Satisfying Oregon's Snow Zone Laws

[CarnationSailor]

I will be towing our 5th-wheel south from the Seattle area at the end of December to snowbird in the Palm Springs area. I plan on taking I-5 thru the Siskiyou Mountains in southern Oregon, and I know that it will be designated as a "Snow Zone" beginning on October 1st. As such, I will be required to carry "chains".

First of all, there is no way I will tow thru the Siskiyou Mountains unless I-5 is completely clear of snow. If there is snow on the road, I will take 101 along the coast. I am just looking for the cheapest way of satisfying the law by having "chains" in the truck.

According to the Oregon DOT website, "chains" is somewhat of a generic term. I quote, "First, remember that "chains" can be links, cable chains, or other devices that attach to the wheel, vehicle or outside of the tire that is specifically designed to increase traction in snow and ice."

Since my Silverado owner's manual states not to use chains on the tire size I have, I am considering buying two sets (one for the truck and one for the trailer) of "snow socks" such as "AutoSocks". They are about $100 per set, and in the extremely remote situation that I might actually need a traction device, they are compatible with my truck and trailer.

So, my question is: Does anyone know of a lower cost alternative for keeping the Oregon DOT happy?

[rhagfo]

wenglish wrote:
I've been thinking along similar lines - "how to get from WA to CA" for a possible snowbird trip this winter, and I *hate* installing chains.

A couple of you have mentioned highway 101 as an alternative - does that have any steep bits? (I can't really tell from Google maps, I guess I need to find a topo map of the area and brush up on my rusty topo map-reading skills).

Thanks.

Let’s see costal road that goes over headlands several times? The answer is yes! Most while somewhat steep are short about less than a mile long climb.

[donkeydew]

a friend got caught speeding near ashland.argued over ticket and was turned around because he didn't have chains. it was a dry day but they can enforce it if they so desire.

[BizmarksMom]

ksg5000 wrote:
Consider buying your chains from Les Schwab - if you don't use them you can return them for full refund. Worth a phone call - think you have to keep them a number of months b4 they allow you to return but it's still an inexpensive alternative.

This is exactly what I've done. I've kept them, because I travel 95 through Oregon frequently.

[wenglish]

Nice! Thanks very much.

[CarnationSailor]

wenglish wrote:
I've been thinking along similar lines - "how to get from WA to CA" for a possible snowbird trip this winter, and I *hate* installing chains.

A couple of you have mentioned highway 101 as an alternative - does that have any steep bits? (I can't really tell from Google maps, I guess I need to find a topo map of the area and brush up on my rusty topo map-reading skills).

Thanks.

Download Google Earth Pro (free), click on "Get Directions", enter starting and ending cities and click on "Get Directions" button (below the destination you entered, right-click on route displayed on earth (blue line) and select "Show Elevation Profile". The elevation profile will display at the bottom of the screen. Drag the cursor across the profile to see where on the route each elevation change occurs.

[wenglish]

I've been thinking along similar lines - "how to get from WA to CA" for a possible snowbird trip this winter, and I *hate* installing chains.

A couple of you have mentioned highway 101 as an alternative - does that have any steep bits? (I can't really tell from Google maps, I guess I need to find a topo map of the area and brush up on my rusty topo map-reading skills).

Thanks.

[wilber1]

I carry a set for truck and trailer but have no intention of ever using them, I just have them in case I am ever asked. The Siskiyou's get cleared very quickly so I will wait out a storm, check the highway cams and go through when the road is cleared.

[Grit_dog]

Having lived in snow country most of my life from the Midwest to Rockies to Cascades to Alaska, I’ve only felt the need for chains here in the greeesy cascade concrete.
I tow regularly in the winter and usually it’s when it’s snowing, to catch good snow for snowmobiling.
Sure there are icy conditions sometimes that would warrant them, or deep unplowed snow, but 90% of what I use chains for is forest roads with a 32’ snowmachine trailer.
Not worth it for the casual traveler especially if you have the ability to wait or change plans.
Note, what I’ve just said does not apply if your using your pavement pounder tires in the winter. If so, chains are the second line of defense for poor tires. After waiting for clear roads.

[rhagfo]

We have winter camped for many years, just carry chains as a matter of being prepared. Have towed home on snow covered roads, with 4X4 didn't need chains, just took it easy max speed about 45 up hill or down. Have set of cable chains in the 5er basement, TV in the bed mounted tool box.

[mountainkowboy]

I have a set of cables for Red, but I've only used them once and that was without the TC.

[Grit_dog]

I wouldn't even consider buying chains if your certain you won't be in the snow. As mentioned, state patrol doesn't care unless you need em and don't have em.
If your not comfortable going without chains only on the potential of getting fined, buy the cheapest $10 sets of chains off Craigslist you can find and voila. "Here's my chains officer!" Make sure they're rusty or muddy then your guaranteed he ain't gonna check if they're the right size!

[Ed_Gee]

I do not encourage violating the law, but I suspect the majority of vehicles going over the Siskiyous are not carrying chains when carrying them is required......yours truly included. Almost certainly not an issue during good weather.....

[George_H]

I bought truck tire chains from LS, just to meet the "carry chains" rules, LS said no return on truck chains. Years later they are laying in garage corner still unused (think I did have them out of bags once).

NOTE- to meet rules you need chains for truck and trailer, helps with trailer braking on ice/snow.

[ktmrfs]

ksg5000 wrote:
Consider buying your chains from Les Schwab - if you don't use them you can return them for full refund. Worth a phone call - think you have to keep them a number of months b4 they allow you to return but it's still an inexpensive alternative.

x2. and while my denali manual says no chains on the tires I have it is beyond me why chains wouldn't work on the rear if needed. And I did get a set of HD chains from Les for the denali and a few years ago I did need to use them even with 4wd (no trailer) no problems.

ODOT normally won't check for chains in decent weather. there are times they will either check or not even let you proceed w/o chains especially when towing. But the weather needs to be pretty extreme, weather where you would normally decide not to proceed.

Hint. In the winter we plan on being able to hit Canyonville (7 Feathers casino) before dark, stay at the RV park cheap for the night then go over the pass in the daylight after any bad weather clears.