Lots of good advice here for normal drivers.

For bonk, "Don't" is the best you can offer.

 

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I would suggest not crashing.

 

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I only worry about snow on the roads if the nights get below 32 degrees. The snow won't stick if it is too warm. It takes a real cold snap for it to stick on the roads and then it may be just slush or mixed with iced. I can tell if I am driving on either by the sound of my tires. Black ice is the worst and that is usually on brides or overpasses.

 

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Throw a couple of hundred of pounds of sand bags in the truck or find a way to keep weight on the wheels. (Hopefully you have the appropriate type of drive tires for the season)

At 16K gross I assume this is a automatic and not a manual shift because that is a smallish box truck, however you can still manipulate slowing forces by downshifting from Drive to 3rd, 2nd, etc, should you need to. But you may want to practice that a bit when you don't have vehicles around you and are not in bad conditions. Your better bet however is simply not to drive too fast for conditions AND to test your braking power and skills (KNOW your braking power and forces of momentum). A little controlled skidding that educates you on your vehicle handling is very valuable information.

Keep your lights on and free from dirt/snow obstruction. This means that you need to also pay attention to the marker/clearance red/amber lamps around the top of the box. Get a brush or whatever to keep them clear and visible. All your lights should be in working order always, that is not only the law but it is also practical.

Depending on the amount of snow and road conditions you may want to use chains which will slow you down dramatically. IE these are a mixed blessing. Keep your fuel tank above half. Make sure you have all your emergency gear like triangles, (flares needed for winter conditions), fire extinguisher, 20' long heavy duty (4 gauge) jumper cables. A wrench for battery terminals.

Dress like you will be out walking around in the cold and not like you will be in a heated truck.

This next item is better to do this before the bad conditions but do it anyway as it is one of the best things you can do to maintain vision. Use Rain-X on your windows and mirrors. This stuff is fantastic and I highly recommend it.


And just so you know, I have a class A license and can drive anything on the road other than passenger buses. I've done extensive class 8 truck driving in the snow and ice. Black ice is the worst, snow is bad but not so bad if you have weight on the vehicle, this goes for cars as well.

Good luck, stay safe.

GO OFF A CLIFF ALREADY!!!

 

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Extra distance to stop, extra time to get going, slow on turns. Don't EVER floor it on slippery roads or you will sit there spinning your wheels like a retart. Pump the breaks gently and regularly if you start to slip, and if you are going downhill and not getting a lot of traction to slow down shift into a lower gear. Definitely keep warm stuff with you in case you are unfortunate enough to get stuck, and extra water and snacks. I'd also take a few sand bags and a small shovel (I actually had to shovel a foot of slush out from in front of my tires a few years back because I got stuck a half block from my house in it hah). Also - if you are trying to get going again after being stuck and breaking out the sand, rocking back and forward is better than gunning it.

 

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Ok... do NOT downshift to slow down. Great idea on the regular road, horrible on an icy or snowy road. You don't want to slow down that fast. Tap.. tap.. tappy-tap the brakes. Easy on the wheel.

I've driven on snow and ice in northern Ohio all my life. I'm the asshole that flies by you in Texas at 80mph during the first frost you ever saw while you're sitting on the side of the road making out with Brandon Watson, bro. Trust me.

 

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If you have ABS (Anti-lock Breaking System) pumping your brakes is the worst thing you can do. Lots of cars now-a-days have ABS. Know your braking system.

You can not humanly brake better than ABS.

If you tap/pump your brakes it starts and stops the ABS which means you don't brake.

 

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This is true, even many trucks and trailers these days have ABS. If you have ABS, then read the manual. It will describe how to properly operate a ABS equipped system.

As for downshifting and engine braking. This is about knowing your vehicle and having more methods for controlling it should you need it, but not relying on those in particular. Downshifting and engine braking has been used since vehicles first appeared. As someone who has driven large heavy trucks routinely up and over the Rockies during the winter, at 80 MPH on snow pack, I know plenty about winter driving.

You always need to be in control and to be in control you need to know what you can and can't do and how to do it.

Idiot.