Snow chains
#22
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#23
JK Enthusiast
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: CHAVANNES DES BOIS, SWITZERLAND
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#24
Snow chains are illegal in Alberta, Canada.
I've never understood why they're needed in areas that receive far less snow than we do, driving in the snow isn't really that hard?
Even in my old Honda Accord! Why would you ever need snow chains on a 4 X 4?
I've never understood why they're needed in areas that receive far less snow than we do, driving in the snow isn't really that hard?
Even in my old Honda Accord! Why would you ever need snow chains on a 4 X 4?
#25
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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I live in Calgary. If you look at all of those trucks driving around "Oil Country", you'll notice that almost all of them are carrying chains. Yes, most of the time they are used on oil&gas or logging roads, but if the situation merits their use, I cannot see a police or DOT officer writing you a citation for running jewelery. I've used them on publicly maintained roads when the conditions warranted it.
I should know...I drive one of them there trucks in that helps in the business of brining that black stuff outta the ground in "Oil Country". My company's policy states that no truck will ever leave the shop without a set of chains that fits.
In addition to everything that I just said, let's bear in mind that we're talking about using chains off road. That means the following:
#1. Alberta's traffic laws don't apply.
#2. Conditions off road can be worse than what you encounter on road. When there's white stuff on the ground, things can get slippery. That's where chains come into play...even on a 4X4 vehicle.
#26
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Brizy,
Hi Guy! I've never had to resort to chains in snow. During a true ice storm the ice that forms is rock hard and a very thin layer of water from the rain even makes trying to stand dangerous. I've been at MVA scenes where someone was simply standing and all of sudden they and the truck / car they were leaning on started sliding down a very very mild grades. Ice storms are truely different from a snow event. The Laws of Physics are very simple...if there is sufficent lack of friction an object will move very easily...be it a compact car, 4x4, or a semi. I agree that chains are generally not needed for snow. When responding to an emergency we cannot jump into our vehicles and "hope" that we will not have problems getting to the scene...we HAVE to get there. Take care... Mike
Hi Guy! I've never had to resort to chains in snow. During a true ice storm the ice that forms is rock hard and a very thin layer of water from the rain even makes trying to stand dangerous. I've been at MVA scenes where someone was simply standing and all of sudden they and the truck / car they were leaning on started sliding down a very very mild grades. Ice storms are truely different from a snow event. The Laws of Physics are very simple...if there is sufficent lack of friction an object will move very easily...be it a compact car, 4x4, or a semi. I agree that chains are generally not needed for snow. When responding to an emergency we cannot jump into our vehicles and "hope" that we will not have problems getting to the scene...we HAVE to get there. Take care... Mike
#27
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How certain are you about that?
I live in Calgary. If you look at all of those trucks driving around "Oil Country", you'll notice that almost all of them are carrying chains. Yes, most of the time they are used on oil&gas or logging roads, but if the situation merits their use, I cannot see a police or DOT officer writing you a citation for running jewelery. I've used them on publicly maintained roads when the conditions warranted it.
I should know...I drive one of them there trucks in that helps in the business of brining that black stuff outta the ground in "Oil Country". My company's policy states that no truck will ever leave the shop without a set of chains that fits.
In addition to everything that I just said, let's bear in mind that we're talking about using chains off road. That means the following:
#1. Alberta's traffic laws don't apply.
#2. Conditions off road can be worse than what you encounter on road. When there's white stuff on the ground, things can get slippery. That's where chains come into play...even on a 4X4 vehicle.
I live in Calgary. If you look at all of those trucks driving around "Oil Country", you'll notice that almost all of them are carrying chains. Yes, most of the time they are used on oil&gas or logging roads, but if the situation merits their use, I cannot see a police or DOT officer writing you a citation for running jewelery. I've used them on publicly maintained roads when the conditions warranted it.
I should know...I drive one of them there trucks in that helps in the business of brining that black stuff outta the ground in "Oil Country". My company's policy states that no truck will ever leave the shop without a set of chains that fits.
In addition to everything that I just said, let's bear in mind that we're talking about using chains off road. That means the following:
#1. Alberta's traffic laws don't apply.
#2. Conditions off road can be worse than what you encounter on road. When there's white stuff on the ground, things can get slippery. That's where chains come into play...even on a 4X4 vehicle.
#28
Truck driver here as well. We always carry chains in the winter time. We do heavy haul, and over dimension stuff. Sometimes both. Will attach a pic when I can.
Last edited by Choppus; 10-29-2008 at 03:37 AM.
#29
JK Junkie
Also, they are required to use by law here according to the road conditions. We have R1, R2, and R3.
R1 = 2wd with snow tires ok, 4wd ok.
R2 = 2wd must use chains, 4wd with snow tires ok.
R3 = No 2wd's beyond that point, 4wd must use chains.
#30
I have cable chains for my 97 Sahara and they stay on the vehicle more or less the entire winter seeing how this jeep is used only for plowing my steep driveway.
I had to switch to the cable chains (they do not tear up the asphalt compared to "v" chains) because the jeep kept sliding on the slippery stuff and got stuck a few times in deep snow. They really made a world of difference and are very easy to put on/take off. They work so well I've thought about getting cable chains for the JK for when I go snowboarding up north. I figure if the road is impassable without them then at least I'd have a fighting chance with them.
But I took the jeep down the road a few times during a snow storm so I could gas up and the ride was less than desirable even at 15mph.
I had to switch to the cable chains (they do not tear up the asphalt compared to "v" chains) because the jeep kept sliding on the slippery stuff and got stuck a few times in deep snow. They really made a world of difference and are very easy to put on/take off. They work so well I've thought about getting cable chains for the JK for when I go snowboarding up north. I figure if the road is impassable without them then at least I'd have a fighting chance with them.
But I took the jeep down the road a few times during a snow storm so I could gas up and the ride was less than desirable even at 15mph.