BC snow tire regulation

Proper tires and cable chains for both vehicles will meet BC and state requirements...and they work.
Had proper tires and cable chains for my 40` DP and toad. Never had a problem. CYA

rhagfo wrote:

campinghut wrote:
I would be worried about this line from the rules "Recreational vehicles such as fifth wheels and trailers should have either 3-peaked mountain snowflake or M+S tires on the drive axle of the primary vehicle and chains on board for the trailer tires to prevent slippage on banked curves" If I did not have snow tires or chains I would just stay in Alberta and not go through BC never mind the fuel prices :)

enblethen wrote:
This is very similar to what you will run into in Washington and Oregon.

These rules and laws are NOT to be a PITA for you, but for your safety and the safety and convenience of others traveling the same roads.

I have tire chains for both the TV and 5er and they are in the vehicles all the time.
I would hesitate to head out on a trip when "Chains Required" signs are up, but weather is fickle, and if caught in "Chain Up" conditions I want to be ready.

Just so you do not think that I stay in Alberta to avoid the rules I carry chains for all tires, truck and trailer in the winter, and for one step further I have tires with the snowflake on them.

Good advice, people. We just bought a set of MS Snowflake tires from Canadian Tire, so we're good to go. The issue was not the cost--it was the timing. With only two days left before departure day, we feared we would not be able to have the work done in time. No worries!

Drive safe. M+S while 'legal' are in my experience the bare minimum and don't compare to proper snow tires. Mountain passes are serious business. I tried to warn my parents (from eastern canada), but they insisted on trying the Kootenay pass during a snowfall and ended up having to turn a Uhaul around part way up.

Also, two of the 'major' summits on BC highways are part of my response area as a firefighter. I see many crashes. So be safe, if the weather isn't being cooperative, take a break.

There is no reason for taking the Coq, with its long hills and 4,400 foot elevation, when highway No.1 the TCH is lower and not so hilly. Time and time again we hear of troubles on that hwy, yes a short cut, but at what price? In winter, fall and spring we get ice and snow at times, in places there; in summer the heat gets to vehicles not ready for it, and it will be no fun for them, then! and what goes up must come down - and hope is only about 200 feet above sea level, so you've got 4,000 feet to come down if heading to the coast, and that run is almost all at once! Give your rig a break, don't make it do that unless you have to. and you don't.Take HWy 1, the trans Canada highway. And regarding the Connector that links the Cog into the Okanagan, it is higher yet, than the coq itself.

If you've ever watched the popular show "Highway Thru Hell", you'll understand why the authorities insist on enforcing the chain and tire laws on the Coq.

I carry chains for the truck and 5th wheel but only to say I have them if asked. If it snows in the passes, I'll just find an RV park and wait till the roads are cleared.

The better route at this time of the year, is to use the Trans Canada Highway, Hwy 1, as it goes to Hope as well,(and the Lower Mainland) With the Coq elevation at 4,400 feet, and Hope at about 200 feet, you have a lot of hill there, bur half that on that stretch of Hwy 1 (not sure of exact elevation). The Coq has problem in summer with overheated vehicles, and the steep, long runs down hill, sometime tax the braking of some vehicles. If you require stopping to visit some place off the Coq I would drive from Kamloops to Merrit through to Priceton. On the Hope Princeton there are some steep, high areas, and a steep hill going up out of Princeton and a long one not as steep getting close to Hope, make it not a really good option for winter driving, either. The No.1 would be my route to the coast. The road going through to the Pemberton and Whistler areas has a very steep hill constructed with a switch back and at least a 15 % grade. Not good. Even in summer the brakes take a beating going down that hill unless you have an exaust brake in a diesel, with a heavy load.