I'm from the south and cold weather is something we hardly ever have. I'm leaving soon to a really cold climate for several days and wanted to know how you northern cold weather guys prepare yourself and your truck for driving in those conditions. Things like food, water, warm clothing, etc, etc... I don't want to be stuck in a snow storm and wish I would have brought something I really needed. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

Be sure to get WINTERIZED diesel, before going too far North.
Summer diesel might gel up when cold....

As you proceed North, stations will carry this..

 

Keep in truck:

Ford cetane boost.

Powerservice 911

Add cetane boost and powerservice white to every tank.

Do not fill your tank --- get No. 1 winter blend as you head closer to the great cold. You may not have it in the south.

You will lose 10% mileage.

Charge batteries fully before you leave.

Bring charger with you.

Make sure you have block heater cord (if you don't, get one)

Standard emergency survival kit if you need to live in truck for a few days.

If you ever get off a main highway / interstate, fill your tank first.

Pack cell phones, chargers, emergency clothing / blanket / WATER / clothing.


Once you get north enough... get windshield washer for the north (e.g. -40 or lower freezing point) you cannot buy in the south. Must always have 1 gallon handy.

Get a snow brush / ice scraper for window.

Try to stay off small highways that are unploughed or poorly traveled.

Above all --- drive a lot slower --- you are not familiar with things like black ice (ice on road you cannot see --- look like pavement)... be especially wary of days when temp is nudging just below freezing.


If you are trailering.. warning re freeze damage to trailer water / plumbing.

 

Well, as you know, most would be common sense items.

Depending on what kind of country you are going to be travelling into....traffic etc.

If you are on a busy area, if you break down, somebody is going to pick you up....but plan to keep warm for a bit.

If you live in an area in Northern Canada, like I do...travelling at night, you may not meet another vehicle for 3 or 4 hours. If that's the case, ALWAYS bring warm clothes, hat, mitts, a couple of blankets, 3 or 4 candles...(they throw off alot of heat).

If you are going to be miles and miles from anywhere...you won't want to think of walking is sub 0 temps.....just sit still and keep warm. Always, warm boots, mitts, and hat..( "touque", we call them). A few chocolate bars, to keep up the energy.

Of course, if you are going to be in cell phone range....well, you are alot better off.

If you have a break-down, but can run the engine to keep warm, always be aware of the exhaust fumes....if the vehicle is moveable, always get the exhaust going away (down wind).

I'm in the towing business, and have had numerous occasions where people have gased themselves, after going in the ditch and not digging out their tailpipe, or the wind is blowing the exhause under the car.

Winter blend fuel is also a thought for you....fill up your tank when you get to your destination.

--
Gordon

 

If you are that concerned maybe a "SPOT"

http://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=102

I use this when taking motorcycle trips to areas with no cell phone coverage.
Also allows (if I want) a way for my wife to track our progress on trips.

 

I keep a PLB (personal locator beacon) in the truck at all times. A PLB is much more expensive (initially) than a Spot but there is no subscription fee. A PLB is in a whole different league than a Spot.

 

I think I have a pretty good idea of what to pack for me and my truck and how to prepare the truck. Thanks

 

I live daily in -30 or colder.
Plug a diesel in when its colder than -20 or it may not start and if it does its hard on the motor. I had more than one diesel that would not start below -25 or so.
Wear warm enough clothing that you can walk 10 miles in without freezing.
Two nights ago it was -42 with the wind chill. Skin freezes in less than 3 minutes.

 

You might want to throw a couple hundred lbs of sand bags in the back and a shovel. I always carry a good tow rope in the winter..... More for other people of course