SO, I do a run every two weeks, part of it takes me on US 550 over Coal Bank, Molass and Red Mtn. Passes. Been doing this run for the last year. Few weeks back, someone posted about surviving 550 SB from Ouray to Durango, during the day on dry roads. As was pointed out, now do it at night, in a snowstorm with chains on. Well, I got 3/4 of it. Snowstorm (finally tally was 24" above 13,000 ft., with 6 to 8 in Durango, 8 to 10 in Silverton, and 1 to 3 in Ouray), chains, near white out at times, only had 8K in the wagon. 4 single chains on the tractor and a drag chain on the trailer. Here's a few pic's to help the rookies out, and before anyone says a word, I was going so slow, under 15 mph with no traffic, that I stopped before taking each pic.:
US 550, during a snowstorm
Discussion in 'Road Stories' started by striker, Jan 18, 2012.
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austinmike, Getsinyourblood, gokiddogo and 13 others Thank this.
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Looks real fresh thats what I would use for a spearmint gum commercial "a blast of freshness" How long did it take you to drive thru it? did u get any trailer sliding?
TheRipper Thanks this. -
Those are some encouraging pictures. I'll be heading up that way with my new job. We haul alot of oilfield equipment up there. That'll be my first taste of the Rockies.
alds Thanks this. -
beautiful pictures,where is that?I mean what state?
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that is US 550 between Durango and Ouray Colorado, SW part of the state.
Yep, definetly had some sliding of the trailer, hence the need for a drag chain. Had all 4 outer drives chained. Had a couple of 4 wheelers and a straight truck that I encountered who were not happy with it. Met up with one other semi heading same direction, he was scared witless and was creeping along at 10 mph or less. At times I would get up to 30 mph before slowing for curves. Typical drive from Durango to Montrose is a hair under 3 hrs, this time took me 3.5 hrs.Grijon, dca, NavigatorWife and 1 other person Thank this. -
the scenery looks beautiful.Been up through colorado a few times but not that way yet...Im thinking Id probably be pretty scared to around those curves,looks like a long way down....
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So, a drag chain... Forgive my ignorance, but is this literally a chain you drag behind you?
In all my time running out west I was always able to avoid having to chain up. And the few times I would have had to I was lucky enough to be with a company that didn't want me to go if chains were required.Grijon Thanks this. -
Drag chain(s) = chains applied to trailer tires to aid in braking on snowy/icey surfaces, to prevent trailer tires from breaking loose and causing the trailer to slide.
alds, Lepton1, Grijon and 1 other person Thank this. -
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very nice man! glad it wasn't me
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