Oregon "CARRY CHAINS" requirement ?

Many areas that require chains seems like a state sponsored money racket. Like California where they have workers on each end selling chains and charging to take on or off. Here in AZ they post chains or 4x4 recommended and if it gets bad enough they just close down the highway completely. Seems to work just fine.

In 44 1/2 years in a truck, crossing I-84 more times than I can count I have been checked physically one time. This was near the start of carry season near Hood River, OR. At the time I was dragging doubles around with a three axle tractor. I had to lay out chains on ground so Smokey could count them and inspect condition. I laid out three 3-railers, and 8 singles. Smokey was strutting around like a peacock with a big smirk on his face. He made a comment about delaying me told him that when I got back in truck I was going to enter 40 minuets for chain time and is would pay $22.50/hr. Grin disappeared as did I.

Been through the drive by checks several times and as long as they saw chains in the rack they were happy. Could have wrapped a tow chain around the rack several times and they would have never known the difference.

Never known or heard of a non-commercial vehicle getting checked but never asked anyone either. Now if your caught barefoot when the sign is up, all bets are off especially when you get twisted up and rightfully so.

As far as myself I don't carry them, figure I'll wait it out. Driven too many miles in foul weather, why do so now?

Lwiddis wrote:
I did six months in an Oregon county jail for pumping my own gas, Mitch.

BAAHAAA Must have had gas confused with a bottle of Jack.

I have been stopped on the Siskiyous before along with others for a "chain Check" if you did not have 4 wheel drive.

Lwiddis wrote:
I did six months in an Oregon county jail for pumping my own gas, Mitch.

Should've waited for the station to open.

Lwiddis wrote:
I did six months in an Oregon county jail for pumping my own gas, Mitch.

and the rest of the story ?

In Colorado big trucks have to carry chains through the end of May. It does not pertain to private vehicles or RVs. However there are private vehicle (to include RV's) rules. Code 15 and 16 traction laws when in effect do pertain to private vehicles and code 16 does require chains on all vehicles on the roadway. I lived here for 25 years and while this rule 16 has only been in effect a few years I have never seen it implemented they close the road first as usually by that time there have been enough accidents that you cant get through anyway and they close it to clear the accidents which also allows the plows to get some what caught up. Sometimes it is too much even for them and they close the road until it stops snowing then the plows get out and clear then they reopen. I-70 usually closes only for accident clearing or avalanche control for the other lesser known roads wolf creek pass on 160 for example while they do a great job keeping it open I have seen it closed for days at a time.
colorado stuff https://www.codot.gov/travel/winter-driving/TractionLaw

More specific to Oregon
https://www.tripcheck.com/Pages/chain-laws.asp

I did six months in an Oregon county jail for pumping my own gas, Mitch.

The carry chain signs are probably going to be up during your trip - but I suspect that most vehicles traveling aren't carrying chains and the only way your going to be ticketed is if you get stuck in the middle of the road and become a hazard to others. If your concerned then buy some chains at Les Schwab - they allow you to return them after a certain time limit if you don't use them. If it were me I would check road conditions - if the roads are clear then don't sweat it.

In Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Colorado, Montana, California believe me if it's snowing and your on a mountain pass semi or otherwise an you do not have chains on you will be stopped and fined.

If there is no snow then they will not stop or check to see if you have them, in most states out west the law states you must carry chains November thought April for large trucks.