Carry chains- Travel Trailer and Class A Question???

[DAS26miles]

My friends, one has a small pick and ultra-lite TT and the other with a 32ft Class A. We want to go to Yosemite in the coming months and the Park states that you must carry tire chains. I have been up there many times with my Class C and I have chains and only put them on once. Never again. Will wait it out until roads clear.
Question, what should my friends do, buy chains? Do they even make a set for the 19" Class A's. And what would the friend with the TT have to do? We will all just wait it out and never put them on.

[rhagfo]

If you chose to travel in winter you need to be prepared for all conditions! The reason for chains is two fold.
1. Your and others safety.
2. To keep traffic moving!

[OLYLEN]

I think Les Schwab still has a deal, you purchase chains then in the spring if unused they buy them back. Your legal and don't have to use them.

LEN

[PA12DRVR]

Even though I've been putting chains on vehicles since I was 16 (and that was an unfortunate 4+ decades ago), it is still a PITA.

That being said, while one won't travel fast, there's nothing quite as secure feeling as being fully chained up on a slippery road...whether it's mud for the 4WD pickup or a dusting of snow on top of ice at 20F, chains on the front, chains on the rear (or drive axle if multiple rears) and on the right trailer axle make a very solid drive.

[blt2ski]

Local pass report with chain requirements added to conditions. Not that one needs chains today.......

Temperature:
51ºF / 10ºC
Elevation:
3022 ft / 921 m
Restrictions Eastbound:
No restrictions

Restrictions Westbound:
No restrictions

Conditions:
The roadway is bare and wet. Vehicles over 10,000 lbs. G.V.W. must carry chains over the mountain passes Nov. 1 to April 1.
Weather:
Light rain

I will also point out, the 10K gvw is total weight potential of vehicle, be it a single or multiple unit, ie a MH and towed car, truck and trailer are examples of a multiple unit. single rig like a MH.

Marty

[blt2ski]

Washington states laws use 10k lbs, be it gvw or gcw, greater than this, when traction.devices required, means you chain up as noted.
I used to chain up at least 1-3 times on ave per winter taking my tt to the local ski.area 12-16 weekends per winter. When I was chained, glad I.was. even with.a 4x and traction tires.

Marty

[DAS26miles]

May get the tire chains for my friend with the 03 Fleetwood 32V. Anyone know the tire size and if dual set will fit or just the outer. Is there enough clearance for chain or will he need cables?

[DAS26miles]

Going to tell my friends they need to get chains just to carry. We will check weather before leaving and plan accordingly. We're all retired and can wait for better weather. If it should snow while we are up there, we can just wait it out.
Case closed, thanks.

[Tom_Barb]

I normally love a trailer equipped with a surge brake, except on slippery roads.

Chain that sucker up. or watch it in your side mirrors.

[rhagfo]

Another great reason to tow with a 4X4!!!
I also have a set of chains for the TV and 5er!

[slickest1]

I too have a set of cable chains that I have had for 5 years. They are still shiney from not being used. I also have a set for the toad in same condition.
If stopped and asked I am legal.
I spent many winters in Northern BC hauling logs and chained several times a day. I do not want to do it any more and I adjust my travel to what the road conditions are going to be . It has worked so far except for one time.
We got caught in a bad snow storm by Jasper National Park and the snow was getting really thick on the road. Our old coach is so heavy it handled like a dream with no problem, even uphill and down. Not for everyone though.

[Harvey51]

Last October we took a motorhome trip through mountains in southeastern British Columbia. I knew I was required to carry chains. Looking in local stores I found "cable chains" which are much lighter to carry, inexpensive, and somewhat easier to put on. I tried them out before the trip and they definitely helped traction, though not as much as heavy chains. I took them along on the trip, not needing them at all, but nice to have. I carried them in my van all last winter without using them. They fit the 16 inch MH wheels and 15 inch on the old 3/4 ton van and the minivan. I think cable chains are a good choice when likely to be needed only rarely.

[wa8yxm]

They have tire chain check stations so if the law says "You must have tire chains".

Well. you have two choices

1: Carry chains. or chain equivlent (See note below)
2: Don't go there at that time of year wait till you can go w/o chains.


Now.. There are some devices that are not the classic tire chains, which can really mess you up, but are designed to lock on TIGHT to the tire, and work much like chains they meat the chain law requirements far as I know (Never tried) but they are not as likely to damage your vehicle.

My SOlution by the way was option 2 above. Don't go there during chain season.

[Grit_dog]

^^Same here, kinda. After 25years of driving in the upper Midwest, Rockies, Cascades and Alaska, I've only used chains in WA, on unplowed, packed, icy steep forest roads, and last year, lol to get out of a parking lot with my trailer and really crappy tires on the truck. Oh and to get a skid steer back up out of my yard cause it was so muddy.
But for that stunt I had to use planks for flotation traction d up with chains screwed to them in combo with chains on a 4s on the skidster to crawl out! Lol

But if I was going on vacation and the sign said "you need tire chains to go on your vacation" then I'd have chains.

[mowermech]

IIRC, I have used chains twice in my life.
Once in Idaho, when crossing Fourth Of July Pass in a VW bug. I drove about 5 miles, then took them off. The chance of getting a ticket was very slim, and the chains made that Bug drive like it had square tires!
Then there was the time coming over Donner Pass from CA to NV, in a Dodge 3500 4X2 towing a trailer that had a car on it. I put chains on the truck, but instead of putting the chains on the trailer I turned the brake controller off. I figured that at 25 MPH trailer brakes weren't very important. The inspector at the check point agreed with me and allowed me to proceed. No problem; nothing bent, nothing broke, nobody was injured or died.
I have lived in Montana most of my life. At the present time, the only tire chains I own are the double linked set for the ATV, for use when plowing snow.
I hope I won't have to use them until Christmas!