Snow Chains Questions

How many axles on your truck? Chk the DOT chain regs online. You can run 30-35 mph in deep snow and a tight chain. Smooth bores are not actually great in slick conditions. Sloshing you know. There are places you want to mash on your gas and other places easy does it. NOT to slow on the supers! You'll slide into bottom of the corner. I've never been a trucker but that's what the videos on YouTube said.

 

You need to consider "Maximum Chain Control Rules" ...

Also, note in below pdf the various "red" gotchas that they can impose, at will.

I think California is the most restrictive at maximum ...
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/ChainGuidelines.pdf

NOTE: For Super-Singles trucks - Maximum chain control = All 4 drive wheels

 

25-30 MPH is the general accepted max speed to reduce damage. But go up as fast as you safely can, within reason. Try to avoid unnecessary slowing on the uphill trip, just for the sake of slowing down. Even with chains, if it's steep enough and deep/slick enough, slowing too much or stopping can be disastrous, but do what you have to do.

Drive what conditions allow and what you're comfortable with. Don't pay attention to operating in a particular "gear". Generally if you have to chain to go up, you will be expected to leave them on for the trip down the other side to the "bottom". (Usually not room at the top to remove them even if you wanted to)

Tankers have their own inherent problems. Liquid shifts to the back of the trailer when going up an incline, this removes weight from the drives and lessens traction somewhat. With loaded tanks on slick roads, "steady momentum" is even more critical to try and maintain.

 

You Sh**! Good one.

 

Washington, Oregon and California. Count tires chained whether it is doubles or singles doesn't matter.

 

Yeah, it used to until a few million Californians moved to Colorado.

 

Washington you need 5 to comply plus have 2 spares. Montana requires you to chain all drive wheels so that makes 8 singles or 4 each 3 rails. I don't go to California so that does not affect me. On my last job we carried 2 sets of 3 rail chains and 2 sets of singles. We could chain up all drive tires along with 2 trailer tires and if needed the steer tires.

Yes you want to travel 25 mph with chains. They do not make you immune to load shifts with the tanker.