Tire chains are used to provide better traction and steering
control in snow and icy conditions. Sometimes they are used for driving over
soft ground such as in a farm field, or in mud.
Tire chains can be easy to install, but it does take a little
bit of practice. The most important things to remember are:
1. Tire chains are made by different manufactures
and do not all use the same types of fasteners or tighteners, so always refer
to the instructions that came with your chains for specific information on how
to install them.
2.
Always install your tire chains before you
encounter rough conditions or as you are coming up on them, don’t wait until
you’re stuck. Find a safe place to pull over where you have room to work.
3.
Make sure you install the chains with the V-bars
or cleats so they contact the road surface. The video referenced below mentions
the v-bars, but they are difficult to see, so I have included a picture to
clarify what the V-bars or cleats look like.
Image copy right by etrailer.com
https://www.etrailer.com/Tire-Chains/Titan-Chain/TC2828CAM.html
4.
Maximum speed for driving with chains with is 30
mph.
5.
Take the chains off as soon as you can once they
are no longer needed. Driving with chains on hard/dry road surfaces can damage
the chains and your tires.
This is the best video I’ve come across on installing tire
chains. It was produced by TransBC (Ministry of Transportation British Columbia)
Hope this was helpful, and enjoy your ski trip!
I went snowboarding and skiing up in Durango, Colorado. The roads up there are very narrow, and wind around the mountains - often with no guard rails. My Dad and older brother had a near fatal accident driving to Purgatory resort. They almost slid off the cliff while driving in our Chevy Suburban. Needless to say, we didn't go anywhere up the mountains without snow chains after that.
ReplyDeleteHaving lived in Southern California and Las Vegas, I have never used chains while driving but this post was super useful to know. I did once go snowboarding at Big Bear and coming down the mountain was scary. We saw so many small skid accidents because cars were coming up during the mountain while it was snowing.
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