Straight Truck Tire Chains

[Picklett]

My company says we need tire chains, The states say we need tire chains, The weather says we need tire chains...but; no one says how many pairs, which tires to put them on (inner tire or outer tire). I could really use some help on this....We have a
single axle straight truck and it seems that after all these years we might be in the need for chains. Thanks in advance for your help and knowledge in this area.

 

[Streakn1]

The number of chains that you are required to install varies with the road conditions ie: Minimum chain law in effect/Maximum chain law in effect. Since you have a single axle staight truck and if you dont have a lift axle, it sounds as if you will only need a set (2) of chains for your drive axle. They come as singles (covers one tire) or doubles (covers both tires).

When we were in our straight truck at the Fed we carried a set of singles and a set of doubles plus bungees to strap the chains (somebody will need to show you how to do that) to help keep them from rolling. It is also avisable to carry one extra chain in case you break or loose one as occassionally happens.

It is our experiance that even though the law requires that chains be carried on-board during a certain time of the year, some customers do NOT want their sensitive freight moved on tire chains due to the vibration that they cause. This can damage their freight.In our case now with our current carrier. we do NOT move the truck on chains except to safely get off of the highway.

In our own opinion, we do not deliver freight on chains! It can wait! When the Chain up laws is in effect, that means that the roadway is less than safe for normal travel and that your odds to be involved in an accident greatly increase. Is it worth risking all that is at risk to run on chains? Not in my opinion and I'm thankful to run for a carrier and customers that agree!

 

[LDB]

I rarely get out west being solo. The one time I did have a can't pass up load I stopped along the way and bought 2 singles. I had to use them once for maybe 5 miles, one on each outside drive tire. They are in the garage. They weigh too much to haul around all the time. If I need chains again I'll stop and buy a pair after confirming the load pays enough to buy the chains as well.

 

[moose]

i used to run coast to coast .
came with the territory is running the western states , and had to chain up about 12 times in a few years.
be aware that some ports of entry in some states will not let you into the state after Nov. 1st ,unless you carry on the necessary chains .
in your case one for each tire on the ground as to WA , & OR . (the O.R law expanded into the summer as for any time in the year ..)
@ this point chain prices will go to the roof ,over twice the price at a vendor near to the scare house .
+ an extra Del. fee... and at the mountain pass ,the vendor will insist of charging you more to install them ,whether you like to install your self or not...
never ever install on the steers !
if you never used tire chain before , once you buy a set , practice in a nice whether , it well worth the time.
if you do it right ,you (as i ) will never loose a set.
for years i thought chains are a carry on item only ,and told everyone i will never chain up , it is just don't worth the extra risk .
well that's very nice statement , till i was faced with a closed mountain for the next 4 days , ... with a load that will not pay down time.
if you do it right ,there is nothing to be afraid of ,but you most know what you are going to do .and most of all when not to chain .get the right training before you head out.

in the last truck show there was a vendor that offered a quick set up ,it is like a disk mounted between the tires ,and the chain attached to it (2 singles), it make life very EZ ,and very chips to buy .




Moose.

 

[TeamCaffee]

If you will look closely at emergency vehicles and also school buses that have to drive in adverse weather you will often see them equipped with automatic chains. They are rather expensive but can sure help get you out of a bind. You can activate the automatic chains from inside the cab. The chains can help you gain traction on ice and if you are backed into an icy dock help get you out!

They are amazing items to have and nope we do not have them due to how our pusher axle is positioned. As we keep saying on our next truck...

 

[moose]

TeamCaffee ,
Please understand that i just trying to help !
before you spend so mach money on this , Please verified that they are legal in all state . (not only on the interstate ,but ,state rout and county roads as well ,and get it in writing).
and more important , make sure they can work in low speed , as this is kind of a big secret , (they don't !)
the otumatic chain relay on the turning wheel to turn them around ,and posh them unther the tire , at a low speed they just dont work , dont ask the selsman ,ask someone that actually used them every week .
I seeing them in the truck show in Louisville ,and was not impressed .



Moose.

 

[Streakn1]

[QUOTE
for years i thought chains are a carry on item only ,and told everyone i will never chain up , it is just don't worth the extra risk . well that's very nice statement , till i was faced with a closed mountain for the next 4 days , ... with a load that will not pay down time.

if you do it right ,you (as i ) will never loose a set.
get the right training before you head out.[/QUOTE]

You're right Moose, not only most loads don't (won't) pay down time for you to sit waiting for the chain laws to be lifted, some customers will even demand a partial refund if the load is late. Shutting down becomes a calculated risk in many ways.

Depending on how many miles we would be required to run on chains and how many different locations along our day's route were requiring that we chain up is how we determined if we ran, pulled the plug, or requested reroute pay. We developed this practice when we were doing five turns a week year round from Oakdale,CA to Salt Lake City,UT. We were pulling empty 53' reefer trailers from SLC west over Donner Pass and switching it for a loaded trailer at Hershey's in Oakdale to take back to SLC with 44K of candy on-board. We did that almost three years and chained up more than I wish to remember. LOL

Once when we told the Fed we were shutting down until the chain law was lifted the dispatcher insisted that the load be repowered by another truck. My response was "fine, if they want to risk their life and investment they're welcome to it!" I'd even load it in their box for them!" Well, eight hours later no truck had showed up and the chain law was lifted and we went on our way to deliver our load safely. We counted eleven T/Ts wrecked up in a five mile stretch, many with their chains on along with countless cars in the ditch with them.

Get a seasoned veteran to show you the right way to chain up and check them often along the way and as Moose said you should not loose or break them. The extra is still nice to have!

 

[layoutshooter]

I carry chains because they are required in some states at certain times of the year. As to using them, no. I will not drive into trouble. If if is bad enough to need chains it is bad enough to stop. I MIGHT use them to get out of trouble. It is a REAl shame that ALL carriers do not adopt this idea. NO freight is worth the danger involed. In fact, if I were a shipper I would make it clear that I did not want the truck I hired to take a risk like that. Layoutshooter

 

[P51bombay]

YouTube - Snap-On Chains, Inc. -Quick and Easy Traction Systems

 

[Bruno]

YouTube - Snap-On Chains, Inc. -Quick and Easy Traction Systems

Thanks for the info. I'm going to look into those for our trucks.

 

[TeamCaffee]

We have always chained and continued on when the chain sighs are out. Each and every time we felt safer in those states who have the chain laws and use it. When we have our chains on everyone has to slow down and you can proceed at a slow pace. What I hate is when you are in a state on ice and they have no chain laws then you just have everyone running as fast as they can get their tires to spin.

When everyone is wearing their chains the over all speed is very slow so I can just creep along and fit in with the crowd. When I am running on ice and packed snow I want to creep along and am a road hazard. I feel much safer with chains then without.

The people I know that have auto chains are from California have had no problems with chain laws. You do have to have your tires rolling before the chains work as they use the tires to turn the chains. Most I know will activate them in a slick parking lot or even on a slick highway.

 

[Streakn1]

Ever wonder how a truck or T/T can loose control and wreck with their chains on? Especially if they are traveling the posted speed limit and maintaining a safe following distance. It makes no sense!

 

[TeamCaffee]

With chains on the top speed is 30 mph or at least that is what I have always understood. When I am driving with chains on 25 sometimes seems to fast.

 

[Streakn1]

If every driver would respect the chain laws as you do Teamcaffee along with others of like thinking, we could all run much more safely when chains are required. Sadly the cowboys that want to show everyone else how to do it are usually the ones that end up wrecked and taking someone else out with them. What a waste!