Winter Preparedness for Semi Truck Drivers: Navigating Chain Laws on I-70 in Colorado

Interstate 70 (I-70) traverses Colorado's heart, winding through picturesque yet challenging terrains of the Rocky Mountains. Notably, this highway stretches over the Eisenhower Tunnel and Vail Pass, with segments reaching elevations surpassing 11,000 feet. Given its elevation and exposure, during winter, it often faces formidable snow, ice, and other adverse weather conditions. To maintain road safety, Colorado enforces a strict chain law for commercial vehicles, specifically targeting the I-70 corridor. Here’s a detailed examination:

1. Duration and Specific Locations of the Law:From September 1st to May 31st, all commercial vehicles must carry chains while traveling on I-70 between milepost 133 (Dotsero) and milepost 259 (Morrison). This segment encompasses challenging areas like Georgetown and Silverthorne, demanding extra caution and preparedness.

2. Activation Criteria:While chains must be on board throughout the enforcement period, their actual installation depends on weather conditions. CDOT will enforce the chain law when roads become treacherous due to snow, ice, or during winter storm warnings.

3. Levels of Chain Law on I-70:

• Level 1 (Code 15): At this level, commercial vehicles must have chains on at least one drive axle. This typically encompasses semis, box trucks, buses, and other single-drive axle combination commercial vehicles.
• Level 2 (Code 16): A more stringent requirement, chains must be installed on all drive axles. Additionally, any vehicle towing trailers, irrespective of weight, must have chains. Cables are not acceptable during a Level 2 advisory.

4. Fines and Penalties:

• Non-compliance during Active Chain Law: If a commercial vehicle without chains causes a lane or road obstruction, fines start at $500, accompanied by a $79 surcharge.
• Highway Closure due to Non-compliance: If an unchained vehicle leads to a highway shutdown, fines escalate to $1,000, inclusive of a $157 surcharge.
• Resulting in Bodily Injury: Any crash caused by a failure to adhere to the chain law, leading to bodily harm, can see the fines doubled.

5. Exceptions and Alternatives:Colorado recognizes Alternative Traction Devices (ATDs) that meet CDOT’s specifications as valid alternatives to traditional chains. For example, AutoSock is a CDOT-approved ATD.

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6. Recommendations for Drivers:

• Routine Inspections: Prior to embarking on I-70, especially between the aforementioned mileposts, ensure your vehicle is equipped with chains.
• Familiarize Installation: Practice makes perfect. Familiarize yourself with installing chains or ATDs before they become necessary.
• Stay Informed: Road conditions are mercurial. Regularly consult the CDOT website, its mobile app, or tune in to local radio stations for updates.

Conclusion:Adherence to the I-70 chain law in Colorado is both a legal obligation and a critical safety measure. The highway's elevations and climatic fluctuations demand a proactive approach to driving. Preparedness and awareness can be the deciding factors between a secure transit and potential hazards. Remember, safety first!

 

[Duck]

I don't understand how an auto sock even works.

They look like they'd be even slicker than a bare tire. And last about 50 feet.

 

[389 Hood]

I'm glad I live in Florida this time of year.

But then, they can't drive in the rain here and that's all year round.

 

[Duck]

They're predicting a wet winter. Lots of snow.

 

[Phantom Trucker]

Those auto socks aren’t fully recognized across the board here in Canada. British Columbia for example (where our most extreme mountain grades are) doesn’t allow them for vehicles over 26,000 pounds.

I pull B-trains of fuel at 140,000 pounds; even if those things were recognized by the DOT in BC, I wouldn’t trust them. My steel chains take a hell of a beating as it is.

 

[krelithous]

id'e run chains over tire socks any day

 

[389 Hood]

I'll hang out in shorts and a T-shirt here in Florida, while you guys chain up.

 

[Mike]

id'e run chains over tire socks any day

Have you ran auto socks?

 

[Mike]

I don't understand how an auto sock even works.

They look like they'd be even slicker than a bare tire. And last about 50 feet.

View attachment 88793

They work great, traction is just as good as chains, maybe better.

As for how long they last, it's just like chains. Places like California will wear them out very rapidly since they have you running them on wet pavement.

 

[krelithous]

They work great, traction is just as good as chains, maybe better.

As for how long they last, it's just like chains. Places like California will wear them out very rapidly since they have you running them on wet pavement.

never ran auto socks. one would think that chains would have a better grip and last longer

 

[Duck]

They work great, traction is just as good as chains, maybe better.

As for how long they last, it's just like chains. Places like California will wear them out very rapidly since they have you running them on wet pavement.

Well obviously they work or DOT wouldn't allow them,.. What I don't get is HOW they work. They look slick.

 

[Mike]

Well obviously they work or DOT wouldn't allow them,.. What I don't get is HOW they work. They look slick.

Whatever the material is on the inside (ground glass or plastic maybe) moves as the tire moves and helps to provide traction.

As long as you are on the ice and traveling slow, they hold up. In pavement, they tear up, just like how chains will break and leave links all over the ground to flatten tires.

Another benefit, when they do come apart they don’t tear anything up like a chain can when it breaks and comes loose.

 

[Duck]

Whatever the material is on the inside (ground glass or plastic maybe) moves as the tire moves and helps to provide traction.

As long as you are on the ice and traveling slow, they hold up. In pavement, they tear up, just like how chains will break and leave links all over the ground to flatten tires.

Another benefit, when they do come apart they don’t tear anything up like a chain can when it breaks and comes loose.

So it's like sandpaper tire tread?

 

[Uncle Birchy]

id'e run chains over tire socks any day

Honestly 2 gosh I've "never" hadda "Chain"..

Weather a bit too "Dicey" I'd call my "Dispatch" let em know the situation..

Of course they wanted me "proceed"..

Then I'd tell em about jackknife & rolling over ..

Alot bigger problems than just being "Late" plus major "Insurance Claims"..

That usually "Shut Em Up"

 

[Allen Genephat]

hopefully no pile-up's this year

 

[Electric Chicken]

hopefully no pile-up's this year

You know there will be. Assuming you're not a bot, considering bots can't "know."

 

[Duck]

You know there will be. Assuming you're not a bot, considering bots can't "know."

A bot would've used proper capitalization and punctuation.

 

[Rigjockey]

A bot would've used proper capitalization and punctuation.

but What If it was a dyslexic bot?

 

[Electric Chicken]

A bot would've used proper capitalization and punctuation.

They keep getting more and more realistic. It's a trucker forum so it has to fit in.

 

[Hillbilly Canuck]

I don't understand how an auto sock even works.

They look like they'd be even slicker than a bare tire. And last about 50 feet.

View attachment 88793

They're absolute garbage. I got stuck behind a truck spinning out on the Coq and started spinning out myself. They put on the chain law and truck after truck was chaining up and getting on past me.

The company thought those socks were ok because it was "legal" They did t do shit for me and still ended up having to get a pull up. After that I told them I wasn't going to BC anymore without chains. They didn't send me for quite a while after that. The next time they did, my first project was to drop my trailer at a truck stop and go to Fort Garry for chains.

Socks no longer satisfy the law in BC by the way.