Winter Prep: A Checklist For Owner-Operators
When it comes to planning for winter weather, there are a number of things that will inevitably be impacted. Everything from your truck, to the road conditions, to general safety. Preparing early is key, and we recommend using the list below as a basic checklist to make sure that you are taking the necessary steps to stay safe out on the road this winter.
Winter Prep for Your Equipment
It’s no secret that cold temperatures can wreak havoc on how your equipment performs. But there are preventative measures that can be taken to keep your equipment in tip top shape, even as the mercury plummets.
- Check the Coolant System and top off with antifreeze if necessary
- Ensure that your Heater is working properly, even if you don’t need it right now
- Check the discharge lines to avoid Air Compression issues
- Inspect the lines to your Electrical System, older lines can become brittle and break in extreme cold conditions
- Cold weather slows the Battery chemical reactions. Check voltage before it’s too late
- Familiarize yourself with Snow Chains and the regulations in the states you run
If there are any possible concerns, schedule time for the truck to go into the shop before winter fully sets in, and shops start to fill up.
Take Extra Precautions
While your truck might be the first thing that comes to mind, there are things outside of maintenance that can save your life in the event of an emergency during the winter months, especially if you are stuck on the side of the road during a winter storm.
These are great items to have on hand for Winter prep:
- Winter gloves
- Winter hat
- Scarf
- Thick coat or jacket
- Thick wool socks
- Extra blankets
- Flashlight w/ extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Jumper cables
- Non-perishable food
- Extra bathroom supplies
- Extra food and water
- Cell phone charger or battery bank
- Hand warmers
- Snow shovel
- Battery powered radio
- Reflective vest
- Flares
Change Your Driving Behavior
All of the preventative measures in the world are for nothing if you don’t take added precaution when you are behind the wheel. Road conditions can deteriorate quickly, putting yourself, your truck, and your business at risk.
Slow Down – Stopping distance increases dramatically when snow or ice are present, so be sure to provide additional distance between vehicles in front of you.
Monitor the Weather – Knowing is half the battle. When you know when bad weather is near, you can plan your route accordingly.
Prepare For Winter With ES Advantage
For some of our community, winter weather is already here, for others it won’t be long. As we get closer to winter, keep in mind that the ES Advantage team is here to help. Take advantage of our shop and tire discounts to make sure that your equipment is ready for the added stress of running during winter months.
For more information, or if you need help finding a nearby shop within our network, connect with our team at 888-566-9877.
