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1. Do not exceed 30 mph while using chains.
2. Never use tire chain for towing purposes.
3.
If using traditional link chain, always inspect each chain carefully to
remove
any
tangles or twists prior to installation. Breakage in link chains are
caused
by driving on twisted links, driving at speeds greater than 30 mph
for
a prolonged period, and extended driving on dry pavement.
4. Carry rubber adjusters to keep chains snug to tight.
5. Do not deflate tire to install tire chains.
6. Pull off highway to a safe place to install or remove chains.
7.
Make sure your tire chains are properly sized. Proper
fit
is the key to performance.
8.
Apply as tightly as possible by hand, drive one-quarter of
a
mile, stop and check chains.
9.
Always pre-fit your traction products to your vehicle before they are
actually
needed.
While winter traction products are uniform in size, tires are not. They
vary
in size by manufacturer, age, tread and type. Snow tires may require a
larger
traction product than a like-sized highway tire.
After
use, always rinse your tire chains and spray them with an
all-purpose
lubricant, such as WD-40, before storing them. This will help
retard
rust and insure a longer product life.
Note:
Carrying chains can add a lot of weight. Chains for an average
tire
weighs approximately 51 lbs. per pair for singles and 92 lbs.
per
pair for duals. The cables weigh approximately 18lbs. per pair
for
singles and 35lbs. per pair for dual triples.
On
any semi-trailer only one set of chains is required
regardless
of number of axles. Chains on trailers may be staggered
front
and back. Chains are not required on tag axle. Some dual trailer
configurations
may be restricted from moving into a snow area when
chains
are required.
Colorado
Colorado's
chain laws apply to every state highway, federal highway
and
interstate. The DOT says when the law is in effect, signs will be
place
along roadways indicating which vehicles must chain up.
Truckers
can remove chains where bare pavement is encountered
on
a descending grade. Trucks must chain four wheels.
Dual
tire chains are an acceptable choice, but tire cables are
not
allowed. No chains are required on trailers, but ,Colorado
will
be monitoring the effectiveness of tire cables on trailer tires. Auto
transporters
must comply to the full extent of the chain laws.
Colorado
has 2 levels of law for commercial vehicles. Level one
requires
the use of snow tires or traction devices such as chains or
cable
chains on all single axle combination commercial vehicles.
When
level two is in effect, chains are required for all commercial
trucks.
Level two may be at any time snow covers the
entire
surface of the roadway.
Michigan
Michigan
has no chain law requirement. It's illegal for trucks
to
use chains in Michigan. According to MDOT, trucks with chains do
service
centers that update winter road conditions by phone. The
main
number for these is (517) 373-1620. Road info is also available
through
AAA. Their number is (800) 411-4823.
Minnesota
Minnesota
has no law on the books requiring trucks to
carry
chains.
Nevada
Nevada
requires you to carry chains for at least two wheels of a drive
axle
and two braking wheels of a trailer. The ph. #: (775)
793-1313
for information on all northern Nevada roads.
Oregon
Oregon's
chain law is specific and applies to all highways throughout
the
state. The law states that in addition to chaining the drive axle,
tractors
with one trailer must have chains on four tires of the primary
drive
axle, and if pulling two trailers, chains must be on four tires of
the
primary drive axle. When equipped with a secondary drive axle,
chain
two tires of the secondary drive axle.
Questions
about chain laws and current regulations
Call
the Oregon DOT
(Ashland,
OR) (541) 482-4344 or the Salem office at (503) 986-3005.
Utah
Utah
has no specific law stating trucks must carry chains, but the
office
of the Utah Highway Patrol would like to see truckers carry
chains
between Nov. 1 and Mar. 31.
Washington
The
Washington chain laws are specific and complicated. The
numbers
of chains truckers are required to carry depend on the
number
of drive axles. WADOT suggests giving Motor Carrier
Services
a call at (800) 562-6902 about their
chain
up requirements. trucks must carry tire chains from Nov. 1 to Apr.1
on
certain routes.
Wyoming
Wyoming's
law states that all vehicles that encounter
slippery
conditions may be required to be equipped with chains or
adequate
snow tires. The Wyoming highway patrol posts signs to this
effect.
In
other states:
Arizona
cites Part 393 of the Federal Regs: Tire chains of
reasonable
size may be used when snow, ice or other conditions
causing
skidding exist.
Idaho has no specific chain laws.
Iowa has no chain laws.
North Dakota has no chain laws.
Wisconsin
has no chain requirement, and do
allow
trucks to use them in slippery conditions.