We're heading to Arizona again this winter but this year with the truck and camper. I have no chains for the truck and although I have no intention of driving in the snow I want to have a couple of sets for an emergency and of course to be legal. Or maybe to get through the mud on SR58 in California. So two questions....Where I live on Vancouver Island there is not much call for snow chains so I thought I'd buy some on the way down. We'll probably be on the I5 in Oregon. Any recommended retailers? Obviously they would need to have stock on hand. Another option is buying online and getting them shipped to my nephew in Arizona but that means I wouldn't have them for the trip down.The truck is a Ram DRW 4x4. The manual says chains on front and back. Doesn't say all four rears. I thought I'd try to get two sets of V-bar chains with cam tighteners like these from Glacier:Any chain recommendations? We had no snow last winter but I grew up in a very wintery part of Canada so I've used chains just not on a rig that weighs this much.Thanks in advance, --Bob

First, with 4WD you are not required to have chains, at least on CA freeways.There is Caltrans requirement, that even with 4WD when you exceed certain weight, what I remember was about 15k lb you still need chains, so if you have heavy camper, you might want to check it. Worse come to worse, I would not get chains unless you are really planning driving in deep snow.Cables are much lighter, much easier to put on and much safer for the vehicle fenders, while will give you all the traction you might need in emergency.I don't think the chains on the picture, with spikes would be legal on most of the freeways anyway.

Les Schwab is a good choice for dealer. I don't have a chain recommendation. There are dealerships all over Oregon and Washington. Oregon doesn't have sales tax.

Good thing about Les Schwab is if you don't use them, return for full refund as well. Good piece of mind, especially if you don't "plan" to use them.

You must carry tire chains in the western states if you are over 10,000 pounds. You must have chains for the farthest rear axle on your trailer.Best is to stop by a Les Schwab. Buy the chains and then return them if you do not use them on your return trip.Chain requirementsChain requirements questions

Funny, I was buying gas cans in BC's "American Tire", becouse they are better and cheaper than the stuff I could buy in US. Can't imagine it would be opposite with snow chains.

Annual tire chain thread | Good Sam Community

Grit_dog
Navigator
Oct 18, 2015
Waste of a couple hundred bucks IMO. If it's bad enough to need chains on the highway with a loaded down 4wd dually, i.e. Glare ice, you're not going anywhere anyway. Don't worry about it. Besides you're going from Victoria to AZ? not like you're crossing the Rockies and can't be late?
Otherwise, Les Schwab, or buy a new used set off craigslist on your way through wa or or from one of the hundreds who thought they needed chains too but don't.
I bought an essentially new set of 4 for $50 for a couple of the sketchy forest roads needed to acces where we Sno machine.
time2roll
Nomad
Oct 18, 2015
I do prefer link chains but I would skip the V-Bar if you basically plan to avoid the snow when possible. Just singles for the rear is what I recommend.

The other issue is that most chains fit multiple sizes. You really need to fit the chains before you roll if you expect to actually use them. Several links often need to be removed or bring some bailing wire to tie them back. Don't forget the tensioners that are often sold separate. If your tires are not new leave an extra two links to fit the new tires.

Also good practice to know how to get them on.

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/ChainRequire.pdf

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/chcontrl.htm

http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist3/departments/mtce/chaincontrlmp.htm
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Oct 17, 2015
enblethen wrote:
You must carry tire chains in the western states if you are over 10,000 pounds. You must have chains for the farthest rear axle on your trailer.
Best is to stop by a Les Schwab. Buy the chains and then return them if you do not use them on your return trip.

Chain requirements

Chain requirements questions

I read the page and sure government likes to confuse citizens.
In one line it says
"ALL vehicles above 10,000lb"
On next line
"4WD and AWD are exempt"
WA chain requirements
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Oct 17, 2015
Funny, I was buying gas cans in BC's "American Tire", becouse they are better and cheaper than the stuff I could buy in US.
Can't imagine it would be opposite with snow chains.
enblethen
Nomad
Oct 17, 2015
You must carry tire chains in the western states if you are over 10,000 pounds. You must have chains for the farthest rear axle on your trailer.
Best is to stop by a Les Schwab. Buy the chains and then return them if you do not use them on your return trip.

Chain requirements

Chain requirements questions
Vinsil
Explorer
Oct 17, 2015
Good thing about Les Schwab is if you don't use them, return for full refund as well. Good piece of mind, especially if you don't "plan" to use them.
jimh406
Explorer III
Oct 17, 2015
Les Schwab is a good choice for dealer. I don't have a chain recommendation. There are dealerships all over Oregon and Washington. Oregon doesn't have sales tax.
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Oct 17, 2015
First, with 4WD you are not required to have chains, at least on CA freeways.
There is Caltrans requirement, that even with 4WD when you exceed certain weight, what I remember was about 15k lb you still need chains, so if you have heavy camper, you might want to check it.
Worse come to worse, I would not get chains unless you are really planning driving in deep snow.
Cables are much lighter, much easier to put on and much safer for the vehicle fenders, while will give you all the traction you might need in emergency.
I don't think the chains on the picture, with spikes would be legal on most of the freeways anyway.

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