Tire Chains on Commercial Vehicles
It’s that time of year again where commercial trucks need to carry chains! Make sure your truck has chains before October 1. Most jurisdictions, who require us to carry chains, require them starting October 1. Colorado already requires commercial vehicles to carry chains on I-70 between Dotsero and Morrison, which is a fun stretch of freeway in the winter.
Every mountain state and province has their own chain requirements. A general rule of thumb is that a full chain up involves chaining up:
- All four tires on front drive axle
- Outside tires of rear drive axle
- One tire on each side of the trailer
It’s important to check weather conditions and mountain passes before you arrive. If there is chain up warnings – it’s not safe to drive. Shut it down and go once the chain warnings are down and the road conditions improve. Safety is our number one priority.
If any driver in our fleet has any questions about chain requirements, please contact John.
Chain Requirements Resources
BC – http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/SeasonalDriving/winter-tires-chains/
Oregon – http://www.tripcheck.com/Pages/minimum-chain-requirements.asp
California – http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/engineering/trucks/ops-guide/chains.htm#dates
Montana – http://www.mdt.mt.gov/travinfo/tire_restrictions.shtml
Colorado – http://www.coloradodot.info/travel/library/Brochures/ChainTips.pdf
Idaho – http://legislature.idaho.gov/idstat/Title49/T49CH9SECT49-948.htm
