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Planning a Move This Winter? Here Are Some Tip for Safe Winter Driving

The first days of 2019 have brought some highly unpredictable and volatile winter weather in central Ontario. From rain to snow and wind, it can be hard to know what conditions the roads are going to be in later the same day, let alone the next day. For people planning a move during the winter, hazardous road conditions can cause stress, especially for people who are not used to towing trailers or driving larger trucks. Luckily, there are some things you can do to make the move safer and less stressful.

Winter Driving

Living in our snow belt region, residents of Alliston, Barrie and area are generally well accustomed to winter driving. It never hurts, however, to take note of some specific tips to make winter driving safer and less stressful than it needs to be. If you’re planning a move this winter, and are making many trips or driving a larger-than-normal vehicle, here are some tips to keep in mind to help your move, move along smoothly;

  • Avoid cruise control – Most cruise control systems cannot account for road conditions in real time, and often act too slowly or not at all to a loss of traction.
  • Learn how your vehicle responds to skidding – Different vehicles respond to loss of traction very differently depending on the length of the vehicle’s wheelbase, weight, and whether the vehicle is front, rear or all wheel drive. Learn how yours responds to skidding to know what to do in an emergency situation.
  • Keep your gas tank as full as possible – In addition to maintaining peace of mind and keeping moisture out of the fuel system, the extra weight added by a full tank can help your car improve it’s traction in slick weather.
  • Have a safety kit on-board – Keep a kit including jumper cables, wiper fluid, gloves and snow-brush in your vehicle. If you are planning a long distance drive, consider including survival items such as bottled water, non-perishable food and blankets.

Winter Towing

If you are planning to tow a trailer this winter season, whether moving or simply hauling, there is some specific advice to ensure your payload, vehicle, and life stay safe;

  • Increase your stopping distance – This one might seem obvious to those who tow regularly, but it is invaluable advice nonetheless. Extra weight from behind means that your vehicle will take long to brake, and braking to suddenly in poor conditions can lead to skidding or jackknifing.
  • Consider chains and snow tires for your trailer – Snow Tires have an undeniable effect on traction in snow and ice on your car; the same applies for your trailer. Chains are also effective and can be installed as needed. They can be kept in your vehicle in the event of unexpected weather and installed as needed.
  • Wipe the snow off the top of your trailer – This might seem tedious for people with tall trailers, but it could save you from thousands of dollars in repairs and fees. Braking hard can result in frozen snow or ice chunks flying directly into the rear of your car, and ice chunks have a significant risk of hitting vehicles behind you when driving at high speeds. Take the time to pull out a ladder and clear the roof of your trailer.

Moving in the winter can be tedious and daunting, especially when it comes to moving all of your belongings in bad weather. For those looking to forgo the winter move and wait for spring, Alliston Self Storage’s secure facility provides a safe place for your belongings until they are ready to move. Take a look at our size guide and size estimator to get an idea of how much space you might need.

Talk to us today to find out about our rates and unit availability. Drive safely!