20 year driver, newbie to snow chains!

Practice now, while it's dry & sunny so you will be prepared when it isn't.

 

Welcome to the wonderful world of snow chains.

First things first: Make sure you have an insulated pair of chemical gloves. The chemical gloves are rubber (or whatever) coated so no water gets through. You'll thank me.

Second.... Chains are a PIA!
Third.... They won't last long before breaking or wearing out. Use sparingly.
Fourth... There are different ways. (either way you fight ) to get them on right. Look up the 'board" or 2x4 way. They say it makes it easy. The double chains are especially hard to get on. Seriously...singles aren't that bad. With singles.... you'll be back in the cab with your hot cocoa, and teddy bear, pretty quick.
Fifth... No matter what. Drive a little after putting them on. Then stop and check them. Bungi cords are your best friend with chains.

 

Screw bungie's.....snow spiders, unless you work for a company that has snow socks, then don't use socks on pavement, only on snow/ice

 

Yeah.

I like to put them on tight. When you hook the inside try to hook it as tight as you can. Sometimes this will leave you with extra chain that will whip around, you can put the end link on the hook and hook again further down the chain to get it tight.

Make sure all the cams are open and hook the outside as tight as you can. If you got both sides tight enough you won't need bungees to take up extra slack In the chain, they will be tight like Huggies.

 

Now is a good time to practice and to make sure they actually fit while it's still warm!

CHAINING...are you ready?

 

Hey,Jaybird: Been OTR for over 50Years. Give this a thought! Some Drivers believe,"If I NEED chains (I AM SAFER IN A TRUCK STOP)Then I can wait till after the snow plows finish. Once upon a time that was me!
No company I'VE WORKED for ever gave me a hard time for choosing "SAFETY". You have to feel It's worth it. Then have one of us OLD TIMERS help You. I'm not the only one to help a fellow trucker. You can ask another driver to help you and you'll help right back! It is easier to gang up, two Drivers against one Chain Hanging! HA-HA! Good Luck! See you out there Some time! They call me "CookieMonster" The one, The only "CookieMonster"! (I've been the COOKIEMONSTER B4 Sesame Street). -10-4-,?

 

Chains are NOT hard to put on.

No clue why people make them out to be such a nightmare.


Drape the chain over the top of the tire, with ends situated appropriately. Then, attach ends of chain to each other. Pull forward (or back up) so the end links are not on the bottom of the tire, and take up slack.

 

My rule for chains...unless I am stuck, if it is bad enough to use chains, I donr drive.