Snow chains

If im not on the highway already required to chain up, id sit at the truck stop for a few hours.

 

I've never used them, I've never carried them and I always shut down if the weather is bad. Regardless of what the DM say, I'm operating the equipment and they are sitting behind a desk...the worst that can happen to them is getting "paper cut"...You get into a major accident and your career and life are over...I have been off the road for almost a year due to health issues and I'm back in college trying to finish what I started years ago to go into the healthcare field. But trucking is one of the things I love, I have a lot of respect for professional drivers out there and I try to stay up-to-date with regulations.

 

Over here, you'll most likely be sitting for way more than "a few hours".

 

Chaining is tough especially when you have never done it. Make sure you have a good pair of gloves, a flashlight or preferably a miners light. There is alternatives to chains (although I never used them) but they seem much lighter and easier to put on.






Please call 1-423-244-8454 if you do not see your tire size.




SnoClaws Installation Instructions below

Also review online video

http://www.flextrax.com/

 

They're showing 22.5 and 24.5 sizes so I assume their for semi's. Personally I hate chaining, you get this little tool to squeeze down the lock which isn't easy. I've seen T handles which are a little better but (never tried it) some type of extension pipe would make the job a whole lot easier.

 

Just a note: you'll have to check with highway patrol before using alternative methods for chaining. i.e. you can use sanders, it's a box in front of the tandems that releases coal for traction.




Approved Alternative Traction Devices (ATD's)

Approved ATD's may be used instead of chains. These include wheel sanders (vehicle must carry enough sand to negotiate the hill), or pneumatically driven chains which when engaged, spin under the drive wheels automatically as traction is lost.

The rules and regulations disallow the use of tire cables on commercial vehicles. The following are the only two approved situations in which cables can be used:

• Tire cables constructed with high strength steel spring cross member rollers that are at least 0.415" diameter or greater can be used instead of chains on commercial vehicles with the exception of single drive axle combination vehicles.
• On a tandem power drive axle commercial vehicle any type of cable can be used only if there are chains on the outside tires of one of the power drive axles and cables on two or more tires of the other power drive axle.

The Colorado Department of Transportation will be monitoring the use of cables and their effectiveness this winter. The Department can at any time rescind the approval of cables as an ATD.

http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/StatePatrol-Main/CBON/1251594537897

 

Hmmm...Where I live, it never snows, but where I work, I often see snow. I get paid by the mile and if I have to choose sitting for 2 days or driving with chains...I will spend the 30 minutes and chain up for safety rather than sit with no food and drinks to prove a point. That's just me, that's how we have done it for years.

 

I personally would like the autosock. Colorado has approved it for semi. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtBzXVbE3Rc&feature=youtube_gdata_player