CHAINING...are you ready?

Knowing Otter....He probably was shooting the Sheyat with Mr. DOT....

 

He might have been educating the officer on the fallacy of multiple portions of FMCSR as well as DOT regulations.

 

No Doubt.....

 

Wait, you were going 55+ with chains on? Is it just another trucker misconception that you can't or shouldn't go any faster than 25 or 30?

 

Eh, if it were my truck I'd probably take this stance. I see guys with fancy flattop Pete's pulling spread axle reefers with the never-used jewelry hung neatly on the trailer hooks to satisfy carry laws. You assume these guys do everything they can to keep their shiny trucks out of the crap and frankly I don't blame them. Chains can eff stuff up pretty good if they snap and come off wrong too.

Now the company I work for is out of Montana so we're expected to know how to throw iron and push on through under safe circumstances.

 

Thanks. Some good tips there.

 

Much appreciated, that was more informative then the live demo I got last summer.

 

Better keep it below 25 if you want to have a truck at the end of the experience.

 

Yep, nothing like having a nice shiny truck, with splash-guards and mudflaps that look like they've been chewed on by a grizzly bear.

 

Yes...in CA, OR, and WA...there is a 25 mph speed limit...somewhat enforced (CA, OR, WA will allow up to 35 given the "perfect" conditions to warrant the speed) the other states use a "recommendation decision" on what the "safe speed" will be.

Up in the Dakotas, and Eastern Montana, temps get so cold that the rubber actually freezes to the snow pack...therefore allowing good steer traction. And with an optimum snow pack on the highway (in the aforementioned trip) we had 6+ inches of packed snow(frozen) on the road surface. We all maintained a good distance between each truck, and constant communication chatter. If another vehicle came into the mix...we obviously slowed and made a safe pass.

Keep in mind...every trip has a "different factor" to it, no two trips will be alike. Just like safety and common sense...each scenario offers a completely different set of circumstances to deal with and react to accordingly. Would I do it again? Yes, given a similar scenario, a group of experienced drivers following the same guidelines of distance and communication, and given the "good load" in regards to weight and balance of the load.

Not in CA, OR, or WA...the other drivers (4 wheelers)....well there are far too many of them...and we all know they don't really know what they are doing when it comes to snow!