Tire chains

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TonyL

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We are returning to the US in November, and will stay a week close to the storage facility to enable us to de-winterize and sterilise the water system, check the van over etc.
It will be the middle of November by the time we are ready to leave Blaine WA to head south, and it seems that it is a legal requirement to have snow chains.
We will travel down through Oregon and into California, then Nevada.
Could someone please tell me if we must legally carry snow chains, and if so, what combination for a pickup and fifth wheel. We don't intend driving in any snow storms, but with the weather, you never know what you might need.
 
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Snow chains, if required are normally for the drive axle only.. But I'd have to research the law in WA to be sure. Weather is a factor. if there is no snow odds are they won't bother you but alas. key word is ODDS.. You get stuck they WILL bother you.

IF the roads are bad enough to need chains (Been there ONE Time with my class A) do what I did. Overnight in a handy dandy overnight spot. By morning the roads were cleared.
 
Thanks John, as I said , we don't intend any travels in adverse weather conditions, and will stay put if any is forecast. We have around 34 days to travel from WA to our Christmas destination in North Arizona, so there is no time constraints. We just have to sort a route, Quick but none too scenic I5, route 101 down the coast, very scenic, or inland down the 97/395, very scenic but possibly weather restricted.
 
We are returning to the US in November, and will stay a week close to the storage facility to enable us to de-winterize and sterilise the water system, check the van over etc.
It will be the middle of November by the time we are ready to leave Blaine WA to head south, and it seems that it is a legal requirement to have snow chains.
We will travel down through Oregon and into California, then Nevada.
Could someone please tell me if we must legally carry snow chains, and if so, what combination for a pickup and fifth wheel. We don't intend driving in any snow storms, but with the weather, you never know what you might need.
My state doesn’t require that chains be carried but if the chain law is in effect I must have them installed or stay off the affected highway. You might research state law where you’re traveling.

Given no time constraints, my winter travel is based on weather “windows of opportunity“. I like the KSL Weather app (KSL news, Salt Lake City). It allows me to enter any city in the US. Nice maps with weather warning overlays and a 10-day forecast I’ll be watching next week for a ride south on I-15.

Maybe start here. A look around the site might reveal chain law info.


Here’s more:



Safe Travels!
 
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All over the far west (WA,OR,ID etc) you will see signs when chains are required they will say something like drag chains required. That indicates that at least one axle on any trailer must also be chained.
Now, in Nov driving down I5 should be clear, relatively speaking, sailing. From Blain, Im assuming you will want to spend at least one night somewhere? The casino at Canyonville is a good driving distance. Once parked, go online to Tripcheck.com. that is Oregons highway camera system where you can see live what is happening on the highways.
BTW it is Caltrans for CA highway cameras. Not sure about WA state, but I guarantee they will have something similar. So, by looking at the web site and checking cameras for the next days travel other than rain you should be able to see what to expect. Siskiyou summit usually does not see snow until late December.
Depending on what size tires tour tow vehicle has I have a brand new set of dually chains that I bought for my 2007 Dodge that I carried but never used for sale. And Im only 20 minutes off I5 near Salem.
 
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You should be fine in November if you stick to Interstate 5 down to California. The Washington state rule is:

Those traveling into higher elevations should carry chains and have approved traction tires whenever winter weather is possible, especially Nov. 1 through March 31.


That basically covers traveling east from the ocean through the mountains. If you stick to a southbound route you won't need them.

If you want to be safe check out NAPA or another auto parts stores in the area because some auto parts stores will sell winter chains in sealed boxes and buy them back in the spring if they weren't used. I think you only get half back though.

If you aren't experienced in driving in the snow and some freak blizzard hits the area you're in then do yourself a favour and find somewhere to hunker down. It's foolish to try to drive out of the storm when you can park, turn on the heater and wait a day or two for it all to melt.
 
Oregon, California and Washington have mandatory carry in the snow zones. I think WA is worded "Certain routes." I never have heard of a non-commercial vehicle being inspected for them. OR and CA do have a coupe of drive through inspection area but never has seen them check other then when weather is a factor.

Me? I carry but have no intention of using unless I got caught in a bad situation. Had enough of that in another life.

Les Schwab Tire used to offer refunds on sealed chains on the end of season. Don't know if they still do. Schwab is a large regional chain in the west.

Oregon has a steep fine if you are caught driving barefoot when chainup sign is lit. Cheaper to buy some and let them rust.
 
I don't know about other states, but on I-80 here in CA, before Donner Summit, when the weather has snow possible, TRUCKS are stopped and checked for chains. They do NOT need to have them installed, just in their possession. Cars do not have to stop.

Cars can be required to have chains installed, but they are NEVER required to be only carried, unlike trucks.

I do not know how this applies to RVs as I have yet to see one on I-80 when it is snowing or is likely to snow.

Cars are not checked at all, until chains are required.

Then to pass whatever point has the chain control, chains must be installed on all vehicles, except 4WD with snow tires. All Terrain tires DO count as "snow tires".

But "All weather" tires are NOT the same and they do NOT count as snow tires.

The speed limit is changed from 65 MPH to 35 MPH when there is a chain control.

Anybody (like me) who goes over the pass often in the winter, owns a 4WD with all-Terrain tires and never has to be concerned with the chain requirement other than it will be a slow long drive over the summit.

-Don- Auburn, CA
 
Then to pass whatever point has the chain control, chains must be installed on all vehicles, except 4WD with snow tires. All Terrain tires DO count as "snow tires".

