Weather You Want it or Not, Winter is Coming

Preparing your truck for the upcoming winter season can be a daunting and discouraging task, but it's also something that is extremely beneficial for those who care to use their prep time wisely. Doing so can mean the difference between a major incident on a slippery road or avoiding a major shutdown because of lacking certain winter weather equipment. It would be a smart move to get out ahead of the season now, while there's still decent weather to work with. And unless you have a red coat, a white beard, and eight tiny reindeer, chances are you're going to need more than a sleigh to haul your goods this winter.

So, here are some popular winterizing methods to consider before heading out and dealing with this season's frigid freight hauling ahead.

Make Your List, Check It Twice

One thing you can start with is to check the engine coolant for freeze point and rust inhibitors. Then, a once-over on pressure-testing the system for leaks. Finally, be sure to tighten every hose clamp and thoroughly inspect all hoses for their serviceability.

Make sure to also clean the old, dirty grease from your fifth-wheel locking mechanism. That's probably grown a bit stiff with road debris throughout the warmer months, and cold temperatures will certainly make it worse. Not addressing this in a timely manner could cause difficulty in hooking up and releasing your trailer.

Also, check your alternator mounting brackets, belts, and belt tensioners. Engine vibration will typically tend to loosen things up in there, which increases the chance of the belts slipping on the alternator pulley.

Icy More Clearly

Make sure your visibility is properly tended to by installing fresh wiper blades for the winter. The last thing you need is to have dull and worn-out wipers clouding your vision. Also, inspect your tire chains for any wear and/or damage before you need them. Doing so ahead of any significant snowfall will keep you ahead of the game and in better control of how you handle the elements.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Double-check to ensure that everything in and on the cab is in prime working condition. Check your mirror heaters, heater-defroster fan, and door and window seals for any potential air leaks. Use a little antifreeze lube spray in your door locks to help keep them from freezing, too. Another thing, and this is very important, check your exhaust system for any potential leaks underneath the cab. Since it's quite possible you'll be sleeping with a running engine, you don't want your cab to fill with carbon monoxide.

Finally, cold weather can cause serious issues with your tires. If you're not constantly checking your tire pressure during the winter, which can really be applied to all the time, any sudden drop in temperature could lower your tire's air pressure by five to ten psi. Try and make this a routine habit if you haven't already.

It won't be long now, and in some parts of the country the flakes are already beginning to fly, but being properly prepared before having to deal with any potential weather-related emergency is the ultimate key to getting you to the other side of the upcoming winter months. Prep smart and drive safe.