This is why truck drivers choose snow chains instead of winter tires – Jalopnik

While many travelers may avoid areas such as high mountain passes or wait out severe winter storms, truckers are on the road every day of the year. The first semi truck was invented in 1898 to transport the earliest American automobiles, but since then the semi truck has expanded greatly to transport a wide variety of goods, including food, electronics and oil.

While winter tires offer features that help them adapt and perform better on snow, sometimes that’s not enough, especially when the surface becomes icy. Since semi-trucks can have a legal limit of up to 80,000 pounds, fully loaded, one of these out-of-control trucks could be a disaster, or at least a dangerous close call, like this large vehicle losing control on a snowy highway in Wyoming:

During bad weather, authorities closely monitor road conditions, and in places like Washington State, they will require chain use for some vehicles in certain areas at certain times. Although rules vary by state, semi-trucks are often required to install snow chains, even if passenger cars don’t require them. And if you don’t do this, not only is it illegal, but you can also face hefty fines. In Oregon, for example, commercial vehicle drivers face a minimum fine of $880 for ignoring a chain notice.

That is why owners of another type of large commercial vehicle, namely buses, do not always choose winter tires, even in areas with heavy snowfall. Thor Diakow, a spokesperson for the TransLink public transit system in Vancouver, British Columbia, told the Vancouver Sun: “Snow patterns change every year in Metro Vancouver. One year we might get a huge dump and the next year a few flakes. Changing 10,000 tires on our buses for those few days of the year would be significant, considering storage, labor and maintenance costs.”

However, for semi-trucks, snow chains are still preferred when conditions deteriorate. Sets of two chains can cost less than $250 (depending on size), and if properly maintained, they won’t need replacement for a few thousand miles. These chains wrap around the wheel and are made in such a way that the metal links run across the width of the tire. The weight of the large vehicle presses on the chain links as the wheels turn, causing them to bite into the road surface and grip through snow and ice.

This can be especially important on significant slopes, where a semi may not make progress, or worse, may slide. This can happen even after state DOTs deal with snow on the roads. Although effective in difficult winter conditions, chains are highly regulated as they can even damage road surfaces if overused.