20 year driver, newbie to snow chains!

Singles aren't so bad. Watch a YouTube video and try doing it in a dry parking lot a couple times and you'll be good to go.

As for chain vs sitting. I don't think theirs a right answer except do what works for you. I work for a company where chain up and go is mandatory, and we run 3-rail chains, both drive axles, and singles on pup tires if it's really bad. Even thrown steer chains. In so sick of chaining that if sitting was an option I'd take it. Let someone else go play in the snow, I'll catch up later.

 

People on here love telling others how to live their life and drive their truck. Whether it’s the speed they drive or if they want to park vs chain up.

Not everyone wants or needs unsolicited advice.

 

I just don't get it. Driving a truck is a 12 month a year job. Some times loads have to traverse snow covered roads passes with chain restriction that may well go 24-36 hours before lifting. How can you claim to be a truck driver, and stop when it snows?

Yes, I spend most of my winters running along and north of I-80, and the better part of that in the western half. I have gone entire winters and managed to not chain, some weeks related to luck, some related to advanced trip planning, some a mixture of both. But if 30 minutes of work allows me to make my appointment and make my preplan pickup, versus sitting 24+ hours, I guess I'll see you on the way back across and listen to you tell me how much money you made and I'll just SMH.

I'm not telling anybody how to drive, and honestly if they're that weak on mountainous snow travel, it's probably better for the rest of us that they sit. But Scottie pretty much nailed it. it's more about pride and performance level with me. I don't have any family and no house expenses and make better CPM than most, and bank more miles in an average week than 90% of the solo drivers, so if anybody can afford to sit a day, I can. But for most, losing 500 miles in a week hurts, and often there's just no need in it.

 

We run northern California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Nevada.
When it snows we chain up and go. If we don't, our competitors will.
We haven't had any snow related accidents in over twenty years. Good drivers, careful drivers, can handle the snow.

 

Then you about need the iron, if your socks are falling off.It aint that bad out there if you rigged right, you barely need chains except a few pain in the butt places.

 

If it's sloppy out, yes, you need iron. Once it gets cold enough, though, the socks are awesome.

 

My company provides cables. Here is a simple video that shows how.

 

I forgot to add this:
There are benefits to the socks. While chaining can take up to thirty minutes or more, depending where you are and how stiff their requirements, the socks will take ten munutes or less. And fabric weighs a lot less than metal, as well as no reaching around to hook inside links, so they're also back-savers.
Don't get me wrong, I have no problem throwing chains, but if I have the option of socks, I'll take it every time.

 

27yrs, I've chained once on Vail in 95
10 of that I lived in Reno never chained once for Donner.
Ran nothing but 5,15,80,84,90. 95,395,6 yup all those fun winter routes for about the first 12yrs.
If I can't barefoot it , it's time to park.

 

I don't know if it's more hilarious or pathetic telling others that aren't a driver if they don't hang iron.
Its one of those funny I'm better than deals.
By the way I love running on good snowpack.