Best Way To Put On Chains?

Where I run you either chain or you don't go...
I like money, So I chain and go! I've been puttin'em on since the 70's so I've had a LOT of practice.

I learned how to chain up in the middle of summer...It's easier to learn when you're not freezin'yerass off!

 

This type of chaim that had carbide tipped studs is what at least 90% of truckers use in Canada and Alaska.

I could care less if the ice is solid or just snow etc. It takes a few minutes to put on and away you go.

I posted the video above, notoce that the video was under 4 minutes and that driver put on a triple rail chain in that short a period.

http://www.trygg.no/de/

 

So which axle do you chain on the truck?

I had to chain up on hwy 140 between Medford OR and Klamath Falls, OR the other morning and I put a set of 3-railers on the rear drives and what little snow I found on the sides of the road made it spin until I interlocked it. Started watching and see some chain the front drive and some chain the rear drives. Does it not matter, do you just interlock it and go? Always thought the rear axle was the drive unless interlocked.

 

Did'ya put two sets of three railers on? You have to chain up both of the wheels on a singe axle in order for the chains to help.
If ya just chain up one side....The other side'll just spin.

 

LOL, yeah I had both sides of the rear drive chained. When you chain one drive axle do you then use the power divider too?

 

Realistically you shouldn't need to use your power divider when chained up.

Keep something in mind, and this only applies to Colo., Wyo. and Mont., the recommendations that the state gives, are just that, recommendations. Colorado requires that when code 18 (chain law for all commercial vehicles) is implemented, that the minimum chain is singles on all 4 outer drive tires (twin screw tractors), single drives must use 3-railers. Now, in 13 yrs of driving Colorado mtn's, when the chain law goes up, typically I will only chain one axle, either my front or my rear depending on my mood. It also depends on which is your primary drive axle, your front or your rear. On my tractor my rear axle is my drive axle, hence I will usually chain it. AS for putting all 4 chains on, I let the road conditions and traffic dictate that. If traffic is light (middle of the night) I will generally only chain one axle as there isn't as much BS to worry about with stop/go traffic and risk of spinning out. If traffic is heavy, or the snow is really heavy, I'll chain all 4 drives.

I personally carry 3 complete sets of chains and a single, the only reason I carry so many is because I have torn up chains and had to buy a new set, and also even though Colo. doesn't require it, there are some roads where I will contemplate putting a drag chain on.

 

chain boards are simple, you put them on the ground ahead of/or behind (depending on the axle) that you want to chain. Slowly pull up on them, you have to "feel" where your tires are. Put the chain over the top of the tire, similar to chaining with everything on the ground, have enough slack to run the chain under the tire that is off the ground, pull it tight, hook the ends together, tighten the cam tensioners, install bungies, back/pull off chain boards, stow chain boards and go.

My chain boards are bungied to my cat walk just behind my pogo stick, they've been there for 8 yrs without incident. Usually, every 2 yrs I have to make new ones because either the old one's broke, someone stole them, or they got used for something else and accidently left behind.

 

Yes. Use the power divider. And if you have diff locks, use them too. Butt if you get into a slippery corner, turn off the diff locks and leave the power divider in until you've completed the turn.

The diff locks act like your 4 X 4 in Low range....all wheels are under traction at all times.

 

Oh hell, don't get me started on that one. Watched a UPS driver do that last winter, he only had one three-railer. It was funny.

 

Our triple rail chains also have a center hook, how do you that one up when on a board??? The method in the video shows the center rail tied 1st, then the inside followed by the outside.