Tire Chains?

I think the OP's question has been answered, but I'm bored so here's my $0.02.

Lived in AK for most of my life; spent 3 years in Eastern Washington and unfortunate regular stints in Ewe-stun.

Alaska and Eastern Washington approach:
- Never checked any regs re: Chains. I always used my own judgment; was never stopped for "not having/using" chains. A couple of times I went over passes in Wa. as they were being closed behind me but made it through OK following my chain philosophy.

- Always carried a minimum of 3 sets of chains: Drive and front axle for the truck and one set for the trailer. I always used 4WD vehicles so that makes a difference
- If the weather was heavy snow so that chains were required to get enough traction to push through, I'd chain up the rear (drive) wheels;
- If the weather was such that the issue was slipping and sliding...but only if slippery enough that there was no alternative to chains (a VERY rare event), then I'd chain up both front and rear axles on the truck.
- If it was slippery enough to require chains on front/back, then I'd also chain up the "first braking" axle of whatever trailer I was towing, i.e. the axle that had the most braking effect, due to either loading or brake design.
- FWIW, I think I can recall less than 10 times in 40 years that I've put on all 3 sets of chains due to ice/snow.
- Further FWIW..and not related to the OP's question, but back in the day when my daily pickup truck was also the "get to the cabin through the bog" truck, I'd chain up all 4 wheels...makes an amazing difference in mud. Never got stuck IIRC.

pan over weather

If there is snow forecast don't travel.

I've lived in SW MN all my life and have never been far from home. I've never seen a seen a set of tire chains and I would not even know how to install them. Sounds like it would be a really rough ride and hard on your vehicle.

How fast can you go with these things on?

Blanco1 wrote:

dave54 wrote:
The grapevine will be closed with less snow than the Sierra requires to even pull the plows out of the barn.

Yes!

So you understand my strange way of questioning things that other people see no issue with.

Your typical L.A. driver freaks out and causes an accident at the first sight of a snowflake. A 1/4 inch snowfall in San Fernando Valley or downtown would paralyze the city for days.
The mountain dwellers just shrugs off a one foot snowfall and go to work without a hitch.

Blanco1 wrote:
Ok I should declared that I'm not talking about where I live.

I know all about what happens around here.
its rains many stupid people speed up & crash & good for us it don't snow here.

Yet if it does they freak out & close the grape vine & don't let people through without an escort.

Yet while in Az a couple years ago it was snowing & now chains required.
No road shut downs.
No escorts .

My trip that concerns me is traveling through Az, Nm, Co, Ut & Nv.

My thoughts are to stay away from conditions that have chain issues ( yet seems Being from LA I have no idea how the rest of the real world handles it ) & then stay just below snow levels & then buy chains for the toad?

My Truck camper is 4X4 with AT tires though as an FYI.

The Grapevine and the Cajon Pass can have heavy snow and whiteout conditions from time to time.
Supposed "experienced" 48 state tractor-trailer drivers have their share of snow related accidents as well as cars & pickups, towing or not.
Complete shutdown by the CHP is good common sense - as due to traffic volume, chain inspection stations would not be practical.
So - shut it down, when conditions improve - escort the vehicles through higher elevations.

Anyway -
Guess you need someone to reply from each of the states you indicated.

OR -

You carry some type of chains for your tow vehicle (why not?) - and

"Tire Snow Socks" are a good option for vehicles being towed.
(And wouldn't damage a TT or 5th as someone indicated).

IMO - I would have same - if you are going to drive a/the "toad" in the mountains, seems you would need the chains for it anyway...:h

BTW - would guess just like local (San Bernardino) mountains close to L.A. (CA), when CHP requires chains, req's may vary:
1. 2x4 = put 'em on.
2. 4x4 must *have* chains - but no need to install them.
3. Everyone installs chains - or turn around.
Note: During whiteout (yes, blizzard) conditions, ALL the roads have been shut down. Nobody up, nobody down - period!

Never heard (or saw) a *requirement* for something being towed.
But that's CA - and the CHP.

On edit:
Disclaimer: This is *not* an ethnic slur, just "the facts".
Westminster, CA has the second largest Vietnamese population in the US. - second only to Saigon. Many adjoining cities add to that number.

Many of those folks have never seen snow - let alone drive in it.
(Flatlands & rolling hills of So.CA don't *EVER* have snow!)
So, they want to visit this phenomenon - about a 2 hr drive away!
They actually are pretty good drivers when visiting the white stuff for the first - or fifth time.
However, it *IS* in the mountains!..;)
With narrow winding roads - *LOTS* of traffic due to ski areas, etc.
They give a whole new meaning to *white knuckles* and driving very, very, V-E-R-Y...S-L-O-W-L-Y..:B


~

This State Chain Laws should help. Some states require them to be carried even if they don't need to be on, mostly western mountain states. Others only need them if you are traveling during warnings.

Normally we just stay put until the advisories are over.

wa8yxm wrote:
Chains are normally used only on the drive axle.

It depends on if you normally tow or you normally don't. Chains on the trailer axle are used for braking.

Bruce

Chains are normally used only on the drive axle.

That said; As someone else said I carry enough chains to satisfy where I'm traveling, Currently Southern Georgia, normally Upstate SC lowlands (Below 1000 feet) in the winter and MI in the summer. In short. No chains on me.

Mootpoint wrote:
I carry enough chains to cover the requirements of where we travel. I have never put them on. If the road conditions require chaining up I stay put until conditions improve. Unfortunately, if you're on a schedule, this isn't always possible. I therefore always try to add a few "what if" days to my schedule.

We have a winner!!!!

I carry enough chains to cover the requirements of where we travel. I have never put them on. If the road conditions require chaining up I stay put until conditions improve. Unfortunately, if you're on a schedule, this isn't always possible. I therefore always try to add a few "what if" days to my schedule.