Tire chains type to carry on the truck?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by 4wayflashers, Feb 2, 2022.

  1. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    They are legal in all of the western states, those are the only places I researched and used them. After having them for a year I would never buy them with my own money. They are too delicate and they fly off the tires if they are not installed exactly centered on the tire or if you drive over 20 mph.

    My boss spent $600 on a set that were used once, became shredded and then were replaced for another $600 after one trip.

    In CA if chains are required you are required to put tire socks on 4 drives, even if CA is saying only 2 drives for those with steel chains.
     
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  3. bumper Jack

    bumper Jack Heavy Load Member

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    Weather pay? It was 38 and dry on the highway. Just had to spend 15 minutes to sling iron to get to it. I was home in 4 hours.

    Guess I should have waited for the inch of ice to melt at the bottom of the hill in the truckstop… because that’s safety.
     
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  4. bumper Jack

    bumper Jack Heavy Load Member

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    I heard they work good in snow, but basically disintegrate on contact with pavement. I don’t think I would ever try them unless they were free.
     
  5. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    That's my experience. Great in snow, but West is usually a mix of rain, snow, ice due to altitude changes over a few miles.
     
  6. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    With socks, if you spin a wheel, your socks are gone. They are either thrown off the tire into the road/shoulder. Or, they are wrapped around the hub. You can put them on and throw them away before you leave the truckstop.
     
  7. striker

    striker Road Train Member

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    So you'd sit there until the customer got pissed and called the cops, because you're now trespassing, the cops will then call a heavy wrecker, on your dime, to tow you 500', I can tell you from past exp., 23 yrs ago, that was $600, today, I suspect it's closer to $1,000.
     
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  8. striker

    striker Road Train Member

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    The best, but also come with a big price tag, are Pewag, made in Colorado, they are listed as a "snow chain", regardless, I carry three sets plus a mismatched spare just in case, 20 bungees (make sure you carry the correct size). There are also "ice chains", some rigging and cable companies sell them, they are not street legal, as they have a biting edge to them, they are listed as off-road use only, I know a few companies that carry them, just don't let the highway dept. catch you with them on pavement.
     
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  9. REO6205

    REO6205 Road Train Member

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    Exactly right. Pewag are the best chains. We've tried all the cheap junk and Pewags last better than any of them.
    We run the square cross link but I don't really see a lot of difference between them and round link.
     
    Last edited: Feb 3, 2022
  10. bentstrider83

    bentstrider83 Road Train Member

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    Usually the company shop has chains available. I'd grab some from them before spending my own money on any.
     
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  11. Mototom

    Mototom Road Train Member

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    Cheater chains my man cheater chains.
     
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