Tire Chains

jmcdaniel05 · Jan 10, 2016

So I am wondering about tire chain laws. When I started with my company they told me that the only time you have to put chains on is in an emergency situation where you're stuck and have no choice and then you only put them on to get to a safe haven place to park. They said states that have the chain laws only ever require you to just have the chains in case you need them but they would never make you put them on. The other day however coming out of CA via I-80 as I got up donner pass there were signs saying chain control ahead trucks minimum and all trucks were pulled over putting chains on I kept going because I thought I only had to have them in or on the truck until I saw the sign saying chain control 1 mi. trucks minimum and probably 50 or more trucks pulled over putting chains on so I pulled over and started on my chains which I had never been trained on. It took me 4 hrs. before I finally got them on and by then my hours had been up for 2 hrs. I guess I know now that some states will make you put chains on but I dont see why you cant just creep along without them after all I was only going like 15 mph. I ended up getting up to 8 1/2 hrs in on my 10 hrs and they made me leave never looked at my chains just took off not happy since I only had 1 1/2 hrs left even though I knew that it said chain installation only where i was got a mile down the road where they were checking chains and they said I only had chains on one sidw of trailer and I said that I put them on but apparently they had fallen off and they made me take the exit there and turn back around. Went back to where i was looked for chains but they were gone luckily had set off dual chains i was going to use but another trucker asked me for help and by the time i helped him and got my dual chains on two more hours had passed then i had to take off again and chain control was gone by then but still had to get to a place to park and start my ten hrs all over again by the time i was done roads were clear and i had to take the chains back off. I guess that last part is just me wanting to vent a little. But any input here would be appreciated if anybody cares to comment.

gnaunited · Jan 10, 2016

This falls under checking road conditions. Your company allows you to say "chain law is up, I am parking it." What they meant by having them but not using them applies to many states, including Colorado, Oregon, and California. When crossing I-70 in Colorado during winter, you are required to have them on your truck, but its up to you to proceed and use them if the signs are flashing.

JReding · Jan 10, 2016

You would definitely benefit from a good chain class, I'm not sure your company provides one since they seem to be ignorant of chain laws. Each state has different requirements, and you are required to follow them. I live in Washington state, and if you are caught without chains in when they are required, you face a $500 fine. Each state can require you to have different combinations of chains, as well: in Washington state, if you have a single drive axle, you are required to use three railers. If you have tandems, you may use three railers, or you may put singles on all four outer tires. You also only have to have one drag chain for your combination. In Oregon, however, you are required to use three railers, and must have a drag chain on each side of each trailer. I don't know about other places, but here in the Cascades, if you don't have chains on, you're asking for trouble.

Starboyjim · Jan 10, 2016

What do you mean with "your 10 hrs?" I don't get that.

There are a few very useful and clean videos on chaining big trucks on YouTube.

MACK E-6 · Jan 10, 2016

Starboyjim said: ↑

What do you mean with "your 10 hrs?" I don't get that.

There are a few very useful and clean videos on chaining big trucks on YouTube.
Click to expand...

I'm thinking he meant he was chased out of where he was parked before his 10 hr break was up.

Cat sdp · Jan 10, 2016

Starboyjim · Jan 10, 2016

Double chains are the same, maybe a little faster, a little more work. Heavy rascals.

One driver told me he drops his trailer when chaining.....that's a good idea unless you're on a hill and the trailer decides to relocate.

