Chainin' Up With Dave In AZ

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Dave_in_AZ, Feb 27, 2019.

  1. Dave_in_AZ

    Dave_in_AZ Road Train Member

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    Real world chaining in extreme conditions. This US 20 west of Bend Oregon. If you are scared of snow, ICE, cause it's all ice up here, don't travel on these routes, please.

    The effort you put into your chain up, will pay off greatly, because you will make it to the other side of the chain restriction with all your chains still mounted.

    One of the secrets to the good chain up, is the bungee strap. $20 worth of bungees, is going to keep the slack out of your chains.

    You will see lots of videos and big talk about tightening chains, or this or that.

    Once again, this is real world. It's snowing like 27 mofo's, it's in the teens temperature, visibility is ####, and the road is packed with snow and ice.

    Once you start up these big hills, you aren't stopping for dumb ####.

    1) Hooks out. Cams outside.

    20190226_161628.jpg
    Oh look at that frozen mess. Not like the UTUBE version is it?

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    Chain supplies. Bungees, 3 or 4 cam tools, something to bust the snow and ice off the frozen mess, FLASHLIGHT, at the ready.

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    I do 1 axle, both sides at a time. Takes me 45 minutes, park to taken off wet shirt.
    That's full chain up, clean all your light, and ice from wipers.

    If done properly, you should not disturb the cat.

    20190225_095018.jpg

    Also please do not chain your steers, like some mega's do. Thank you.

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    And my top speed with chains on is about 25mph. You'll see some guys hauling ###. They have one of those guarantees, I don't know where you get them, nothing is blocking the road.
     
    Last edited: Feb 27, 2019
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  3. IH Truck Guy

    IH Truck Guy Road Train Member

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    Better bend the bungee hooks off the sidewalls.
     
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  4. Cattleman84

    Cattleman84 Road Train Member

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    I think I'm going to need some popcorn for this one... I'm sure @Dave_in_AZ will make this entertaining as well as informative.
     
  5. InTooDeep

    InTooDeep Donner party survivor

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    Maybe maybe not
     
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  6. Dave_in_AZ

    Dave_in_AZ Road Train Member

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    This is the udder side. Now I can unchain and rehang in 20 minutes.

    20190226_174802.jpg
     
  7. Accidental Trucker

    Accidental Trucker Road Train Member

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    Disagree with the bungees. They do "something" when you first put them on, but the colder they get, the less ooomph they have.

    The faster you go, the more oooomph they need to counter the centrifugal force on the chain.

    See where that could get ugly?

    Get the chains tight. Move. Get them tight again. Move, check, and re tighten AGAIN if you have to. THEN put the bungees on to make you feel better -- particularly one on the loose end of the chain to keep it from slapping the crap out of your fender or trailer.

    And you forgot the most important gear to chain: Grunden rain suit with neoprene sleeves in the coat, and insulated water proof gloves (so you can take them off because you can't get the chains hooked with them on ;) ).
     
  8. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Just curious but what exactly do the bungees do? I used ride with my dad back when he was logging and nobody out there ever put bungees on their chains.
     
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  9. striker

    striker Road Train Member

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  10. Dave_in_AZ

    Dave_in_AZ Road Train Member

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    When, not if, you break a few cross chains, it will help to keep them from falling off. They also help to keep the slack out and the cams tight.
     
  11. striker

    striker Road Train Member

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    Keeps tension on them, also, if they fall apart, the bungees will help to pull them to the outside, rather than wrap around your duals
     
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