chain tips

Lmao---anyway IMHO it has more 2 do w/how people r being trained 2day---&what they are being told by company---Personally--I will chain in a heartbeat 2 get over the hump & ride---BUT I won't run/long/far w/iron on---2 hard on now very expensive tires& u rnt making real good time--but like I said I ain't sitting in Reno for the next 48/72/96plus hrs---
Besides after 37yrs---& lots of it out west in winter I bet I've still used my iron as much if not more over the years getting in and out of muddy fields!!! Lmao
Just my $.02

 

The thing is, "waiting it out" might not be a matter of just a couple hours. And although storms do pass, they might not pass in a timely fashion or according to some schedule.

p.s. This reply is not really directed at you 'olhand.

 

"It didn't take too long for the "wait it out" crowd to chime in!

There is a big difference in the "driving attitude" from west coast drivers to anyone residing east of Denver!"

......Otherhalf.....


Otherhalf, I don't think it is right of you to make light of chaining up in which a newbie has no clue what he is doing. You always give good advice on this site but in this particular instance I think you are overlooking the fact of the newbie. This guy has absolutely no clue how to throw chains and has most likely just finished training. Do you honestly think it is a good idea to tell a new driver to go ahead and throw chains and take his truck to a place that is worse then where he currently is? Man, if you were talking about an experienced driver than sure, ya, I would say go ahead, chain up, get it done, do what you need to do. You #### sure don't tell someone that doesn't know what they are doing to go and get in a worse situation. That could cost someone their life or lives of others! These brand new drivers have yet to see a winter or have any winter time driving under their belt yet and need to take things one step at a time. Not to mention there is absolutely no reason for any of them to push on anyway. Most of them work for a mega-carrier and are allowed to make the judgement call of shutting down or pressing on. Given that option they need to shut it down and wait until conditions improve. There is no reason for them to throw chains unless they need to get somewhere safer than where they currently are. A new driver who can't throw chains has no business in doing so just to make it over Truckee an hour or two faster! Would you Otherhalf really want to be sharing the road with a driver who doesn't know what they are doing? Would you want your family driving over the same mountain with this guy driving behind them?

This is how new drivers get themselves into bad situations and unnecessary accidents.

 

And along with a lot of the snow and ice goes the wind like this past spring in the Denver area. Too many in a hurry to get through then and ended up rolled over, I think husband had about a 3-4 day wait, but he made it out safer.

 

I have driven over 7 years and have not chained up once. I have waited an hour or two for Donner Pass to open up but nothing more. I think trip planning can save you a lot of time and with the info out there now you can miss most chain up opportunities. I always carried enough chains and cables to pass all state inspections. There is no load HOT enough for me that I need to risk it , my life or my equipment for. Everyone will be happier to have load arrive late than be lying in a ditch. Any load can be rescheduled, don't let dispatch tell you otherwise. Be safe out there and use your head during the winter.

 

One time I was in Cheyenne and I-80W was closed but a friend was down on I-70W and he said it was clear. So I just headed down that way and saved a couple days sitting around. Like I said before try to use all tools available and that includes you head.

 

Chomps...this is, like so many other topics here on TTR, you are right and you are wrong....love those grey matter areas don't ya(?)....

He resides in Idaho, snow country, mud country...it would be safe to assume (don't even go there...I know you!!!) that he has had at least some experience driving with chains on at least a 4 wheeler. Also, I give him some common sense credit points for coming on here and openly asking for advice. As a new driver (rookie, newbie, rook, or neophyte...whatever title you choose) how else will a driver learn than to commit to it and take his shot. If the situation is really severe, I think I can give him credit to trust his counting ability to make sure he has enough underwear to change into after he uses his crowbar, baby wipes, and bleach to clean up the mess after "sucking shorts and seat up his "yahoo"!

 

Hey DirtyJerz,

I gotta ask that placarded pic.. It didn't happen to have been in an SRT trailer a couple weeks back did it? Cause this looks exactly like a load I hauled a couple weeks ago. Right down to how the placards were even placed.

If it was, mind sharing that pic? lol. I can't find it in my phone. Thanks


Now back to topic,

I know I share this opinion with someone else, but I believe if you're a complete noob starting in the winter season, stay away from chaining an/or let your trainer show you how to chain up a big rig correctly.

There's just way too much here that can go wrong. This is just my opinion tho. I for one don't throw chains, never have and never will, but I own my truck. So yeah, back in the cubby whole I came from. Peace everyone and please keep the shiny side UP!

 

spent a year in 08 doing multi stop loads to ski lodges .....almost all off the highway no choices on chaining up and some of those switchbacks on the way to grandby or tabernash or even in new mexico will put hair on your chest ....that being said one winter of throwing chains convinced me to buy my own truck and the bags they came in are still sealed man tires are way too expensive i consider them jewlery

 

So Chompi... I forget, how many times has the chain law gone up in Florida?