Winter conditions are a major challenge for truck drivers, especially when driving through snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. One of the scariest situations a trucker can face during the winter months is getting stuck in the snow.
Whether you’re on a remote highway or trying to make it to your next destination, being stuck can pose a significant risk to your safety, livelihood, and peace of mind.
This comprehensive guide outlines what you need to know to stay safe, prevent further trouble, and safely get back on the road if you ever find yourself stuck in snow.
Understanding The Risks of Winter Driving
Before going into detail about how to deal with being stuck in the snow, it’s important to recognize the risks involved in winter driving.
- Slippery Roads: Snow and ice can make even the most well-maintained roads dangerous, especially on bridges and overpasses. If a layer of ice accumulates on the road, it can cause your truck’s tires to slip when braking, turning and steering, causing you to have trouble controlling and turning your truck.
- Low Visibility: Often, winter snowstorms can reduce visibility, making it difficult to see other vehicles, road signs or obstacles. Therefore, low visibility is a factor in many accidents.
- Freezing Temperatures: Prolonged exposure to cold weather can lead to frostbite, hypothermia and other health problems, especially if your truck is stuck in the snow and you’re trying to get out of it.
- Mechanical failures: Cold weather can affect your truck’s performance, causing frozen fuel lines, battery failure, and other problems. If you’re driving a truck in snowy weather, ice on lights is also a problem, and it’s important to clean them off regularly. Because snow-covered lights can be confusing to vehicles coming from behind.
By understanding these risks, you’ll be better prepared for any situation you may encounter while driving in winter.
What To Do If Your Truck Get Stuck in Snow?
If your truck is stuck in snow, stay calm and turn on the truck’s hazard lights, then clear snow around the tires, use sand or kitty litter for traction and shift into low gear. Rock the truck gently back and forth. If needed, deflate the tires slightly for better grip. Avoid excessive throttle to keep the tires from spinning. Use a tow strap or tire chains if needed.
Let’s take a closer look at what to keep in mind and what precautions to take when pulling out a truck stuck in the snow.
#1. Assess The Situation
When you realize you’re stuck, your first priority is to assess the situation. Stay calm and pay attention to the following:
- Where You Are: Look for road signs, milestones or landmarks that can help you pinpoint your exact location. This information will be useful if you need to call for help.
- The Condition of Your Truck: Is your truck completely stationary, or is it just struggling to hold on? If it’s still shaking a bit, you may be able to get free with some careful maneuvering.
- Surrounding Environment: Look for potential hazards such as other vehicles, snow removal vehicles or trees that could further complicate the situation.
#2. Ensure Your Safety
Before attempting to free your truck, prioritize your safety:
- Stay Inside Your Truck: Unless there is a fire or immediate danger, it’s generally safe to stay in your vehicle. This provides protection from the weather and keeps you visible to other drivers.
- Turn On Hazard Lights: Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers that you’re in trouble. This is especially important in conditions of low visibility.
- Check The Weather: Understand current weather conditions, including wind speed and snow intensity. These can help you estimate how long you might be stranded and when conditions might improve.
#3. Call For Help
If you’re stuck and unable to get out, it’s always a good idea to call for professional assistance.
- Roadside Assistance: Many trucking companies offer 24/7 roadside assistance, which can help with tow services or even evacuation.
- Local Authorities: In severe cases, you may need to call the police, especially if you’re in an unsafe location or have been stranded for a long period of time.
#4. Try To Free Your Truck
If you decide to try to free your truck yourself, follow these steps:
- Clear The Snow Around Truck Tires: Use a shovel or any other available tool to clear the snow from around your truck’s tires, especially the drive wheels. This can provide your truck with the traction it needs to move forward.
- Rock The Truck Back and Forth: If possible, slowly move your truck between drive and reverse to try to move it out of the snow. Do this slowly to avoid twisting or damaging the tires.
- Use Sand or Kitty Litter: If your truck has limited traction, sprinkle sand, cat litter or even road salt in front of the tires to increase friction and help the tires grip the ground.
