Automatic snow chains, and the law on carrying them?

Of course you still need a drag chain on the trailer. Some states want one per axle

 

Internet search has the answers "State of X chain law automatic chains"

 

Yes you need chains on the trailer. If you always have the same trailer, it's worth it to have the auto chains on the trailer as well. I drove for a company a few years ago and had the autos all the way around. They were great.

 

I have seen them - mainly on school buses. I have always wondered how they would do in a class 8 application. Can you go say 25 mph with them?

 

Yep, 25-30 no problem at all. The really nice part about them is driving past the line of trucks pulled over to chain up. You just stay on the road and push a button to engage, and push it again to disengage.

 

California can and will disallow auto chains
have seen it done in the past. Just be forewarned. CAL TRANS on Donner changes crap as they feel like it sometimes

 

I’ve seen videos of them on Firetrucks. No good in mud but they look good.

 

I drove some home heating oil trucks that had them installed. They were worthless in mud, definitely helped in snow on hard surfaces. But not nearly as good as a real set of chains. I always kept a regular set as backup.

 

What's the point of having auto chains if you have to put drags on?