Used my Auto Socks first time on Vails Pass

Some people really talk the auto sock up, best thing invented. Lol
They never run the PNW or you never see them up there.
That's a true mountain test. Lookout, Snoqualmie etc. People know what works up there & don't put their life on the line for a few extra minutes chaining.

 

Ran a lot of goat trails in north Idaho during my time as a flatbedder. My last set of chains weren’t even technically legal for pavement, but I loved them and could go anywhere I wanted at 105k with a set of three railers. I wouldn’t trade chains for anything.

 

Hook those rusted chains together with a tow chain and drag them down a gravel road. Repeat as necessary until all the rust is gone.
Spray them down with a mixture of diesel and liquid dish soap and hang them up off the ground.
Letting good chains rust away seems like a waste.

Back on topic...when the sox first came out we were given a couple of pair free just to try them out and write up a report for the manufacturer.. The first set went on a highway truck and lasted exactly one trip from Susanville to Quincy on compact snow and ice with a lot of sand on the icy spots. They were shredded completely and of no further use.
The second set went on an offroad truck running in mixed slush and shotrock. They lasted...we measured this...less than a quarter of a mile. This was at the manufacturer's request. They wanted to know how the sox would hold up in rough country and in real-world conditions.

I can see having sox to get you out of minor trouble but nothing, so far, beats a good set of P-Wag square link cross bar chains with camlock tighteners..

 

I see a lot of rusty chains on the road. Chains need to be kept inside the truck, otherwise they will be exposed to the elements and will rust.

 

They need to be maintained and repainted and taken care of. Never once kept chains inside the truck and never will.

 

Some Mega carriers are having drivers just pull over and wait out chain restrictions. Heartland was that way when I left a few years ago. My last job before becoming an O/O had automatic chains, and they were great. Now as an O/O I book my winter loads based on weather, and carry the socks. I didn't need them once last year and they're still new in the packaging. It's good being the boss.

 

I think they come from that place in Bonner’s Ferry ID.

 

Dragging the chains reminded me of the old days of CF,PIE,others. You got extra pay if you had to "chain up". Guys would tie the chains to the back trailer ICC bar,and drag them down the road a little ways,and shine them up. Then hang them back on the tanks,get a little extra pay. How ever if a company safety car saw you doing this,it was instant termination. Made a lot of sparks at night though,lol.

Truck sox? I don't know,hard to beat a set of good 3 railers,for getting you through.

 

I experienced nasty headache, hypoxia symptoms up there at Eisenhower Tunnel and motor overheating; no more 11,000 ft elevation I-70 west of Denver for me, that's for birds and airplanes.

 

ooooo... so pretty....

#### now I need to see about Idaho sometime.

 

Phshaw, a little hypoxia clears your head and helps you maintain whats really important in your life for a little while. That mountain air is really good for you.

Try 14000.

Keep in mind airplanes generally keep 8000 feet inside the cabin at 32000 and then above 35000 to 45000 or so they will maintain a 6.5 differental. Meaning you might go as high as 12000 inside the cabin if needed.