I have driven plenty of tanker's chained up for various reasons.
From the late 70's to 1987, I worked oilfied. The tankers I pulled were either Acid tanks, or Cryogenic (CO2 & Nitrogen). All those products have slosh in them, and yes, slosh is a real pain if you are driving in the wrong manner.
From 1987 to 2003 I hauled gasoline in the Seattle market, which includes central Washington state. Gasoline tankers are quite different from chemical tanks, in that fuel tanks are baffled to prevent slosh. Up in WA, I have seen many chemical tankers that were jack knifed, or in the ditch, because the driver didn't know how to control the unit, while chained and running on slick roads.

I have chained up numerous times, for crossing Snoqualmie, Blewett, Stevens, and White passes. I have also sat in motel rooms in Wenatchee, Yakima, Ellensburg and Cle Elum, due to the passes being closed for more than a day, or because I-90 between Ellensburg and Cle Elum was closed, because US2 between Wenatchee and Blewett Pass (US97) was closed, or I-82 between Yakima and Ellensburg was closed, and US 26 over White Pass was closed. The only time we were allowed to go around, was if Snoqualmie, Stevens and White passes were closed for more than 2 days, which has happened numerous times.
Going around mean's dropping down to Hermiston OR (where we had to buy trip permits--not easy even for big oil, when it comes to placards) on I-82 to I-84, travel west on I-84 to Portland, then north on I-5. We were not allowed to run the WA side of the Columbia Gorge. Now...from Yakima that isn't such a bad detour. But if you were in Wenatchee and had to go around, and Blewett was closed, then it became more of a trip.

As for what Sky said. Yup you betcha, no chains carried on my truck now. Do not plan on buying any.

:twisted: :twisted: Now..if you want a truely exciting experience on chains, run local work in Seattle proper, during snow time, and drive the "Counter Balance". :shock: :shock: LOL...the CB is quite the adventure with dry pavement!!!

 

Colt: You are 2 funny Honey!!!

I guess I could just get on the C.B. and say, "Breaker 19. Are there any drivers out here that would be willing to chain for me so I don't break a nail or twist one of my stiletto heels off?"

I'm quite sure there would be an uproar on the radio. I could hear the guys now. "Well Missy, if you want to do a male job you better learn how to chain." Better yet, the typical over 50 year old comment, "Shouldn't you be home with the little ones? Isn't it just too dangerous for you to be out here Missy?" [Don't have any little ones unless you include the fuzz balls under some of my furniture!]

You are cute-no doubt about it. I don't have any nails-hard to keep them looking gorgeous when pulling fifth wheels and dollying up and down. Say nothing about putting the air lines and electrical cord in and out all the time.

Stiletto heels-ooh baby that would be fun trying to wear those while driving a semi. Believe it or not I've never owned a pair of stilettos. Used to wear high heels when I was an Accountant. But realized real fast that I'm a "comfort person" not a "let me look ever so feminine person". Wearing skirts and always looking presentable should be sufficient. No doubt about it-stilettos would not satisfy the company's footwear requirement. Besides Honey, I might fall and twist an ankle. Then I'd have broken toe nails to go along with my short fingernails. Well I guess at least they would match! :roll: :roll: :roll:

 

Aaaaaaaaah Sizz. I'm 50...and if I heard ya on the radio asking for assistance hanging iron, I would be more than happy to do it....just to find out who had the voice!!!! To heck with wondering why you weren't at home...I would probably be wanting ya as a co-driver !!! :wink:

 

Silverwulf stated:
First of all... My comments were not directed at you Sizzle. Thanks Silverwulf, I knew they couldn't be directed at me since I said I do chain. I just didn't think you should make it sound like people are wussies for not chaining. I say, "no one would mind chaining if it were a sunny blue sky day. It's usually during blizzard conditions and quite often at night in the dark." That's why I dislike chaining.

I lived in CO for 12 years, now I'm in Wyoming, and I spent the first 25 years of my life in Alaska so running in adverse weather is second nature. I haven't shut down in 12 years of driving, except when the roads have been closed of course. Silverwulf: It's admirable that you've been in these areas-obviously been in some of the worst conditions and needed to chain.

