A truck or other heavy vehicle that loses traction not only disrupts operations but can also lead to a dangerous situation. In regions where weather – or other – conditions entails the risk of slippery driving conditions, having some traction aid could be an obvious precaution to secure operation and prevent delays. Although there are similarities with traction aids for passenger cars, there are other requirements for trucks.
'When should I use a traction aid?' This seemingly simple question could be answered by 'whenever you lose traction'. However, it isn't as simple as that. There are situations when it's a good idea to use a traction aid even if traction isn't lost. And, there are situations where traction aids should not be used. Here is how you should think.
Servicing your automatic snow chains are important in order to maintain function and safety. The best is if you have the opportunity to store your automatic snow chains for a season at an Onspot Hotel.
Automatic tire chain systems can be explaned in two ways: 1) The physical properties of the system, and 2) What the system provides for you. Here we have them both listed. Learn more below.
The loss of traction can have serious consequences. A heavy vehicle unable to start or maneuver due to slippery road conditions is a potential risk to road safety. Not to mention the possible effects it can to the operation, be it goods transportation, passenger traffic, or rescue service. Here is how to increase traction.
At the cost of approx. USD2,500 for a complete system, automatic tire chains may seem costly to some. Still, there are others who without hesitation order and mount automatic tire chains on their every new vehicle, obviously finding them well worth the price. And, this has not necessarily to do with the financial status of the vehicle owner...
For a vehicle that never, or very rarely, is driven in icy or slippery road conditions, automatic tire chains are not a very good investment. But, for a driver who very often – possibly daily for extended periods – encounters icy roads, the safety and convenience of automatic tire chains may come as a bargain. So, where is the line between expensive and cheap?
Tire chains are an old and proven method for getting traction in icy road conditions. Even if chains look similar, there are different types of chains for the truck driver to consider. And, as usual, different types have different benefits. Your final choice should be a result of your specific needs and preferences.
There is no such thing as 'the perfect traction aid.' All different methods for increasing traction have their specific advantages. Accordingly, your choice of traction aid should be the optimal compromise for your personal needs, taking into account the features and benefits the different methods offer. When deciding on your traction aid, excluding options due to limitations or other cons could be one approach. So, which are the limitations of automatic tire chains?
Despite the fact that automatic tire chains by most experienced users are considered the most convenient and preferred choice, there are drawbacks you should be aware of.
Why should anyone invest in an automatic tire chain system? Existing choices for increasing traction in slippery conditions have long been in use. Read more here about all the options.
Before we know it, we will be in the winter season when roads will look like in the picture above. To get the most out of their Onspot investment, many fleet managers supply their drivers with checklists. These checklists make it easy for drivers to maintain the vehicle. Learn more and download the checklist here.