger
Truckers know that the winter is not only the busiest time but also the most dangerous to be making deliveries. If it’s the case where you can no longer travel or you become stranded, having your mobile phone to contact someone for help is key to your safety. Keeping that phone charged throughout your journey is also very important, because what use is a phone with no battery? Whilst we definitely say no phones whilst driving, we do know the value of keeping in touch with loved ones whilst out driving, especially in the winter!
We’re hoping for a safe winter for our truckers this year, and with this checklist up their sleeve, they’ll be prepared for any eventuality. Have you got anything to add to our cab checklist? Let us know over on our socials…
Stay safe out there!
