Forced to drive unsafe equipment

I agree that in black ice, the thread may not be as crucial as super smooth driving. As for snow, I totally disagree. Deep threads will give you substantially better traction (especially when you have a lot of weight in the nose of your trailer pushing everything down).

By comparison, brand new combat boots will have way better traction than flip flops.

 

How were you forced? Did someone hold a gun to your head? Did they kidnap your child and threaten their life? Implant you with an explosive that would go off if you moved a certain distance away from the vehicle? Enquiring minds want to know.

 

He is coerced to operate equipment that he doesn't feel is safe on winter roadways. Legally speaking he has no leg to stand on and his company could issue disciplinary measures against the OP that could lead to termination.

Personally, if the lowest point on any part of the tire is 4/32, I would feel safe with it. But people have different comfort levels when it comes to driving on winter roads. If you don't feel comfortable with your equipment (street legal or not) it can really shatter a person's confidence behind the wheel.

It creates unnecessary stress on the driver. I am surprised that his company won't let him swap out trucks since they seem to extra ones sitting idle.

 

Driven the last 4 years exclusively in Montana with all kinds of tread depth. Only had to chain up one time for snow. Only because it was mandatory.

 

Yeah, same here. Going into my fifth year of driving in Montana. First couple years I did linehaul into Idaho, Utah, and Washington. Last couple years was exclusively in Montana. Alot of back road driving. Good thread helps alot. Where about are you running out of?

 

Just refuse call DOT.

 

Call dot for what? Tires are legal.

 

If there really is other equipment available, I would at least ask why, specifically, you can't take one of the other units.

 

If the tires are legal the you have no complaint, 4/32 is a lot of tread I've run them down to slicks then sold them at the drag strip for racing!

 

Not all tires are created equal. Your traction in bad weather can depend greatly on the tread pattern. I've run the on on the left down to minimum and had few problems. I've run the one on the right to minimum, and I might as well been driving racing slicks.