Jerry12 · Jan 10, 2016

jmcdaniel05 said: ↑

So I am wondering about tire chain laws. When I started with my company they told me that the only time you have to put chains on is in an emergency situation where you're stuck and have no choice and then you only put them on to get to a safe haven place to park. They said states that have the chain laws only ever require you to just have the chains in case you need them but they would never make you put them on. The other day however coming out of CA via I-80 as I got up donner pass there were signs saying chain control ahead trucks minimum and all trucks were pulled over putting chains on I kept going because I thought I only had to have them in or on the truck until I saw the sign saying chain control 1 mi. trucks minimum and probably 50 or more trucks pulled over putting chains on so I pulled over and started on my chains which I had never been trained on. It took me 4 hrs. before I finally got them on and by then my hours had been up for 2 hrs. I guess I know now that some states will make you put chains on but I dont see why you cant just creep along without them after all I was only going like 15 mph. I ended up getting up to 8 1/2 hrs in on my 10 hrs and they made me leave never looked at my chains just took off not happy since I only had 1 1/2 hrs left even though I knew that it said chain installation only where i was got a mile down the road where they were checking chains and they said I only had chains on one sidw of trailer and I said that I put them on but apparently they had fallen off and they made me take the exit there and turn back around. Went back to where i was looked for chains but they were gone luckily had set off dual chains i was going to use but another trucker asked me for help and by the time i helped him and got my dual chains on two more hours had passed then i had to take off again and chain control was gone by then but still had to get to a place to park and start my ten hrs all over again by the time i was done roads were clear and i had to take the chains back off. I guess that last part is just me wanting to vent a little. But any input here would be appreciated if anybody cares to comment.
Click to expand...

Putting Chains on requires practice: 15 minutes: to get these times, lay out the chains in front of the each tire to be chained, be mindful chains are straight. then pull forward stop when tire is centered. (to find center, bunch the chain up closest to the tires into a small mound, when you feel the tires clear the mound...stop. after securing chain loosely, roll fwd about 5-10 feet, then tighten chains...roll slowly, do not drive over 35mph.)

mitmaks · Jan 10, 2016

Youre supposed to check chains after driving a bit. They tend to loosen up after driving for a bit.
i suggest you practice putting them on in parking lot while on your break. Watching videos will get you so far.

TampaTony · Jan 10, 2016

jmcdaniel05 said: ↑

So I am wondering about tire chain laws. When I started with my company they told me that the only time you have to put chains on is in an emergency situation where you're stuck and have no choice and then you only put them on to get to a safe haven place to park. They said states that have the chain laws only ever require you to just have the chains in case you need them but they would never make you put them on. The other day however coming out of CA via I-80 as I got up donner pass there were signs saying chain control ahead trucks minimum and all trucks were pulled over putting chains on I kept going because I thought I only had to have them in or on the truck until I saw the sign saying chain control 1 mi. trucks minimum and probably 50 or more trucks pulled over putting chains on so I pulled over and started on my chains which I had never been trained on. It took me 4 hrs. before I finally got them on and by then my hours had been up for 2 hrs. I guess I know now that some states will make you put chains on but I dont see why you cant just creep along without them after all I was only going like 15 mph. I ended up getting up to 8 1/2 hrs in on my 10 hrs and they made me leave never looked at my chains just took off not happy since I only had 1 1/2 hrs left even though I knew that it said chain installation only where i was got a mile down the road where they were checking chains and they said I only had chains on one sidw of trailer and I said that I put them on but apparently they had fallen off and they made me take the exit there and turn back around. Went back to where i was looked for chains but they were gone luckily had set off dual chains i was going to use but another trucker asked me for help and by the time i helped him and got my dual chains on two more hours had passed then i had to take off again and chain control was gone by then but still had to get to a place to park and start my ten hrs all over again by the time i was done roads were clear and i had to take the chains back off. I guess that last part is just me wanting to vent a little. But any input here would be appreciated if anybody cares to comment.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry but you sound like someone who has no business driving mountain passes. Ge your head out of your ###.

Log in or Sign up

Forums

Find Trucking Jobs

Tire Chains

jmcdaniel05 Bobtail Member

Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

Wait, employers can't reach you!

gnaunited Light Load Member

JReding Road Train Member

Starboyjim Road Train Member

MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

Cat sdp . .

Starboyjim Road Train Member

Jerry12 Heavy Load Member

mitmaks Road Train Member

TampaTony Medium Load Member

Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

Wait, employers can't reach you!

Log in or Sign up

Useful Searches

Find Trucking Jobs

Tire Chains

jmcdaniel05 Bobtail Member

Wait, employers can't reach you!

gnaunited Light Load Member

JReding Road Train Member

Starboyjim Road Train Member

MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

Cat sdp . .

Starboyjim Road Train Member

Jerry12 Heavy Load Member

mitmaks Road Train Member

TampaTony Medium Load Member

Wait, employers can't reach you!