Automatic chains for snow

I don't disagree with what you are saying about knowing how to handle any situation that comes up. I've spent time sliding my car around frozen parking lots for just that reason. I also undestand that conditions in different parts of the country go a long way to determining driving attitudes. People from places that never see snow are going to naturally be more nervous and apprehensive when faced with it for the first time and maybe several more times after that.

What I was trying to say, and maybe it didn't come out the way I wanted it to, was that for many of the inexperienced drivers and wannabes like myself, without having any experience in a given situation, we take what we read in places like this and try to figure out what is best. Like I said about the 20+ year drivers saying they park it if conditions warrant chains. To most of us, drivers with 20 years are veterans and we would do well to heed their advice.

That's the trouble. Who do you take advice from? How do we rookies recognize which 20 year drivers to listen to and which ones are blowing smoke? When a situation like chaining comes up, we want to be as well prepared as we can beforehand. Yes, I'm sure there are plenty of new drivers out there that just "get it" and sort of inherently know the best course of action but there are just as many if not more, that don't.

 

That's a hard one, and I don't know an easy answer. As a general rule, stay away from the lunch counter, and be wary of the a long time driver with a starter company. (Not that all those guys are bad, but you have to wonder why they don't have a better gig after all those years.) Like any where else in life, you have to use your BS meter to filter. Listen to other things they say... Is it braggadocio or passing on information? Look at their attire, how they interact with others. Guys who know their stuff can give you options, and walk you through the 'whys' of each, rather than issuing a pronouncement of the only way to do it. I don't really have a 'key' to give you on who to filter, it's harder than that.

And you're right that some just get it. All our brains have strengths and weaknesses, and what comes easy to one, another has to work at more diligently to become proficient. (Backing is the best example of this; those with very high spatial intelligence find backing almost second nature. They might even have a hard time explaining their method. Others require some set routine to get it done.)

And sorry if it seemed I launched that post at you, it was more at the topic you brought up, not you personally.

 

Although I probably should have my head examined--and frankly can't help wonderin how many times this topic will come up in one form or another--I will once again appoint myself the VOICE OF REASON--Which is terrifying enough in itself!
The entire premise of the argument here is flawed--on both sides--there is no one right answer--no end all be all--so stop trying to make a one size fits all--reminds me of the DOT and hours of service.....
The answer here always has been and always will be--depends on the situation!
A food service driver out of Denver who runs a route that services places like Alamosa-and Pagosa Springs is gonna spend ALOT if time throwin iron--just part of the job--
A mega fleet driver runnin all 48--may have the opportunity to wait out a storm. Now yall are smart enough to figure out all the in betweens...
As for my limited experince...I will stand by what I have stated many times before..for the most part Ill chain to get over a hump--vs sitting--but personally not gonna chain to run all night--at a reduced speed--when chances are I can run that same distance in 1/3 or less the time when things square away---but the other factor here--and a very big one in my mind is cost--iron is pricey--tires are pricier--they really do not like each other---and I'm not big on replacing either one any sooner than I have to....
And of course as is my nature and just to throw one more piece of controversy out here(can't help it)
IF the choice is chaining--or waiting for it to clear and run out with the rest of yee-haw the road is open stampede--Im chaining and see you on the coast--cause that deal truly terrifies me
just sayin

 

I used them before when I used to operate a tow truck. Worked ok. We have some local carriers in Montana that run them on their semis. This is mostly city trucks.

 

No worries. Sometimes I respond to posts without really stopping to think about what was actually being said.

That being said, you seem to have your ###### together so thanks for the advice.

 

This is about as good an answer regarding who you should listen to as you'll ever get.

That second part sounds like me. I can back up a set of B-trains around a barn but I'll be ###### if I'll ever be able to explain how I do it. My answer to those who ask has always been "push the back half with the front half, and mind your truck a little too so you don't hit nothin'." Truth is I don't even have to think about the first trailer.

How do you think that went over at CDL school ? People trying to tell me how to back up and whenever I listened I could never get the #### trailer where I wanted it. I told my instructor this dissection #### of how to back up does NOT work for me, to which he replied "fine then, just put it in the hole" so I did, time and time again, all the while he was outside with another instructor watching me. Both their faces were priceless, my instructor had a " oh yeah, that's my student" grin that couldn't be wiped off with a grinder while the other instructor had a depressed kinda "####, wish I would have ended up with that kid, life would have been so easy" look.

"school" got easy after that.

 

I have auto chains on front and rear drives. Only use on Interstate 5 going into Oregon. Dinner Pass I-80 doesn't recognize them and say I have to have 3 railers as well as singles. Can't put three railers on as it will damage and take out the automatics.

I don't run I 80 in the winter.

 

They could but they are a laughingstock as far as I am concerned. You will be throwing proper chain under there. Remember that the states require chain on trailers too.

When it gets bad enough you will witness wheel spin under chain spinning fire going no where. Trust me on that.

 

Heard some power units would dispense sand infront of the drive tires. Heard those were legal in some states and would not require chains. Anyone have any insight on those?