States can leave truckers guessing
when it comes to traction devices

By Don and Debbe Morrow
OOIDA member contributors

There are about as many chain laws as there are states that expect commercial drivers to use chains. Use the truck outline below to match up what tires require chains in each state.

CALIFORNIA
Tire traction devices are devices or mechanisms capable of improving vehicle traction, braking and cornering ability on snow or ice-covered surfaces.

   Drivers are notified of when to use traction devices by signs along the roadway. There are three levels of control: R1, R2 and R3. Any of these conditions mean the same thing for a truck driver - stop until conditions improve, or install your traction devices. Maximum speed limit when chains are required is 25 mph. Trucks with cable chains are legal in California. However, these trucks may be restricted at times, due to local conditions. Tires requiring chains are A, B, C, D, E, H, M and P.

   The California Department of Transportation advises on Interstate 80 over Donner Summit during and just prior to chain controls going into effect, east bound trucks will be stopped at Applegate, CA, and screened to make sure they are carrying the correct amount of chains - in the worst weather, eight chains are required, so it's best to have at least that number on board.

   West bound trucks will be screened in Verdi, NV. Trucks lacking the correct amount of chains will be ordered to turn around. There is very little or no parking for trucks to be held over at these locations. It is advised to not even attempt to cross Donner Summit in the winter without having the correct amount of chains on board. While there are private contract chain installers available during storms, they do not have chains for sale. So make sure to take the correct amount of chains when leaving your terminal.

COLORADO
Colorado chain law applies to every state highway, federal highway and interstate throughout the state. When the chain law is in effect, drivers will see signs along the roadway indicating which vehicles should chain up.

   Metal chains must consist of two circular metal loops, one on each side of the tire, connected by not less than nine evenly spaced chains across the tread. Commercial vehicles having four or more drive wheels must chain four drive wheels. Dual tire chains are acceptable. Chains are not required on trailer axles.

   On its Web site, the Colorado Department of Transportation states that drivers of commercial vehicles who ignore the chain law can be fined $100 for not putting chains on when required. A driver can be fined $500 plus a $60 surcharge if the vehicle is not chained when the law is in effect and as a result blocks the highway.

   There are two levels of the chain law that will affect commercial vehicles.

Approved alternative traction devices may sometimes be used instead of chains in Colorado. These include wheel sanders (vehicle must carry enough sand to negotiate the hill), or pneumatically driven chains, which when engaged, spin under the drive wheels automatically as traction is lost.

The rules allow the use of tire cables on commercial vehicles in two approved situations:

The Colorado DOT monitors the use of cables and their effectiveness and can at any time rescind the approval of cables.

IDAHO
Idaho has no chain laws. However, there are times when chains are required. Signs will be posted "Chains required beyond this point" when the road is snow-covered or icy.

MONTANA
Chains must be used when indicated by signs. Minimum requirement: chain tires on drive wheels of one axle.

NEVADA
Nevada has no specific law for or against cable chains. Chains must be of proper size for your tires. Approved traction devices are metal, plastic or a combination thereof, and provide additional traction to the wheels or to slippery surfaces. Drivers are notified of chain up requirements by signs along the roadway: "When lights are flashing, chains or snow tires required." Chains may be necessary on northern Nevada and California mountain passes from mid-October through mid-June. Vehicles more than 10,000 pounds GVW must use chains on two drive wheels and two braking wheels of the trailer.

NEW MEXICO
It is permissible to use, upon any vehicle, tire chains of reasonable proportions designed to increase traction on ice or snow when required for safety.

OREGON
Acceptable chains are line chains, cable chains, or other devices that attach to the wheel, vehicle, or outside of the tire that are designed to augment traction. The DOT has the discretion to require the use of link chains only, rather than cable chains, when warranted. Drivers are notified of chain law status by signs along the roadway. Tires requiring traction devices are A, B, C, D, I and P (any two trailer wheels, either axle and either side) or A, D, E and H (if both axles are drive axles).

SOUTH DAKOTA
South Dakota highways may be posted restricting traffic to vehicles with chains. Notice of travel restrictions will be conspicuously signed. No requirements for placement of chains. Use of cables is not prohibited.

UTAH
Utah has no specific law that chains must be carried. However, carrying one set of chains for the drive axle is suggested from Nov. 1 through March 31. Drivers are notified of chain up requirements by signs along the roadway.

