where do you get tire chains?

Just wait for the first big snow on Donner,you will find them laying around everywhere.

 

MNDriver, If you ever get to L.A., pm me. I've got extra sets from downsizing.

 

Lol I cant wait. Hopefully i get off this bid before winter. I hate chaining.

 

Your best bet is to check every truckstop you go to in the next few weeks and compare prices, there is quite a difference in pricing. This time of year is the best time to buy them, if you wait to buy them when the season hits, (September in Colorado), the pricing is usually higher. After you start using them make sure you check them every so often, if you use them much it is best to consider them as consumables, because they do wear out, and break at welds etc. etc.
Also get in the practice of checking your tires when you pull them off, a lot of guys never check their chains and are always loosing links here and there, check your tires, sometimes you can catch them before they have completely punchered your tire and you can pull them out with plyers. Next time your near the truckstop garages or tire shops on each side of the mountain passes check out the links that they are always pulling out of the tires, sometimes they have cans full of them, sometimes ruining the tires. When you buy them you will need to know your tire size for the tractor and the trailer, also get some tarp straps to tye up the chain ends.

 

I can't remember which one, but the last set I bought was at a Flying J, their pricing was as good as any of the mail order shops and there are no shipping charges to pay. And if I remember right the flying J prices are not the same at each location. The good thing is that the chain racks are usually by the entrance by the fuel islands, so a quick glance as your going in the door is all it takes.

 

I'm just now getting it out of the archives, it was either the Flying J in Gillete or Spokane.

 

My company has terminals all around the country. Oftentimes in the east and southeast and south terminals, there are mountains of chains piled up that the company drivers throw off their trucks, which I glean through and pick out the good ones, oftentimes again brand new in the bag never opened. I put 'em on the truck and when I home, stick 'em in the garage. As they break out on the road, just grab a couple spares and throw on the truck.

Other than that, just do what you're doing, asking for advice for the best value, send the receipts to your tax professional and it's all good.