Tire chains

Lurchgs, I like that idea really well, but if I'm understanding your directions correctly, that won't work on the double wide drive chains or if you drive with super-single.

 

You would be insane to be driving in chain up areas on super singles anyhow...

 

I've seen guys chain up super singles. I don't see what the big deal would be. I never did understand why people were afraid to chain up. It's a pain in the you know what but frankly I find it scarier when everybody is not on chains and flying at 50mph on icy snowy road. I don't think I've ever come across a truck in the ditch with chains on and I think the reason is because everybody's going so slow. Normally the traffics so slow that if you did mess up and end up in a ditch or in a snowbank, that you probably wouldn't get hurt, just mess up the trucks a little and have to pay a wrecker to pull you out. Not that, that is good either but better then totaling out a truck and getting hurt or killing someone else like when everybody is flying down the road at 50mph plus.

 

Its not that I am scared to chainup..I enjoy driving in condition like that.. The thing about Super singles are that it ends up pushing snow when it get deep.. just like a plow, the tire then tries to ride on top of that snow causing traction loss (even with chains on).. I have drove on both and prefer tandems over super singles any day...

 

That makes sense, but like I said I've seen guys chain up super-singles and also in bumper high deep snow and did just fine. However I agree with you that I think tandems would do better because you also have the chain across the middle that is providing some extra bite. I've always thought the cons were higher then the pros in regards to super singles. I've never driven on super singles but I know they are more likely to hydroplane for the very same reason you mentioned earlier plus you only have 4 sidewall instead of 8 sidewall so prevent lateral sway.

 

oh, it works fine on three-railers, since the block under the one tire lifts both.

Can't speak to the super singles for sure, but don't see why it wouldn't work. Getting the tire off the ground is the important bit, after all. If 4 inches wide is narrow enough that the tire deforms around it, simply using joined 2X6 or 2X8s should work instead.

 

There are some states where you are not allowed to use chains at all. Michigan is one of them. I'm not sure about Wisconsin, but I don't think they are allowed here either. Chaining up serves a purpose, but should not be relied upon just to get a load delivered. Chaining up to get to someplace safe to park I understand, but to do it just to deliver a load is nuts.

There are so many times here where I live where the officials are recommending that people stay off the roads, yet people insist on being idiots and getting out there anyway. If the road conditions are listed as 'hazardous' just park it and let the crap end and let the road crews get things cleaned up. Nothing but a true emergency is worth the risk of being out there on crappy roads.

 

Me too. But on a tanker super singles are far more safer than any other set up if they are spec'd from the beginning.

 

I'd have to disagree with you lilbit, they have been useing chains and tire studs for many years it works with pretty good success. I wouldn't be surprised at all if statistics showed more wrecks and fatalities going across mountian passes on dry summer days then in the winter when they have the chain laws in effect.

 

You're probably right about the summer vs winter bit, as people are more lax or complacent when road conditions are good.

If you regularly run the mountains, then chaining up and rolling is probably no big deal. Not all drivers are use to that kind of driving, and those drivers are more likely to have problems. I saw real mountain passes on exactly two trips back when I drove, both during good weather. I would have opted to sit out the crap weather, as I knew I did not have the experience to go there had I been faced with it. Drivers do need to know that if they are not comfortable chaining up and rolling, they don't have to do it. Know your limits, know your experience and operate accordingly.

I've spent a lot of time over the years on the roads in a big truck and a car (more in a car), and have seen plenty of responsible drivers that slow down when conditions start to suck, and I have seen plenty that aparently think "It's only a little bit of snow, no big deal" and go highballin along. Sooner or later, you see that driver that was highballin (car or big rig) in the ditch. It's usually not pretty either.

Knowing your limits, knowing your experience, and acting according to those limits and experience is the key to staying safe during winter driving. You obviously have the experience to roll through most anything, and that is a good thing. You also obviously know your limits.