Experience with alternative traction devices

ExOTR · Dec 12, 2016

I used autosocks about 5 years ago, but they shred up pretty quick. We carried them to save weight and still be legal for chain laws, but still would buy chains If we had to. They were great for getting moving quick if you ended up stuck at an intersection, or managed to get stuck on speed bump.(actually happened to me)

JReding · Dec 12, 2016

striker said: ↑

Western Distribution gives drivers the option to use Autosocks, a few have. They do work, BUT, you have to be in snow/ice with them, not wet or dry. In wet condition, 10 mph, on dry conditions, pull over and remove or they will disintegrate in a short while. Spoke with a one of their drivers a few years back that was running them. She said in snow/deep snow they worked, and worked well. On ice, they were so/so, but you had to watch your speed. As soon as the road turned to slush or just wet, you had to stay under 10 mph or they would tear themselves apart.
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Two of our drivers discovered first hand what happens in sloppier stuff...the slush actually collects in the Autosocks, and eventually helps push them off by centrifugal force. Also, it sounds like when you're removing them, if you're not quick about it, by the time you get to the last one, it can actually freeze to the ground.

BUMBACLADWAR · Dec 13, 2016

x1Heavy said: ↑

Those little things are cute. But are not good. If you want proper traction vs old man winter, you buy proper chain, Duals, singles etc and learn the chain laws regarding how many to carry plus spares and where and how to mount them on a 18 wheeler.

Relying on little devices like you speak of is a poor subistute. It's crappy frankly. If they were all that everyone would have them on. Cities tend to put em on fire trucks and buses because they don't know any better and don't get more than a few inches of snow for it to matter much. Then they wonder why it fails utterly in 2 feet of snow. Nothing beats a proper set of chains and training to put em on correctly.

If you have them on and you still spin your wheels chain and all on ice... why are you even out there? Smarter to stay put and wait for the storm to pass and the roads to clear. Decades ago we knew bad weather was coming out way near DC when Atlanta Buses are sliding sidways downhill in their streets as they struggle futile against winter there.
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I had studded snow tires on my 72 Buick Electra in Missouri.They seemed to always work.

BUMBACLADWAR · Dec 13, 2016

loudtom said: ↑

My experience is only watching people drive with them. They're usually going about 5 mph, and it makes me wonder if they'd be better of just taking 8 hours off and resuming the trip later at 45mph or so.
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One time it took me 8 hours to go 325 miles from Olympia to Spokane.Thought the same thing,but its LTL.

JReding · Dec 14, 2016

Ridgeline said: ↑

Compliant in all the states with chain laws.

The driver use them all the time, no limits on the use.
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My coworker and I were seeking information from our state regarding which types of automatic chains had been approved. I contacted the state, this is the response I received this afternoon:

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