Tire Chains

Surfing around YouTube channels regarding tire chains I see a glaring omission. Tire pressure.

I grew up driving on the Western Slope of Colorado and have been, over the years, in many situations requiring tire chains. What I see lacking on the YouTube channels showing various traction aids is tire air pressure being discussed.

What follows is the Frank the Tank guide to using tire chains. First, year around have a cigarette lighter powered air compressor. Should be obvious. Slow leak in your tire? Stop as often as needed to reinflate until you can get to a repair facility. Better than walking out of some remote area or breaking down in the ghetto.

Before installing tire chains, let some air out of the tires. How much? Not critical but if you must have a number. 5-10 psi. Put on the chains as tight as you can, move one or two rotations of the tires, then reinflate with your air compressor. This takes all the slack out of the chains and reduces the chances of links breaking.

Chains, cables, or whatever? I prefer chains but have, and have used cables. Cables are better if you need to get across Wyoming on I-80. Chains when things are really nasty. I’ve no experience with “socks” and wouldn’t trust strap on items to do more than get out of a parking lot. Just my opinion, YMMV.

Happy motoring! 

Tire Chains

Winter is upon us which means slipping and sliding down the road. Good tires and four wheel/all wheel drive may be all you will need.  There may be an occasion when you need traction chains. There is a certain social stigma for true mountain people chaining up - right up there with having to grab a saddle horn - but a man has to do what a man has to do (or a woman).

First, have right and proper chains. In  my experience  cable chains are crap. Maybe good for a couple of miles until they come off,  and useless in mud.  Along with chains have some means of inflating tires if you are not close to a gas station with an air hose.

Let out some air. If you have a tire pressure gauge let out about 5 lbs. Put your chains on the DRIVE wheels (you do know if your vehicle is front or rear wheel drive, don't you) hand tight. Now add 5 to 10 lbs of air. It will not hurt your tires to slightly over inflate them. This will help keep the chains tight. Loose chains can break and give you a custom body look.

Be prepared to turn off your traction control if so equipped. Traction control works by detecting wheel spin and applying momentary braking to the spinning wheel. A steep driveway, a 10 - 20 mph uphill curve  and mud in general may cause enough slippage by each drive wheel to cause you to bog down from the braking. In mud, traction control will eventually cause you to bog down.

Do I know what I'm talking about? Probably not; only had an operators license for 54 years.

Of course, if you live in the South and never leave hard surfaced roads, this is useless advice.

THIS is a CADILLAC

We were swapping stories at the early morning senior coffee McDonalds meeting.

The topic was winter driving and inept and ignorant drivers. Everyone at the table was, of course, a total professional. My contribution.

Prior to Interstate 70, going west from Denver you had two choices, US 6 or US 40. They merged from just East of Idaho Springs to just West of Downeville where they split. Drivers could then choose 11,990 foot Loveland Pass US 6 or 11,307 foot Berthoud Pass US 40.

Downeville had a large and prosperous gas station with a large service shop and wrecker service. Many drivers would stop there and have their tire chains installed. The workers would put the vehicle on lifts making installation easier and faster.

One winter evening in 1968, I stopped in Downeville for coffee, before going West over Berthoud Pass, and noticed a shinny black Eldorado up on a lift. The mechanic was putting chains on the rear tires. The owner was closely watching.

Being a helpful sort of smart ass, I pointed out the Eldorado was front wheel drive.

“Young man”, said the owner, “THIS is a CADILLAC!” Behind the owner, I could see the mechanic give a slight shrug. “Oh,” I said and kept on walking, leaving the damn fool on his own.

Advice for those who have never used tire chains. If you have access to an air hose, or a station with one is nearby, let some air out of your tires. Put on the chains as tight as you can by hand then air up the tires.

Oh, and know which of your wheels are powered!