Hydroplaning comes in three varieties, and we’re going to review them with you today.
Spring is a season that’s often filled with rain. When you’re a truck driver, one of the dangers that comes with rain is the potential for hydroplaning. This is a serious danger for any driver, as it limits how much control you have over your vehicle while you’re on the road, and it’s often difficult to come to a stop. Hydroplaning comes in three varieties, and we’re going to review them with you today.
Dynamic Hydroplaning
Dynamic hydroplaning occurs whenever water lifts your tires off of the road. Usually, this happens if a wedge of water is able to accumulate in front of your truck’s tires and, as a result, you start to ride on water.
To prevent this from happening, there are a few things you can do, such as:
- Avoid landing fast on wet roads
- Make sure your tires are inflated
- Apply aerodynamic braking and back pressure when slowing down
Reverted Rubber Hydroplaning
Reverted rubber hydroplaning gets its name from the fact that it makes the rubber in your tires start to melt. This happens because your tires get locked into one position. Any water that’s trapped under your tires converts to steam, and it’s this steam that melts your tires away.
Using light brake pressure is key to avoid this type of hydroplaning. You never want to lock your brakes on landing, and you also want to use aerodynamic braking so that your landing gear has as much weight applied to it as possible.
Viscous Hydroplaning
When we refer to viscous hydroplaning, we’re referring to what happens when oil or rubber combines together with water to prevent your tires from gaining traction on the road. This tends to be an issue on runways with plenty of smooth asphalt.
To prevent viscous hydroplaning, make sure to do the following:
- Avoid landing fast
- Use aerodynamic braking and back pressure, like mentioned for other forms of hydroplaning
- Try landing on grooved runways when you can
- Make sure your tires are inflated
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Tags: trucking safety, trucking tips, weather