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How to Install Chains on a Tractor Trailor

How to Install Chains on a Tractor Trailor

Transcript: “Hi, I’m Alan Cox, Safety Director for Knight Refrigerated here in Phoenix. I’m also a driver of 30 years, 17 of them with this company, and today we’re going to teach you how to chain your truck.”

STATE-BY-STATE CHAIN LAWS VARY.

PLEASE MAKE SURE TO UNDERSTAND ALL CARRY AND CHAIN LAWS IN THE STATES ALONG YOUR ROUTE.

PRIOR TO THE WINTER SEASON BE SURE TO INSPECT AND ORGANIZE YOUR CHAINS. THIS WILL PREVENT ANY POTENTIAL PROBLEMS WHEN THEY ARE NEEDED.

“When we think of chaining, we think of sitting on the side of the interstate at chain control. But really we should think of it as a preventative measure and we put them on before to keep ourselves out of bad situations.”

“For chaining, have all the proper clothes, dress and layers, you’ve got some type of insulated suit on. You’ve got a rain suit, you’ve got a tarp, I always carry a tarp. You never know when you’re going to have to lay down on the hot pavement or in the snow.”

“You get your chains straightened out, and make sure that the tightening cams are to the outside of the tire, make sure that the cross-chains where they bend over the side chains are facing up, so you don’t flatten your tire, and when you drape them over the top of the tire, you get them so they hang half-way on each side, roll forward or backward, depending on where you have room until both ends are on the same side of the tire.”

“It’s very important that you start at the inside. If you start at the inside and get it tight first, you have a very very good chance of your chain staying on and staying tight.”

“You grab the hook and clip it to the other end of the chain just as tight as you possibly can. If you do that, you’ll chain successfully.”

“Then we go to the front, that has the adjustable links, and hook that up as tight as you can, flip the lock on it, and then tighten the cams.”

“At this point, you should try to roll forwards and backward. If you can’t roll forward 100 feet or so, roll forwards 20 feet, back 20 feet, just so the chains have a chance to settle on the tire.”

“Undo the cams, and then check the back one again, if you can tighten it up a couple more links, tighten it up some more, and then redo the front. Tighten up the front connector and then tighten down the cams, and you should have a tight chain.”

“If you do it right, you don’t even need bungee cords to keep them on”.

1 Comment

  1. Top 10 Truck Driving Tips for Winter | Drive Knight on December 21, 2020 at 10:55 am

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