Winter

[RichM]

As Bob said winter is coming,this months issue of LandLine has a good article about chains and when to chain up.For those who do not get LandLine there are several web sites that can give information.

www.thetruckersreport.com
www.dondepublishing.com
www.thetruckersplace.com.

My opinion has always been,if you need to chain up you need to stop.I know JackD and several other West Coast expediters use them when required but mine stayed in the bag.

 

[TeamCaffee]

Last winter we chained several times and every time we had to chain it was really not needed. I believe the chain law came into affect just to slow the cars down. We have drove on a lot worse icy roads and snowy roads where I felt we should have pulled over and waited. You just have to watch the roads and determine in each intense what you need to do. The automatic chains would be such a great help in these instances.

 

[bigjoep89]

Concrete truck driver 15 years
Concrete sales mgr, 13 years.
Expediter 1.5 years. FECC

Never chained up last winter. We did have to pull over twice and wait out an ice storm. We simply called our dispatcher and informed them of road condtions and were told to do what we feel is safe. Did not take long in either case. Once we were pulled over for about 4 hours and the other we were out about 7 hours. In one instance the dispatcher told us she thought it was a good idea that a truck ahead of us is in a ditch.
Short verision is we will chain up if we have to, however only to get us to a safe place to park and wait it out. "No freight is so hot that the ice can't cool it off"! Be safe.

May God bless our military and vets.

 

[BigBusBob]

My rule is if I feel unsafe and/or that it is becoming difficult and/or scary to control the rig, then I stop.
Freight or people will be safe, the road will be safe, and I will be safe and feel better. Dispatch can shine my lug nut covers.
The Safety department will back me up on a decision like that.

On chaining up, if I gotta chain up... I am stopping.
I'd rather get hit in a truck stop parking lot sitting still, than along the road or ina lot somewhere freezing my jewels off trying to handle chains - that are only gonna be on for probably less than 25 to 50 miles.
Then I gotta re-freeze my jewels to take the chains off?
No Thank You.

Personally, I think it should be mandatory that all co.'s require these automatic chain systems on trucks and busses. Perhaps in the years to come we'll see manufacturers concentrate on some of those winter safety issues.

The Windshield washer fluid with De-Icer in it is a great thing, along with an ice scraper with a brush on one end... those 2 things have helped me out soooo many times.

I'll usually carry atleast 2 to 3 gallons of De-Icer washer fluid with me in an area where I know I may have to use it... and I'll re-stock it back onboard in a heartbeat! And when I stop for fuel I make sure that resevoir is full of fluid, or close to full.

This is a good post for pre-winter Rich.
Later, Bob.

 

[sixwheeler]

question here, when installing these chains are they only going on the drives or do they go on the steers also? thanks

 

[Moot]

Drive axle tires.

 

[mrgoodtude]

Good post as usual Rich,
To ad a little I've done a few west coast winters and like Bob used to take a few more precautions. Carry an ample supply of water, food, flashlight,and cold weather gear, in short emergency provisions should something happen and you find yourself stranded.
I used to carry a piece of garden hose in the box incase I needed fuel for a fire, lighters and 2 sleeping bags rated for 10 degree weather.
Mike and Cyn