Why spin your tires in the snow?

It was like 3 weeks ago on Tuesday night that 58 was shut down. Lots of AG trucks were spun out, 4 wheelers all over the place. 58 was shut down from bakersfield to Mojave for almost 12 hrs.

As to why you wouldn't carry chains in winter is up for debate. To each their own I suppose. I normally run up 5 and 80 up over Donner so carrying and throwing chains is no big deal to me. Only takes 15 or so mins and I'm back on the road. For me, I see it as being prepared. Plus I don't have to sit there waiting on a plow truck to come save me.

 

Most guys I know will put a small folding shovel under the bunk or maybe strap one to the deck plate or exhaust bracket. I carry a 30' 5/16 chain to either pull with or to put under the tires to give a little bite to get unstuck. If you put it in a small cheap pail it won't take up much room and keep it tidy. I sometimes carry sand/salt but usually can find some unfrozen dirt/whatever if you have too. Nothing worse than screwing around for 1/2 hour when you can throw a chain under the tires and drive out in 30 sec.

 

Kind of in line with your question. Why do drivers think that when their trailer brakes are completely frozen, they can somehow drag the trailer far enough to break the wheels free? Why are they even using the trailer brakes when it's crazy cold outside? I went up to the driver and showed him where the ice was all inside of his brakes. He kind of wanted me to chip the ice off for him, lol. I was helping show him (i actually got under the trailer and showed him all the ice and snow) but that was it after a full shift driving through a blizzard. I woke up in the afternoon and he was still in the rest area just on the other side of my truck. Apparently he had been dragging the trailer around in circles until there were flat spots on the tires. When I mentioned it, he said it was like that when he picked it up... Uh huh. Some people just can't be helped. I've also asked a guy spinning his tires if he needed to borrow some chains (same company as me). He said no, I'm almost out... He was there before and after I walked a half mile to get food at Walmart. Some people won't be helped.