Semi-Truck Winch-Out on Winter Road in Spokane

Written by the Pro-Tow Team
Towing and Heavy-Duty Towing in Spokane and all of Washington State

Winter roads near Spokane can be tricky to navigate, especially when you’re driving a semi-truck and trailer along a rural route. Recently, Pro-Tow by FleetEasy responded to a call about a semi-truck hauling a trailer that lost traction and slid off the road near the Spirit Lake cutoff in Eastern Washington, near Spokane.

The tires were barely off the road, but just enough to get stuck in the snow and mud. Due to the angle of the tractor-trailer and the location, Pro-Tow had to send our HD wrecker and an extra operator to get this truck unstuck.

The incident happened near Spirit Lake, WA, on a narrow forest road. The driver got caught on an icy hill and slid off the road. Getting to the truck was tricky, as the road was steep and icy. We had to back up the road for nearly a mile to set up.

The truck was leaning into a tree. Team Pro-Tow ran a white line to a snatch block on a tree. Then, our operator made a careful diagonal pull to get the truck and trailer back on the road. Once out of the ditch, we could put chains on the tires to help the driver navigate down the ice hill. We brought the truck and trailer all the way down until we reached a dry, bare road.

While this driver was relieved to be rescued from that icy forest hill, this incident could have been prevented with tire chains. Even at slow speeds, it is easy to lose traction on ice, which offers virtually no grip and makes steering impossible. Once we chained the truck, it could dig into the sheer ice and make its way to safety.

What causes a semi-truck to slide?

Cooler temperatures can cause the tires to lose elasticity, which makes them less grippy in winter conditions. Even with winter tires, chains are a critical component to safe winter driving for fleets. Here are some other things that can cause a truck to slide into the ditch:

• • Excessive Speed and Tight Corners: Driving too fast for the conditions, especially around a corner or on a hill, can cause more force than the tires can handle and push the truck sideways.
  • Trailer Pushes the Tractor: If the trailer loses traction while braking or on a hill, it can push the tractor, causing it to pivot, sometimes jackknife and slide off the road.
  • Heavy Braking or Accelerating on Curves: Aggressive braking or accelerating can cause the wheels to spin or lock, losing friction.
  • Oversteering or Fast Corrections: If you start to lose traction, overcorrecting or panicked steer corrections can make the truck completely lose friction and slide out of control.
  • Empty or Imbalanced Trailers: Light trailers or trailers with uneven loads are prone to sliding and getting pushed around. This can cause the drive wheels to lose grip.

If you’ve found yourself on a slippery road in winter conditions, slow down. Avoid using heavy braking if possible and focus on smooth, gradual steering. Unfortunately, accidents can still happen. If they do, call Pro-Tow for emergency recovery and a semi-truck winch out.

Tire chains or approved traction devices are mandatory for vehicles over 10,000 pounds in Washington State, including the Spokane area, between November 1 and April 1. Certain roadways require drivers to install chains and will display a “Chains Required” sign to indicate this. Failure to install chains on these roads can result in a fine.

View which roadways require chains in the winter. 

While chains are most frequently required on highway mountain passes and high roads like the I-90, it’s a good idea to use them if you’re driving on any road in severe winter conditions. Using tire chains will help drivers and fleet vehicles avoid the need for a semi-truck winch-out or forest road rescues.

If your fleet vehicle is stuck or you find yourself in a dangerous situation, call Team Pro-Tow. We’re available 24-hours for emergency towing, heavy-duty recovery and semi-truck winch outs. Remember, carry chains during the colder months in Spokane and Washington State and put them on when the road requires it. 

Be safe!