What are some of the advantages of driving a truck during heavy weather conditions?
- A larger field of view.
- Decreased chance of hydroplaning.
- The size of the truck will enable you to power through floods.
- The heavy-duty parts will still work after a dip in the water.
The rainy season has officially started, which means that there will be fewer days that you can enjoy without the rain. The worst part is that it might not just drizzle, but actually starting pouring in with a huge gust of wind to come your way ruining whatever plans you have for the day. Understandably, this is a nuisance to everyone but most especially to those who work in the freight industry.
In the Philippines, Foton trucks are one of the most popular vehicles that are used by these companies. They know that this vehicle is up for the challenge of traveling during harsh conditions, such as a tropical storm.
Of course, most trucks are built this way. They have been manufactured and designed for long rides and heavy lifting, considering freight companies need them to travel for hundreds of kilometers. Plus, people in the cargo transport industry usually have deadlines to reach or quotas to fill, which could entail traveling during the typhoon season.
Before going any further, it’s important to remember that driving during these conditions is unsafe. Therefore, you must exercise extreme caution in case you really need to travel with your truck. If possible, pay attention to weather broadcasts beforehand so you know when a storm will make landfall in your area. By doing this, you can schedule your trips before or right after it hits. For those that got caught up traveling during bad weather conditions, you’ll be glad to know that driving a truck has a few advantages.
Larger Field of Vision
Since trucks are made to have an almost vertical inclination. This makes the rainwater flow down faster, making it easier to maintain good vision. Apart from this, trucks usually have enormous front windows. They would almost have a 180-degree view of their surroundings. They are also equipped with larger than usual side mirrors. Overall, a truck driver’s field of vision is very much larger than normal vehicles.
When the weather is bad, trucks have the advantage of having the driver in an elevated seat. The higher up the driver, the better the view he has. It cancels out the blurry vision caused by strong rains.
Decreased Chance of Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning happens when a thin layer of water goes between the tires and the road, creating less friction, and possibly causing the back part of a vehicle to skid. It doesn’t need a flood to happen. Most of the time, about 1/12 inch of water is enough to cause hydroplaning. This is one of the most common causes of accidents on freeways.
Luckily, trucks have the added bonus of being very heavy, especially when they are carrying materials. And even if they aren’t carrying materials, the weight of a truck’s trailer is sometimes enough to negate any kind of hydroplaning—even when flash flood occurs.
Size of the Truck
Of course, one of the main advantages of driving trucks in bad weather is their sheer size. Because of the large size of trucks, floods aren’t much of a problem, especially when they’re still shallow. Trucks can just power through most flooded areas and still go on for miles.
Heavy-Duty Parts
The best thing about trucks and bad weather is that because of the nature of the work that trucks are used for, they are usually equipped with heavy-duty parts. The maintenance of these parts may be hard to do, but that is counteracted by the fact that it requires very little maintenance if any.
Even when you drive over a slightly flooded road, most (if not all) of your truck’s parts will be fine after a dip in the water. That being the case, it is still common knowledge to always have your vehicle checked when you drive over flooded areas.
Key Takeaway
Because of the work that trucks are used and how they are usually made, they are naturally large and heavy. Those are the characteristics that make it advantageous for them to drive during heavy weather.
But even with the advantages of driving a truck, it should be reiterated that driving in harsh weather conditions is not recommended. You must always prioritize your safety even if you are driving a Foton from the Philippines!
