Does anybody use tire chains on their bus? - Page 2
 

Does anybody use tire chains on their bus?

Started by Mex-Busnut, December 08, 2011, 06:45:06 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

gus

Nothing is never urgent enough for me to drive the bus in ice or snow, it gets parked until the stuff melts!!
PD4107-152
PD4104-1274
Ash Flat, AR

Iceni John

Crown used to offer sanders as an option on their buses.   I hope never to be where the white stuff is, but sometimes things happen and it catches up with you.   I'm thinking of reverse-engineering some sanders and putting them in unused spaces just ahead of the rear wheels  -  they're essentially just an air-tight box filled with dry sand, an air inlet, and a tube running down to just ahead of the wheels.   Is it necessary  -  heck no, but it could be a fun winter project.   Another option could be to get some of those automatic tire chains from a school bus wrecking yard (there's one in Ontario CA that I'll have to visit!), but I've heard they don't work too well.

When I get new(er) rear tires on my bus I'll probably use traction tires because they help in all marginal-grip conditions, not just in snow.

John
1990 Crown 2R-40N-552 (the Super II):  6V92TAC / DDEC II / Jake,  HT740.     Hecho en Chino.
2kW of tiltable solar.
Behind the Orange Curtain, SoCal.

John316

We have chained up several times (last time was over Donner). Chain control was set up, so we couldn't proceed until we told them we had TWO sets of chains (both single, and we only chain up the outer, but they still wanted to make sure we had TWO).

I have gotten pretty quick at hanging chains. It is way quicker for us to stop, chain, and keep rolling, then to wait it out. I always like the extra traction!

We have dumped the tag, in parking lots, but really doesn't help that much. Sometimes can actually make things worse...fwiw.

John
Sold - MCI 1995 DL3. DD S60 with a Allison B500.

TomC

I worked out of Seattle for 4 years where they have some steep hills with snow and ice at times.  Both the school buses and fueling tank trucks used automatic snow chains.  Some also had sanders.  I figure if they're good enough for school buses, then why not on an RV?

I drove for 21 years and 1.3 million miles.  While I carred cable chains, I never hung one pound of chains on the truck.  If it was that bad, I parked till it was cleared up-typically the next morning.  Only once was I delayed two days-but still got it there on time.  Good luck, TomC
Tom & Donna Christman. 1985 Kenworth 40ft Super C with garage. '77 AMGeneral 10240B; 8V-71TATAIC V730.