Tire Chains

[layoutshooter]

I need to buy tire chains before winter. I have been reading the laws and now I am REALLY confused. Am I right that in Colorado that all wheels on a single drive axle truck. Cables are not allowed and the only legal alternatives are automatic chains and wheel sanders. What does everyone carry? I know that I am not likely to use them, I doubt that I will ever chain up to drive into a problem area. I might have to use them to get out of trouble. I look forward to reading your inputs. Layoutshooter

 

[nightcreacher]

single axle,all 4 tires on drive axle,no cables,,can use automaics but very expensive,if its bad enough to chain up,you shouldnt of went there,thats my motto

 

[Moot]

I'd respond but I am still in summer mode. Tomorrow I leave for a little R & R up the north shore of Lake Superior. Then back to work for a week. And then 10 days canoeing in the BWCA. Thoughts of tire chains can wait. This dude is thinking summer and water in it's liquid form.

The Nice Man (my canoeing name)

 

[layoutshooter]

Good luck in the BWCA, good time of year for smallmouth. I agree with
nightcreather, I don't think chains should ever be used EXCEPT to get off the road if you get in trouble. I was just wondering what most of you carry out there, if anything. Am I right that D.O.T. does not require them? What about the different carriers? I can't find anything about chains in what I have recieve from my carrier. I am trying to outfit a truck with things that I need and don't have alot of money to spend on things that I don't. I kinda think that a set of cables would get you out of trouble if you really needed them and they don't cost a ton. They are lighter so you don't have a big weight penalty. Layoutshooter

 

[bamamule]

ive seen times you need to put on chains to clime some hills but not for at lest 4mo

 

[nightcreacher]

not dot but state,must have them from nov thru april,western states,dont get stuck without them
cables are permitted in some states

 

[layoutshooter]

*SIGH* I guess I will have to break down and get a set. ALL that weight and expense for something I will seldom, if ever, use. Wish I could afford the automatic ones, at least I would not have to grovel on the ground in horrible weather to put them on. I have used chain for years on my pick up truck. I put them on ALL tires not just the drives. Little point in being able to get moving if you can't stear. OH well. What are the carriers position on them? I talked with one company driver, not expediting, and his company says only use them to drive into a bad area. They are for emergencies only. It is a smart company that thinks that if it is bad enough to use chains it is too bad to drive. Layoutshooter

 

[FIS53]

I've found that good rubber for the winter is most what I need. I did a delivery north of Thunderbay in -40 weather and first thing I see on entering the access road is a sign that says "trucks stop here to install tire chains" with a nice area for them to do this. I went thru a bad storm that laid down 2ft of snow and the good tires and the load got me thru great.

Rob Fis

 

[layoutshooter]

I agree and my truck will have a locking differential to boot, BUT, some of the Western states will ticket if you get stuck and do not have chains on. Layouthooter

 

[TeamCaffee]

We have two sets of chains that we will have for sale at the Expo this year for 22.5 tires. With the Super Singles we had to purchase new chains.

We have chained often going over Donner and then also on I5 in California and also Oregon. Also on I84 in Oregon. I will admit I am the truck mover and flash light holder and Bob in the chainer and he does usually get dirty. We have found that many times it appears the chain signs come out to slow the 4-wheelers down as the roads are not that bad. We where in the ice in Iowa this year and I sure would have felt better if we could have chained on those roads. No chain signs and the 4-wheelers and big trucks in all the ditches.

With FedEx Custom Critical it is your choice to don chains and continue driving or just using the chains to get to a safe place. You have to make the call if you are the one out here.

 

[Broompilot]

Nightcreature is 100% CORRECT:

I carry them only from Oct-April, still never opened the bag. If you got to use them the conditions are to dangerious PERIOD.

Ever seen someone chain up? Ever seen how fast they can travel? 14 hour rule you might travel 200 miles in that time, or one or two Mtn passes, you might still find yourself in a ditch not by your own fault, and face a thousand two thousand dollar tow bill, and possibly a fine from the DOT I am sure they have one for just being stupid, even if you used ALL CAUTION you know the DOT and the pocket books of truckers they think we are making money hands over fists.

Keep the chains to sastisfy the authorities, but keep them in the original sack and wait out the storms. Unless of course your SUPER TRUCKER, which I am not.,

 

[jaminjim]

Not to disagree but, They will have the sign up for chaining, if one of the three things are present. Bad road conditions, snowing, or maybe snowing. Just because they require chains does not always mean that the roads are to dangerous. So it is best to do some research before you do your route planning.

 

[layoutshooter]

We will drive a good distance to take a route that will avoid the need to chain up. One time last winter we took a more southern route. It added about 100 mi to the run, but saved 4 days. Donner pass was closed and we talked with many truckers that had been shut down for 4 days waiting. Layoutshooter

 

[TeamCaffee]

Going up I5 we have passed many a truck parked along side of the road with several feet of snow throw onto their sides and wonder if it will be summer before they can get out. I agree with Jim on road conditions you need to know what is going on. We have also rerouted the same as layoutshooter when the I70 is closed west of Denver.