Chains and chain alternatives....

If you are required to toss chain on tires, consider a storm warning safe haven until it clears. Remember if you chain up and you still spin out a tow is several hundred dollars to you.

Usually dispatcher warned us to gtfo of the area when a winter storm comes ashore off the mighty pacific. Or my favorite the whillawaw express from Alaska. I'll throw the logbook away and get over Cabbage and refuse to stop until past Fort Bridger. Laramie turns out to be a pretty good storm rest once you get up and on top of the hill there east of town.

Wyoming is unique in one problem over winter. Truckers flopping onto the sides and we pull up near them and provide them with heat and safe haven till morning sometimes. Dispatch used to go crazzzy, why did you stop? WHY?! Human decency that's why. NOOOOOO... no one stops... /raves... sheesh.

 

I have always been of the opinion that no load is worth your life or career. To me chaining up means to only get to a safe place to ride out the storm. Best advice is to keep a watch out for those storms and keep that rig parked. One of the most sickening sights I can think of is leaving a truck stop after an ice or snow storm and see all the carnage in the medians and sides of the roads where drivers just had to get that load delivered or picked up.

 

In almost 40 years of trucking, I've never "hung iron", mostly because, a) I was a midwest driver and not concerned with mountain driving, where some sort of traction device is needed, and b) if it was that bad out, I'd sit and wait for a plow, or not go in at all, until later. I had a friend that used those cables that go through the holes in the wheels with good results. Claims he went 35-40 mph with them, unlike chains, where maybe 25 mph would be tops, but still better than 0 mph, if you HAD to be somewhere.

 

Only three chains once, and it was in a Schneider yard because my bobtail got stuck.

I know what you're talking about but I seem them on cars and not trucks. I would think they would wear out faster on a truck.
Plus is it even legal on a truck?

 

I never have installed a set chains. I normally don't do that sort of driving.

I did one time go through the mountains on I40 on the TN/NC line one time. I40 had been closed for 3 days and I was ready to get home. The worst part was while it was mostly clear, there were problem sections that were pure ice. It's a sobering thought when you see all those trucks that didn't make it, trying to navigate the same road as you. I hadn't been driving long but it was back when I was young and dumb. It was by God's grace I made it, I'd never attempt it now that I know better.

 

Chained 8 times last winter, I say stick to normal tire chains. Not Shure about the cleets you speak of.

The auto socks are good if your actually on top of snow the whole time, but if you get on raw blacktop it chews em up quick. And certain states that start with the letters Oregon, might have you throw iron on plain ole wet road.

While everyone else was fighting for freight in the south, I was moving all over the 90/80/70 corridors for the best months I ever had.

Don't drive beyond what you feel comfortable, but you only know what a truck can really handle if you've been in the conditions. If it's a case of chain up for like 30-50 miles I'll do it and hit dry ground and run. But if it's any more than that I don't go past the next safe haven.

 

Bleach + scoop on the kitty litter.

Floor it.

Traction light be ######. We are in Canada. Learn to drive sideways already eh!