Monty
Expert Expediter
Caltrans :: Live Traffic Cameras
Choose the Tahoe area cams.
I-80 EB at Kingvale is nice ..... (did I just say that!)
Choose the Tahoe area cams.
I-80 EB at Kingvale is nice ..... (did I just say that!)
Snow in the mountains ...
- Thread starter Monty
- Start date
Slacktide
Seasoned Expediter
We recently did Donner's as well and it is proressing nicely but also slowly. With the news reporting Tahoe getting 4" it is only a matter of time before what is a nicely progressing road project becomes a winter nightmare. With the rest areas being closed and the jersey barriers and lane splits headed westbound I also see a disaster waiting to happen.
As the winter weather approaches I urge us all to begin preparing now. Pull out those long forgotten items that were packed away some time back in spring and give them a once over. The few minutes that it takes to take out your chains to make sure they are not a ball of rust and ready for service will be time well spent. Better to deal with them now than on the side of the mountain when you truely need them. A bit of WD-40 goes a long way in keeping them servicable.
For those newbies that are about to embark on their first winter of driving, here are a few thoughts for you to keep in mind. (1) Learn to install your chains NOW while the sun is out.
(2) Keep your truck topped off with fuel (I try not to let it get lowwer than 1/2 a tank).
(3) Be sure to have provissions in your truck ie. food, water, and an extra blanket and fresh batteries for your flashlight.
(4) Probably one of the most important things to remember in foul weather is that YOU and ONLY you are in control of your truck. Dispatchers, owners and threats should NOT influence you to drive beyond your comfort level and abillities. It is always better that the freight gets there late rather than not at all.
Heres to a SAFE winter to us ALL.
Amen to that! The first time I chained up a truck was in Florida where a friend showed me how to do it. Last winter I had to chain up for real on a trip over Donner Pass. Having the time, I practiced with the chains again at a Reno truck stop before going over the hill where highway information told us well in advance that chains were required.
No disrespect to the old salts who eat tire chains for breakfast, but those two practice sessions made me look like a pro among pros when I stopped roadside to chain up. I felt bad for the chain-illiterate drivers who were trying to figure them out for the first time then.
The whole idea of chaining up a truck in the dark in heavy winds and blinding snow can be intimidating to anyone and even more so if you are not familiar with chains. A couple of practice sessions will boost your confidence and help you stay safe. Practice now and be apprehensive about tire chains no more.
(Yes I know how wonderful life can be if you have automatic tire chains on your truck. Our truck does not slip-slide in snow like some others do. It's simply not worth the expense given how infrequently we chain up - once in eight years.)
YIPPI KI YI & Welcome now that ur feet are wet dont get ****y I watch many try to run 50mph chained up then throw them & damage Equipment. Remember this if anything slow and steady u will get there & not as apt to throw a chain. 20 to 35 mph u realy dont need to go faster. Those Automatic chains dont stop WHILE USING THEM KEEP MOVING OR u just maybe get stuck. Have a safe and Fun Snowy ride! Dont forget ur rubber spiders help keep the chains taught, Tight!
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Slacktide
Seasoned Expediter
To add to the auto chain debate I will add this. I have them and wouldn't want to be without them. The chain law was up today, was it needed...nope. With auto chains I was able to keep right on driving while those without them were wet and cold. Had I needed chains they were only a flip of a switch away. As for auto chains not stopping you, they stop my truck just fine. Now that is not to say one drives with the same techniques as standard chains exactly but it's not rocket science.
What you thinking vail is a cake had a snow ball fight while chaining up there then then they resended the chain law. This is a drill chains law in effect. (stand down from chain drill restow all chains and gear.) vail is fun so is donner & especialy snowquamie when they shut it down for 4 hours when your on top of the mountain for avalanch blasting. Then add a grumpy retired navy senior chief co driver thats a senior citizen. Dont think to hard you might blow a dieod. Snow ball fight, duck!
What you thinking vail is a cake had a snow ball fight while chaining up there then then they resended the chain law. This is a drill chains law in effect. (stand down from chain drill restow all chains and gear.) vail is fun so is donner & especialy snowquamie when they shut it down for 4 hours when your on top of the mountain for avalanch blasting. Then add a grumpy retired navy senior chief co driver thats a senior citizen. Dont think to hard you might blow a dieod. Snow ball fight, duck!