Tire chains

Get the Rand-McNallys Carriers' road atlas.
It has all of the contact info to DOT's in the US and Canada.

 

That's what I get for listening to somebody who should know, rather than going and looking up the statute myself.

 

don't worry about it lurch I was told the same thing while at May.

Small world as I read in one of your posts that you also lived in Illinois I lived there when I was younger but moved away aprox 18 years ago.

I lived in a smaller town named Metropolis.

 

Another good reason to pull your iron out at the company yard this time of year before you need them is to make sure they actually fit and there is no broken links. I have learn this the hard way pulling my chains out on the side of the road to find that the crosslinks are broken or have had the chains been cut down where it made it a bear to link them up. There are three things that usually help me with the whole process. The first is to have a headlamp (minors light) to allow both your hands to be free when your putting them on of off especailly if it gets dark. The second is a tip for 3 railers going over both duals is i use my fifth wheel puller to pull through the middle link imbetween the duals. I find i can get them on tighter and i usually have a hard time fitting my hand imbetween the duals. The last thing is to have plenty of bungee cords cross up each axle. I currentlly run a tanker with aluminum fenders they have about 3-4 inch clearence from the top of the tire. If you dont get them on right you can do some serious machine work and dent the hell out of the fenders!

 

Kewl - been through there a number of times recently.

I went to high school in a town named "Monmouth" - 16 miles west of Galesburg. Folks still live there.

Born in Chicago, too

 

In my opinion, nobody should drive on chains....

If the weather conditions are that bad, it is unsafe to drive.

Don't get me wrong, I drove my fair share on chains....BC, WA, ID, MT, oh and definitely the great state of California.....but I did promise myself that I will never, ever put them on again. I have them in the truck, but never again on tires.

Cheers

 

Yeah....

The great province of British Columbia......Going down to Golden, on a ten hour old patch of ice, only because BC ministry of transportation refuses to trow salt on he road....Never mind the Coquihalla in january...


Cheers

 

You guys... Honestly, Makes me wonder who I'm working with some times.
1) Know your chains will fit your tires properly.
2) Know your chains are intact/ not broken. If you're heading toward a chain control condition, check those puppies out before you leave the yard/ truckstop, what ever...
3) Carry a headlamp, cotton inner gloves and rubber outer gloves and a chain tightening key(s) with you and the correct number of chains for your rig! Rain-gear is recommended.
4)Shut off the CB.
5) When you find the chain control; find a safe place to pull out of the lane of traffic!!! Change into your rubber gear and gloves, and get to work.
6)Drape all 4 (or 6 chains) over tractors 2 or (4 drive outer tires, modified truck maximum), and 2 over (1 each side) of the trailer, repeat for doubles. This is determined by "minimum" or truck "maximum" requirements.
7)Move rig two feet forward.
8)Fasten inner hook on first chain. Fasten outer hook as tight as you can and then tighten all 3 cams. Then install rubber tighteners. The orange 6 piece things are far better than bungies. Be sure to collect excess link(s) and thrust end link thru link closest to outer end-hook. Bungie that piece and the other 5 outer side links of chain together and repeat 3 or 5 or what ever more times. rrrrrrr is good, clank clank clank, not good. If you cut extra inner links, save the pieces. DON'T drop them on roadway!
9)You're almost there... Knock the snow off your boots, and get comfortable in the truck, decompress, open both side windows enough to hear a broken chain, if one breaks, and proceed with your clean headlights on to pass thru the control point, and proceed at 25/ 30 mph, as prescribed, over the mountain.
10) Don't tailgate and don't allow others to tailgate you if you can avoid it!!!
11) Aways remember, accidents involve consequences and tons of paperwork. Be Safe!

 

Chaining up is part of driving, no big deal. If you have someone teach you how to chainup that actually knows how. As far as does it make a difference, yes it does. But there are some drivers that nothing would make a difference to them. I pull double through the 11 west and I chain when necessary, I is always safer to wait it out, But sometimes it is not practicle. I dont believe anyone should be forced into driving in a condition they believe is unsafe.

 

Loose chains are more prone to breaking. Also loose chains will allow the tire to spin in them which will also cause chunks of your tread to be ripped off.

Travel speed is dependent on many factors. While I have done 50 mph for 200miles I would not recommend it as if something breaks there is alot of destruction. I will travel up to 40 mph in fresh powder and 30mph on hardpack.

Tire chains are neither difficult nor scary to put on once you have done it once or twice. I can have 2 sets on and tightened in less than 30min.