But "All weather" tires are NOT the same and they do NOT count as snow tires.

The speed limit is changed from 65 MPH to 35 MPH when there is a chain control.

Anybody (like me) who goes over the pass often in the winter, owns a 4WD with all-Terrain tires and never has to be concerned with the chain requirement other than it will be a slow long drive over the summit.

-Don- Auburn, CA
Exactly why, when I bought new tires for the Jeep a couple of months ago, I made sure they had the "mountain and snowflake" symbol on them that denotes snow rated tires. The Hankooks that I had run for years were actually fine in the snow back in Arkansas(where they don't check such things)but didn't have the snowflake rating.
 
My brother travels south on the 5 fwy each year from Grants Pass, Or. to Quartszite, Az. with a class "A" M/H towing. He is very aware of all the chain requirements and procedures,, careful planning is the key and be ready to stop and pull off the road when chains are in affect..
As said before, I have only seen trucks pulled over for violations.>>>Dan
 
True story: For a couple winters we parked at the bottom of a hill at work. Well one of my coworkers got a new Ford (Way too light in the rear end) pickup with extra wide rear tires (No good in snow) and another who drove a big LIncoln (proper weight distribution but "Summer" tires) was talking about how much fun it was going to be to watch "The Kid" climb the hill... He spoke the truth.
And it was every bit as much (if not more) fun to watch HIM climb the hill the same way
Then two young ladies from Georgia and Texas.. front wheel drive made it look like a dry day in August. I brought up the rear. My ride was Rear Wheel Drive but Kelly Navigator 800's No problems. Good tires MAKE A DIFFERNCE.. So they made a bit of noise.. I don't mind noise that's what the radio is for (To cover it) I like TRACTION and Track they did.

Never used chains.

Last winter I had one day where a change of underware was almost needed (Hit the brakes and it started skidding straight at the side of a pick up) Got off the brakes tapped the gas and the Front wheel drive did what I told it to. Pulled me into the curve and the Pick Up driver likely never knew I almost hit him.. Yup that was a "Think fast" and "Success" event.

Now I drive a jeep.. The Michelins on it are "Aggressive tread" (Like the Kelly's) They are now about 1 year old (Or getting there) I like this ride.
 
Well one of my coworkers got a new Ford (Way too light in the rear end) pickup with extra wide rear tires (No good in snow)
Put some weight in the truck above the rear wheels. A couple of hundred pounds will make a very big difference in the snow on a pickup truck regardless of the tires.

I wouldn't even drive the thing in snow without the weight back there. You may ask me how I know . . .

-Don- Auburn, CA
 
Put some weight in the truck above the rear wheels. A couple of hundred pounds will make a very big difference in the snow on a pickup truck regardless of the tires.

I wouldn't even drive the thing in snow without the weight back there. You may ask me how I know . . .

-Don- Auburn, CA
Don't need to.. Had a bit of time when my Lumina was in ye old shop.. So I drove Enterprise and they put me in a ford PU.. Scariest ride I ever drove.. Too light in the tail. Wanted to oversteer on wet (Even dry) roads advisory sign said 30. I took the corner at 20. (normally Id' do 40)
 
I have chains for my srw diesel Ram but have never used them. I do have to feather the throttle on wet or snowy roads though because of the torque. I am required to have snowflake rated tires from October 1 to March 31
 
I keep cables in my 5th wheel, and have chains and cables for the truck! If it gets bad enough for the truck to be wearing something......the 5th wheel will also be cabled. I want the 5th wheel to stay behind me and not only assist in stopping, but more importantly.....stay straight under braking! memtb
 
I keep cables in my 5th wheel, and have chains and cables for the truck! If it gets bad enough for the truck to be wearing something......the 5th wheel will also be cabled. I want the 5th wheel to stay behind me and not only assist in stopping, but more importantly.....stay straight under braking! memtb
Yeah, chained up the camp trailers more than once to get off the forest service mountain roads after the elk camp. Trailer brakes, chained up truck kept us on a steep road with a long slide off the edge. Too old for that now. I watch the weather and stay off the roads, throw a log on the fire, whiskey in the glass and watch it snow ;)
 
I don't mean to sound like the dumb old koot, but since you have time to wait, then I wouldn't carry, and just wait out the snow if it happens. It is usually the passes in Nov where chains will be required, not the valleys. They will probably have it plowed the next day and no chains needed then.
That giant 5er in your pic... yes, DO use trailer chains (or cables) as you need the trailer brakes and need to keep the trailer from sliding sideways if the road has side slant in the turns. Your trailer will slide on ice.
If the sign says "chain up" then you better have chains, and I bet they all will require the trailer to have one set...
 
When our son was AD AF we flew out to Utah for a visit. It was December. My wife got the idea to go see friends in Jackson Hole, WY. We thought about renting a car but for some reason decided to use our son’s truck, a Ram 2500, 2wd with Cummins and 5 speed standard trans. We got to our friends house in Wyoming, we’ll almost. They live at the top of a hill and it was icy. Couldn’t get up there. Had to wait for our friends to get home. When we were leaving I tried to buy chains but everywhere was sold out. Our friends gave us an alternate route back to Utah which we found out had a mountain pass. I made it about halfway up. There was a line of vehicles behind me. A truck came around everyone and backed up to us. The driver got out, grabbed a chain from his bed and hooked up to the hooks on our truck. Got back in his truck and took off. Never said a word. He pulled us over the top at what seemed like 60 mph. Got down the other side, unhooked and left. Again, not a word muttered. :cool:
 
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