Buying snow chains

When one is at the very front of a multi-day storm expected to close the highway for several days, it's best to get the heck out of Dodge.

That particular trip I'm remembering we got to Reno that night (We'd gotten barefoot just before the state line) and the chain law was up all the way across Nevada the next day. And yeah, we barefooted that, too.

 

Technically not legal on the road, but these are the best 3 railers I’ve had the pleasure of throwing, and I’ve thrown a lot.

 

I haven’t been over either of them since the late 80’s. I’d imagine they’re a completely different picture than I remember them with the clown circus on the highways now.

 

No choice sometimes. I had trucks that were in Vancouver one day and Edmonton or Calgary the next for a few years. We ran over the Rogers or Yellowhead Pass and a bunch of other ugly stuff every night. To make it work in the winter you have to chain up and go if the roads open.

 

In this neck of the woods if you aren't willing to chain, you'll sit 5 months a year.

 

I know Donner isn't really a hill or ever gets snow, but part of my contract is/was if it is open I deliver. I knew what was on the contract when I signed it so no matter how the conditions were or how long it took I delievered

 

Yes, but burning it same as usual. Long climbs and descents that’s as fast as you’re running at the best of times with a set of trains. The only difference in transit times was really only what was spent getting the chains on and off.

 

Sometimes you don't have the time to sit and wait it out. Especially if it's critical contractual loads, the penalties for a late load can be substantial. It's better to burn the hours with the current load and find a way to handle the next with another truck/driver.