WASHINGTON
Commercial vehicles must carry chains on many Washington roads from Nov. 1 through April 1. All vehicles more than 10,000 pounds GVW must carry two extra chains. Cables are approved. Plastic chains are not approved. Drivers are notified by signs along the roadway. If signs read "approved traction tires required" or "chains required," vehicles over 10,000 pounds GVW must use chains. Tires requiring traction devices are A, B, C, D and P (one tire, either side of trailer) or A, D, E, H and P.

WYOMING
Wyoming travel may be restricted to all-wheel-drive vehicles or motor vehicles equipped with tire chains. Drivers are notified of "chain law" conditions by highway signs and local radio broadcasts. There are no specific laws that address the use of cables or the number and placement of chains.

Excerpts from "For the Long Haul" by Don and Debbe Morrow have been used for this article. Don and Debbe may be reached at info@dondepublishing.com.

Information in this column is not intended to be a comprehensive guide to all chain laws a trucker will encounter. Rather, the information in this column is designed to give readers an overview of chain laws throughout the country.

Getting savvy with the current chain laws is criticial - or you may hear some Hy-Po singing that old familiar tune

By Don and Debbe Morrow
OOIDA member contributors

Even though fall brings some welcome relief from summer’s high temperatures, we all know what comes next - winter.

And winter for truckers means one thing: You’re probably going to be throwing iron before too much longer. But throwing iron isn’t as simple as putting chains or cables on when you know you need the added traction. Throw in all the states’ different laws and things get tricky - quick.

There are several different types of chains, or approved traction devices as they are often referred to in state regulations and advisories. The two that dominate in actual usage are link chains and cables.

Most of the big carriers use cables for two very good reasons: cables are cheaper; cables are lighter weight. The drawback to using cables is they are not approved traction devices in all states.

For the purposes of this article, we will refer to both cables and chains as chains unless we specify we are discussing cables. Here are a few general suggestions that will help in dealing with chains and adverse conditions.

What does a driver need to know about chain laws for the winter of 2005-2006?

Question: How many chains do I need?
ANSWER: This varies from state to state, but California expects the most - with up to eight, depending on conditions. Remember, chains need to be the proper size for your tires and carry extras because inspectors won’t count broken ones.

Question: Are there certain times of the year that I must carry chains?
ANSWER: Washington is the only state that gives specific dates (Nov. 1 through April 1). Other states may not give dates, but if road conditions warrant chain use, you will be expected to have them available.

Question: Do I need chains or are other traction devices acceptable?
ANSWER: Link chains are universally accepted as a traction device. Cables have some limitations. Colorado requires chains only on single axle combination vehicles.

Colorado also allows a combination of chains and cables on trucks with two drive axles. Other states, such as Oregon and California, accept cables but reserve the right to require “chains only,” depending on road conditions.

Other traction devices like wheel sanders and pneumatically driven chains are acceptable in some areas but not everywhere.

Question: How am I notified when I need to use chains?
ANSWER: One method of communication is signs along the roadway. Other methods include local radio and pass boards at local truck stops. Idaho occasionally broadcasts conditions over the CB radio.

Question: Is my road speed limited when I have chains installed?
ANSWER: Yes, no more than 25 mph if the chains are tight. Go slower than 25 mph if the chains are loose. Chains will loosen up after installation. Plan on stopping shortly after installation to make adjustments.

Question: People talk about drag chains. What are they talking about?
ANSWER: Drag chains are tire chains used on the trailer tires to enhance braking and control. California, Oregon and Washington all require drag chains.

Question: Are there different levels of chain laws?
ANSWER: Yes. In California, you will see signs for chain law levels R1, R2 and R3 for trucks. They all mean the same to a commercial driver - either chain up, or stop and wait for conditions to improve.

In Colorado, a Level I requires single drive axle combination vehicles to chain up. A Level II requires that all commercial vehicles chain up. Oregon also has different levels, but the requirements on their roadside signs are very specific. They use plain English and the signs are easy to understand.

Question: Are there other states that have chain laws?
ANSWER: Yes. If you are prepared for the states that we have mentioned, you should be ready for the rest.

Question: Any last suggestions?
ANSWER: Practice installing your chains when the weather is nice. That way, you can work out the bugs in comfort. Use several bungee straps to keep the chains tight. Always carry extra straps.

Don and Debbe may be reached at info@dondepublishing.com