I run dedicated WalMart out of Cheyenne, mostly to CO. The passes I have to deal with on a daily basis are Eisenhower, Vail, Rabbit Ears, Monarch, Wolf Creek, LaVeta, etc... I stand corrected about being on all major mountain passes-haven't done the ones in Southern Colorado that you travel every day. Those are definitely tough passes. Been through some in a car. Burned up brakes in my Honda Accord going down Wolf Creek Pass. Didn't know you could burn up brakes in a 4-wheeler. Quite an experience indeed!!! Wouldn't want to do those on a daily basis. No thank you. Now I understand your comment about chaining. No doubt about it-you wouldn't get very far on those passes without chaining. I stand corrected. Now you better mark this down-not many drivers stand corrected on this board without a big "P*ssing Contest. Guess it's cause I'm a female, I can admit and accept that I'm wrong. UM!!! I get to run one or more of those every day, seven days a week. 3 weeks ago I spent almost two days sitting in Gunnison because the East side of Monarch was closed due to multiple avalanches, I had to get down to Alamosa for my next drop, the only other roads out of Gunnison in that direction were closed too. There's no doubt in my mind in those particular areas there are avalanches.

Apparently, I've only done the major passes on the major highways. Thank god, I haven't had to do the passes you do on a daily basis. No Thank You Honey-I'll leave em to you!!! 8) :roll:

 

Orangetxguy Well honey, I've never acted helpless. Although, my favorite line when I need help moving those blasted tandems is: "Honey, if I used the poor helpless female routine would you help me?" It works like a charm, guys always break out in a big smile and help me everytime. That way it's a little more dignified than trying to bat the eyelashes or be a big flirt. Although, I'm not adverse to being a flirt what-so-ever!!! :roll: :roll: :roll:

Co-driver UM. I have a hard time just going over to the passenger sit without tripping over my gear shift. I can't imagine another warm body on the truck with me--well at least not 24/7. UM?!? :wink:

One day in Pinon, Colorado [a little bit north of Pueblo] I saw this guy walk a great dane. I was totally amazed that it would fit on the truck with him. Low and behold he went back to the truck and brought out two medium sized dogs to walk. I couldn't believe it, I was truly in shock. He also had a woman on the truck. It wasn't a large cab either. Oh my goodness, imagine 5 warm bodies on one truck? I can't even imagine two warm bodies on one truck. :lol: :roll:

 

Danger Will Robinson...DANGER :!: :!: :!:

One "pet" in a truck, is one to many! I like dogs, cats & fish..but I'm not going to haul them around the country in my truck! That would be cruel punishment for the pet..In My Opinion!!!

Now....I've never traveled with a co-driver either....but would be willing to make an exception for the right woman!!!!

As for chaining and running passes in Colorado!!

Rabbit Ears, Monarch, Wolf Creek, LaVeta. Forgive me please, if I say that Rabbit Ears and LaVeta are a "cake walk" !! Much easier passage over those, than over Lizardhead, Red Mountain, or down the "Widowmaker" into Ouray from Silverton!!

I remember being headed home to Farmington NM out of Denver, stopped at the chain-up area at SouthFork, for the climb over Wolf Creek. I was just finishing tightening up the 3-railers I had hung, when 2 Corn-flaker trucks pulled up. Both those drivers snickered at the "Kid" hanging to much "Iron" !! They wizzed and took off up the road without chaining...like the sign was requiring. I got up into the third set of curves headed up the pass, when I came up on those jokers. One was upside down in the right ditch..hanging his chains..the other was slide down into the ditch, with just his tractor one the shoulder. I smiled and waved as I trundled by them guy's!! Shouted out the window that I would call them a wrecker when I got up to the ski lodge!!!

:lol: :lol: I had 2 cups of Hot Chocolate before I called the wrecker for them !!! :twisted: :twisted: [/b]

 

Orangetxguy: Obvioulsly, I haven't been on all the passes you guys keep talking about. Good thing I retracted my prior statement about going on all the major passes out west to all the major passes on the major highways out west. I wouldn't want to be thought of as a Billy Big Rigger although I guess I'd have to revise it to Billiet Big Rigger?!? :roll: :roll: :roll:

Liked your story Orangetxguy-every time the drivers act like Macho Billy Big Riggers REALITY SETS IN AND LETS THEM KNOW OTHERWISE!!! 8) :roll:

Perhaps we should PM?!?

 

Awah...Dang it!....now y'all got me confused. :?

I thought it was the Billy Big Riggers that were the one's chaining up.
You know...I crap bigger than you, ya daisy ....ain't nothin' stoppin' me.. :lol: :P :?


.... well...this thread got ditched long ago, but at least it's getting interesting, now. :? :lol:

 

[quote="Sizzle"]Lunker stated:
WoW, I can't believe I finally spelled a word wrong!

 

LOL! I have only sat a few times due to weather..and that was only because CA decided they know better than most truck drivers, what a driver is capable of doing!!

Nothng at all to running on chains...as long as you use a brain! I'm quite happy to trundle along at 25 or 30 mph in the lane with the deepest snow!!