#5. Use Traction Aids
If the basic methods don’t work, you may need to use additional traction aids to free your truck:
- Chains: If you have tire chains, use them to give your truck extra grip. Always follow your truck manufacturer’s guidelines for proper installation.
- Traction Mats: These mats, which are usually made of durable plastic or rubber, can be placed under the tires to provide extra grip and help you avoid snow piles.
- Jacking Up The Truck: If possible, you can help by using a jack to raise the vehicle slightly and placing traction aids under the tires. This can give you the extra leverage you need.
#6. Don’t Overstress Your Truck
If you’ve tried the methods above and are still stuck, don’t overstress your truck. Spinning the tires too much or applying excessive force can:
- Damage your tires or transmission
- Overheat the engine
- Create a deep snow puddle that can make it difficult to pull the truck out
- If nothing is working, it’s better to wait for professional help rather than risking further damage or your safety.
Staying Comfortable While Waiting
If you’re stranded for a long period of time, staying comfortable is important for your health. Here are some tips for maintaining comfort while waiting for help:
- Dress in Multiple Layers: Winter weather can be very harsh, so make sure you have extra clothing and blankets to stay warm.
- Stay Hydrated: Dehydration can make colds worse, so drink water or hot beverages regularly.
- Eat High-Energy Snacks: Snacks like granola bars, nuts, and other non-perishable foods will help keep your energy levels up.
- Save Battery Power: If you need to keep your phone on, save battery life by dimming the screen or closing non-essential apps.
- Keep a Window Open: If you’re running the engine to stay warm, open a small window for ventilation to prevent carbon monoxide buildup.
- Truck Heat: If your truck is equipped with a working heater, use it to stay warm. Running the engine for a while will help, but make sure you keep a close eye on your fuel level to ensure you don’t run out of fuel. Use the heater intermittently to conserve fuel while you stay warm.
- Back Parking Lights: When you’re stuck on the side of the road, your visibility to other drivers is crucial. Turn on your back parking lights to indicate your position and alert any approaching drivers to your presence. This can prevent collisions, especially in low visibility conditions, and ensures that other vehicles don’t accidentally get too close.
Prevention Tips: Avoid Getting Your Truck Stuck in the Snow
While knowing how to deal with being stuck is important, prevention is always the best strategy. Here are some tips to reduce the likelihood of getting stuck in the snow:
- Check Weather Conditions- Before heading out, check the forecast for winter storms or dangerous conditions along your route.
- Keep Your Truck in Top Condition- Regular maintenance can help prevent mechanical failures. Make sure your brakes, tires, battery, and other critical systems are in good working order.
- Drive Cautiously- Slow down in snowy conditions, and avoid sudden stops or sharp turns.
Know your route: Familiarize yourself with the roads you’ll be driving on, particularly the ones that are prone to ice and snow accumulation. - Carry Essential Winter Supplies- Keep a winter survival kit on board that includes items like a flashlight, first aid kit, blankets, extra clothing, water, and food.
- Avoid Overtake- In slippery, icy conditions, avoid overtaking other vehicles. Passing other trucks or cars on icy or snow-covered roads can be risky, as it can cause your truck to lose traction, especially on narrow or winding roads.
Conclusion
Getting stuck in snow can be a stressful and dangerous situation for truck drivers, but with the right preparation, knowledge, and tools, you can handle it safely. Always prioritize your safety, assess the situation calmly, and avoid overexerting your truck. If necessary, don’t hesitate to call for help.
For more helpful tips on vehicle maintenance and winter driving, check out the Auto Repair Zone blog, where you’ll find expert advice and practical solutions for keeping your truck in top condition.
Banty Paul, owner and founder of Auto Repair Zone, brings over 14 years of hands-on experience in automotive repair and maintenance. This blog was created to share expert troubleshooting guides, repair tips, maintenance advice, and cost estimates for cars and semi-trucks.
