Hanging Tire Chains

How many times have you heard a driver say the following statement:

"I got one rule about chains. If the weather is that bad to require chains, then I don't need to be out there."

 

I was stuck behind a heavy haul a few months back WB US 26 in Wyo., two pilots ahead and two pilots behind. Listening to the newbie behind me in Werner crying about going 15 mph (that heavy hual had 15 axles as well and was 18' wide) on a 6%.

Finally one of the pilot cars (or so we thought) got tired of his whining and told that he could pass anytime he wanted to, but we weren't going to help him and he was on his own. He drifted into oncoming a traffic several times, then without signalling popped out to pass. Well, the second 4 wheeler behind him turned out to be a Wyo. trooper in an unmarked, as soon as Werner popped out, the trooper hit his lights and pulled him over.

I would love to have been a fly on the wall for that one.

 

And my opinion, then stay home from Sept. 15th til May 15th or stay in So. Cal., So. Texas, or Fla.

 

Yeah, they do look a little too clean

 

They're lease trucks. You'll see gold, green, purple, red and silver, too. I guess somebody got tired of seeing only blue and white, so we're getting all colors in.

*end of hijack*

 

the only problem with all those different colors, sometimes makes it hard to tell a real truck from a Swift truck

 

Sorry I really don't mean to hijack again but this reminded me of one. I think it was 3 summers ago I was hauling a pump up rabbit ears on 40 in colorado just left steamboat after sitting at the bottom waiting for traffic to clear as the pass was under construction. Anyway, I was in third gear grinding away at this hill about halfway up and this truck crosses the cones and passes me of course my pilots commented on it but then came a strange voice over the air.
Voice: I think that truck that just passed that big load needs to stop at the top of the hill.
Trucker: And what if I don't?
Voice: Driver now you have 2 options either you stop at the top of the hill and we have a short talk about etiquette in construction zones or I come chase u down with my lights on and we'll have a real long chat about that and every other little thing wrong with your truck.
The rude guy was stopped in the wide spot at the top of the hill when I pulled over to let traffic around and moments later a colorado DOT trooper pulled in and proceeded to tell me as soon as traffic cleated to carry on and have a good day and then went and had his talk with the other guy my pilots and I couldn't believe that just happened and laughed about it all the way to walden.

Once again sorry for the hijack

 

The correct way to gather and hang chains on chain racks is very simple....

Grab the first cross link (either end) skip two cross links, grab the 3rd, repeat skipping two grab 3rd...3-3rds then skip one cross grab, skip the next cross grab the last cross link. the single chain unit is neat, all even on the bottom, no mess, no fuss...now hang on the hook.

When you go to use the chain the next time...slip your hand between the hook and chain, lift off hook, walk the chain to the tire it will be applied to, set the chain down, find an end and pull along ground...it will unravel just like a rope, not tangled...straighten out, and drape!

I am in the process of making a chaining video, but I have found it needs to be in segments, as the entire process is lengthy (22 minutes) and 3-5 minute segments retains viewers attention. soon to be released on TTR, with Admin's editing help.

 

In my own experience, if I skip two cross chains rather than just one and go every other, the chains near.y drag on the ground.

There really is no single "correct" way as long as you have a neat final product and you can get them off ready for use when you need them. But I'll be interested in looking at that video too.