Chaining Up

Can you explain how you got experience running with chains? I hope you never chained up and ran if you'd never done it before!

 

Wow. I didn't know there was such a thing as a PhD in Condensention.

 

Yes actually Lumberman I learned to chain before I even had my license! Was doing a logging gig with family in Maine and New Hampshire and ran chains 24/7 because most of the roads were just newly made dirt trails solidified by ice. I was running heavy equipment and would also shuttle trailers back and forth to the main roads to be picked up. Then in 96' when I got my CDL I ran for a floral company out to MN and then across through to Portland and back to Florida. Flowers are very time sensitive and there wasn't a trip that went without chaining at some point in time. I have also had to chain many times when we were hauling horses. This was another one of those loads that absolutely could not sit on the side of the road.

If I don't have to though I don't do it. Most of the time it takes no time at all to clear roads and I would rather wait in a nice warm cab with a hot cup of coffee then playing in the ice and snow.

Is this what you are asking Lumberman or do you need me to tell you how to physically put them on? Have you chained up before? If not I recommend you practicing. It will be a lot easier once you have to do it if you already know how.

 

I was pointing out that you HAVE to have had a first time doing it if you do it at all. The fact that you have put chains on violates your advice of 'don't do it if you haven't done it' don't ya think?

Yes, I do chain up regularly, I've been running the western 11 for 5 years and the only reason I shut down is if I can't see, I don't have the time on my logs to chain, or the road is closed. For the last 3 years I've been running between Seattle/Portland and Billings and have yet shut down because of some silly snow.

A tip for the newbs: Carry a flat blade shovel on the truck so you can dig out the snow around your tires and stay dry while chaining.

 

So if you are recommending newbies dont chain because of their lack of experience then how are they supposed to get experience? You say no load is worth risking putting it in the ditch or risking the lives of others so I am assuming flowers and horses are the exception. I wont chain either unless I have to but...........I also would not sit on the side of the road or the bottom of a hill with the thought that "Most of the time it takes no time at all to clear roads" because that is not always the case.

 

If you can't throw Iron in 5 minutes you need to practice more. Hauling logs you can chain up 5-6 times a day depending on the haul. Here's a tip: Chain up on the gravel before you hit the mud. Always use 3 railers on the drivers,singles are a waste of time except for a drag. Sometimes you have to double chain a tire. Then you know your trucking.

 

Wow, I really have to break it down for some to understand. I didn't say "never chain up". If you are inexperienced and aren't comfortable then park it! Use your own judgement according to your experience. There are times when you will drive over mountains with chains. There will be times where you just drive a short distance with chains. There will be times where it isn't worth it to throw chains. There will be times where you are stuck and have to chain to get out.

Overall if its a really bad situation or if it isn't going to take long for them to clear the roads, then no, its not worth throwing chains if you are inexperienced. If you are a chain pro, go for it! It won't take you long and you'll be on your way.

 

Striker, you know how to drive in snow and ice, your company expects you to drive in snow and ice, yada yada yada...we get it..you're a super trucker. You're also the self-appointed Colorado newbie beat down, intimidate master, blah blah blah.

Your insistence is obvious that you disdain anyone not at "your" skill(?) level. Get over yourself.

What Chompi, myself and others are trying to get through to these new drivers is that no, they don't have to chain and drive in these conditions if they are uncomfortable. We keep trying to get them to understand that they need to evaluate their skill sets, AND their employers policy....which you keep trying to ridicule them into driving against, and endangering them, the public and their driving record.

Yes, they may have to deal with a lot of time locked up in a truck stop to wait out these things...etc.. but when they are ready, or tired of waiting, they will come to the point that they will want to learn, do and drive, and....get this... maybe with their companies blessing...chain up and drive in these conditions. What we try to get them to understand, is that they as new drivers, have the option, if unsure and uncomfortable and unskilled, to be able to know it's okay NOT to endanger themselves. Most companies with any brains (obviously not from Colorado) do not want a green driver pushing themselves and their loads over a cliff.

Some company's have the policy, in spite of your excessive amount of bravado and disdain, that chains are for show and tell only. Drive with chains, and you're fired. I worked for a company that had this policy. So here's where the new driver needs support from "experienced" drivers that don't pressure them, until they know their options. Whether they will get fired for driving with chains, or fired for not driving with chains, and the consequences of accidents in the weather. That regardless of the "act of God" nature of weather, that they will be held accountable for any accidents because they were driving in weather and road conditions that someone else (obviously not from Colorado) would deem preventable because any "normal" person would know that weather and road conditions were unsafe.

These are companies, not O/O, and obviously not Colorado companies...but guess what there are companies other than those based in Colorado....so please shut down your truck of tirades on a newbie thread that should reassure and empower a newbie, rather than ridicule them for not being "striker man enough". Get over yourself..and go play in the "Experienced Driver" thread where they may come to worship your he man status.

I hope I've explained this in as clear language as possible, as why you really need to get over yourself in this thread area, and stop spouting your take like it's the only one true ego maniacal way to see things. Thank you if you do, and have a nice day.

 

Thanks Caxpt, I figured at least one person would understand what I was saying.

Also wanted to point out that this thread is located in the "questions for new drivers" section of the forum. Were it to be located in the "supertrucker boasting" section I might possibly understand the confusion. We all get it, you know how to chain up and are really proud of the fact! Maybe somewhere in among your chain boasting skills you could possibly throw in a few tips or how to's for the new guys who will actually benefit from this thread. Maybe since you drivers are such highly skilled ice road truckers you could maybe let the new guys know the difference of just chaining to get through or chaining for the long haul in to the serious terrain. How bout some tips on how to keep your chains from flying off and tearing up your truck or ripping off airlines and such.

We could also talk about the number of trucks that we see jack-knifed, flipped or in the ditch that we drive by after the roads have been cleared and it safe for travel and maybe what those drivers do for work now.

This is just a thought since maybe we could keep the interest of the new drivers who are reading and trying to learn from this thread.