Automatic chains for snow

Hey everyone. Where gonna be out of season for chains soon tho I've read a lot about chaining-up and had the following question(s):

Has anyone (owner/operator mostly) every had experience with the automatic chains that are used on school buses and fire/city trucks?

I've never seen them on a semi but it would be harder to see them hanging under the rig.

Can they be used on a semi (tractor)? Is there a law that says they can't be used or will they simply not work?

Thanks.

 

Here's a link for the instachain sight (not an advertisement from me, there are at least a couple manufactures):

http://www.insta-chain.com/?page_id=15

Carrying the minimum number of conventional chains would still be required but from what I'm reading it would not be against the law to use them.

They seem much safer for the driver and can be deployed for varying conditions.


This is for Washington state (my state):

Minimum Chain Requirement

All vehicles over 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight (GVW) shall carry a minimum of two (2) extra chains for use in the event that road conditions require the use of more chains or in the event that chains in use are broken or otherwise made useless,
WAC 204-24-050 (2) (f).

Approved chains for vehicles over 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight shall have at least two side chains to which are attached sufficient cross chains of hardened metal so that at least one cross chain is in contact with the road surface at all times. Plastic chains shall not be allowed. The Washington State Patrol may approve other devices as chains if the devices are equivalent to regular chains in performance (cable chains allowable).

Diagram of proper chain placement (pdf 20kb) for different axle configurations

On the following routes all vehicles and combinations of vehicles over 10,000 poundsshall carry sufficient tire chains to meet the requirements from November 1 to April 1 of each year or at other times when chains are required for such vehicles:

• I-90 between North Bend (MP 32) and Ellensburg (MP 101)
• I-82 between Ellensburg Exit 3 (MP 3.00) and Selah Exit 26 (MP 26.00)
• SR-97 between (MP 145) and Junction
• SR-2 SR-2 between Dryden (MP 108) and Index (MP 36)
• SR-12 between Packwood (MP 135) and Naches (MP 187)
• SR-97 between junction SR-14 (MP 4) Columbia River and Toppenish (MP 59)
• SR-410 from Enumclaw to Naches
• SR-20 between Tonasket (MP 262) and Kettle Falls (MP 342)
• SR-155 between Omak (MP 79) and Nespelem (MP 45)
• SR-970 between (MP 0) and (MP 10)
• SR-14 (MP 18) to Junction 97 (MP 102)
• SR-542 Mt Baker Highway between (MP 22.91) and (MP 57.26)

Vehicles making local deliveries as indicated on bills of lading and not crossing the mountain pass are exempt from this requirement if operating outside of chain required area.
The Washington State Department of Transportation or Washington State Patrol may prohibit any vehicle from entering a chain/approved traction tire control area when it is determined that the vehicle will experience difficulty in safely traveling the area.

 

Hehe. Oops. I forgot that winter goes that far into the year in some parts.

I'm from Western Washington and in another month the heaters won't be used much anymore.

That's what I would have to get used to when driving though. The crazy changes of weather from one day to the next (or less).

That would be another great reason to use those auto chains if a person is an owner/operator. You wouldn't have to put chains on and take 'em off every other day going from weather condition to the next.

This might have all been crazy thinking on my part. The things are only about $1000 (maybe more for a semi) but if it saved a guy a few hours and a little back breaking work sludging around in the snow I think it would be worth it.