With the impending snow storm, just wanted to share some info on ONSPOT chains. This info is direct from their website. Does anyone still use "old-fashioned" chains? I know we will put them on when snow totals start to climb. They can quickly be taken off before leaving if road conditions are better than expected.


Q: How fast can I go and turn ONSPOT chains on?
A: ONSPOTs should be engaged and disengaged with the vehicle moving. The system can be turned on with the vehicle going as fast as 25 mph.

Q: How fast can I go with the chains engaged?
A: Up to 35 mph

Q: Do ONSPOTs work in reverse?
A: Yes. As the chainwheel hits at the tire centerline and the chainwheel is driven by centrifugal force the system will provide traction in forward or reverse.

Q: Will I get traction in deep snow?
A: ONSPOT is designed to effectively work on ice, packed snow, and up to 6 inches of snow.

We do pretty much what you do...use the Onspots up to a few inches and put on "traditional" chains when it looks like snow totals will excede (or have exceded) the capabilities of the Onspots. In really deep stuff, there's nothing like good old-fashioned chains to give you that "get up and go."

Ditto on all of that, Tanker 24 is our only truck with Onspots, but like the rest of you said we have a set of chains for the outside tire for the deep snow.

Engine 24 is our first out pumper when it's snowing, we have chains for each piece of apparatus but the Engine is normally first to wear them.

Our boys in Blue use chains on their Crown Vic's, I was up at Amity PD today doing a fix and saw a car there with them on.