Colorado-Land Of Tickets!!

So, a couple winters ago I bought 2 bags of chains (4 chains) for my standard tandem axle 18 wheeler. If I'm reading that right I'm legal in Colorado. "Chain all 4 drive wheels on a tandem drive axle combination". I never plan to chain or run when they're needed but don't I need a set for the trailer too?

 

Looks like you only need chains on the truck tandems.
https://www.codot.gov/business/permits/truckpermits/documents-1/csp-tire-chain-requirements
When I was there in the oilfield, we put one chain on the trailer, and one chain on the steer as well. But that was all off-road stuff in the mountains. When they say "four chains", I assume they mean dually chains? I've never put a single chain on a set of duals before.

 

Four chains means a single chain on each outside drive tandem tire.

California requires the most chains with four chains on each outside drive tandem tire in addition to drag chains (chains placed on outside trailer tandem tires) with there being no preference on whether chains are placed on the forward or rear most tires.

Oregon requires drag chains when chains are required.

Wyoming would just be grateful if there were no massive pileups like last year.

 

I’ve never had to chain so I’m ignorant on that. But to me it seems that a drag chain on a trailer would do no good since it is just freewheeling and there is no tractive torque being pushed through them causing them to dig in. I’m I missing the theory?

 

I'm thinking its more for keeping the trailer straight and giving it some more traction for braking.

 

Yep, On the trailer it only makes sense that it’s for digging in while braking.

I think I’ll invest in a third pair this year. I never know where I might be.

 

Running off road in Colorado in the snow and ice, the trailer would immediately kick sideways if you used your brakes empty. Drag chain was a must. I've even put two sets of chains on my tandems before. Look like giant claws sticking off the tires.

 

To prevent sliding is my guess.

 

Any four tires can be chained on the drive axle in Colorado. You can do all four wheel ends with singles, or you can chain both duals on a single axle. You don't need drag chains on the trailer.