Driving on snowy roads is never easy, regardless of the size of the vehicle. However, driving on snowy roads without the proper truck tire chains can be life-threatening. The good news is that you don’t need to take your semi-truck to a garage to do this job, but you really need to know what you’re doing for your safety.
That time of the year is here again, which means it’s time to defrost your knowledge about semi truck tire chains.
Chaining Up For The Challenge
Knowing how to put chains on tires is a survival skill for truck drivers. During long winter journeys, drivers can be surprised by a blizzard at any moment. Whenever it happens, there’s no reason for panic. The first thing to do is to find a safe place for parking. It can be tricky for semi-truck drivers, given the size of their vehicles.
Luckily, truckers can count on platforms like Truck Parking Club, which help them find truck parking locations nearby. This tool is particularly useful in such conditions because you can’t put chains on your tires before finding an adequate parking spot. The next step is to lay out the chains on the ground, checking whether all tensioners are open and all hooks are facing up.
Since you need to cover the tires with those chains, it may be necessary to go under the vehicle. Spread the links evenly across the inner and outer parts for enhanced balance and grip. Use a chain tensioner to finish the job.
Safety Tips
Chains are only recommended under extreme conditions when there’s ice and snow on the road. They’ll ensure your vehicle won’t bobsled down the slope, but you’ll have to drive at very slow speeds. Indeed, the most cautious drivers won’t go faster than 30 mph while driving on tire chains.
Brakes must be used very judiciously, and wheel spin must be kept to a minimum. This is especially important in states like Colorado and Montana, where mountain passes can be treacherous.
Even experienced drivers need to stay cautious when navigating snowy conditions. It’s also advisable to stay updated about weather conditions on the path ahead so that you can prepare your truck in advance.
Tire chains are quite heavy: if you use six chains on your truck, it’ll be 1,000 pounds heavier than normal. Winter socks may be lighter than chains, but chains are still the best option if you’re driving on mountainous roads. It’s necessary to observe the truck’s clearance before deciding on the thickness of the chains.
Finding The Right Chains
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution regarding tire chains. Drivers need to observe mesh patterns and size. Notice that ladder and diamond patterns have different features. While diamond patterns improve driveability in all directions, ladder patterns are excellent for reverse driving but not so much for sideways.
It’s also important to pay attention to the material. Hardened steel chains are more expensive and more wear-resistant, but they increase road wear on wheels. Tensioning the chains is a crucial step of the process, which can be made easy by user-friendly tensioning mechanisms. Some drivers also choose steel wire instead of chains to cover the tire. This is a lightweight option, but it’s not suitable for heavy vehicles like semi-trucks.
Legal Issues
According to current laws, it’s not mandatory to chain up all tires for the winter. Indeed, chaining only one of the axles is enough to ensure road safety. Still, many drivers prefer to use four chains, or two sets, while driving a 4×4 semi-truck.
Removing the Chains
You should park your truck and remove the chains as soon as you encounter dry road conditions. Driving on tire chains over dry roads will ruin your tires pretty quickly and be dangerous. The removal process is as simple as the installation, and you will also need to get under the vehicle to finish the task.
A high-quality set of tire chains can be quite expensive, which means they should be handled with care to increase their lifespan. Even hardened materials must be cleaned after being removed. Debris, grit, salt, and dirt can damage the chains over time. The application of rust-inhibiting lubricants can make them last even longer.
Drivers must also check for damage before storing tire chains. Typically, if well-preserved, tire chains can last up to 2,000 miles. Durability may also depend on the material quality, using the right chains, and never driving at high speeds.
Be Prepared for Any Season
Proper preparation is key to safe driving, whether chaining up in the snowy mountains or navigating clear highways. Maintaining your tire chains and properly using them can make the difference between a successful run and a dangerous situation.
Come snow, rain, or shine, finding safe and accessible parking shouldn’t add to your worries. Truck Parking Club ensures you’ll have a secure spot waiting for you, whatever the weather brings. Our network of parking locations means you’ll always have a safe place to chain up or down when conditions demand it.
Ready to take the stress out of parking in any weather?
The information published herein is for general informational purposes only. Truck Parking Club does not make any representations or warranties about the completeness, reliability, legality, and accuracy of this information. Any reliance placed on such material is strictly at the user’s own risk. Truck Parking Club shall not be responsible for any losses or damages incurred in connection with the information published herein