Now that the warmer temperatures have finally arrived, the chain laws in the western states and provinces have been removed, so it’s a good time to give them a good cleaning with fresh water to remove all the salt, sand and other contamination and store them away for the summer. If your truck has chain holders, just leave them on the holders. This is the best way to store them, as just piling them in a pail, or in the jockey box will turn them into a jumbled tangled mess when you have to dig them out again. When hanging them on the chain holders, hang the least used set, usually singles, on the inside, and the most used set, usually triples on the outside. This way, you are not dealing with more chains that you have to. Also, make sure they are not dragging on the ground as you drive. Check the clearance with both an empty and a loaded trailer, and adjust them as needed.
During these warmer months, summer washer fluid works best for removing bugs and such from the windshield. Winter fluid is formulated to prevent freezing on the glass, but does very little to remove bugs. The best for removing bugs is use a foam type glass cleaner. Spray it liberally on the windshield, and let it sit for about a minute, then use the wipers to clean off the windshield. It works almost like magic, and you don’t have to climb on the hot engine, or balance on the steering tires.
