Were you checked for tire chains last winter?

I try not to ever have to go where I need them in the coach. Now my off road truck would eat it up.

It's been a long while since we needed tire chains, in the Tn valley but I do remember having to put the things on to get anywhere.
Winter came early and stayed late, on the mountain and in town.
They didn't spread salt on dirt roads or anywhere else.
Nothing laying in snow, trying to fasten the things on.

A couple of years ago,we were spending some time in CA and decided to go up I-5
with just the TV,to see our grandson at a bike race.With the weather kind of iffy I bought a set of chains from Wally World.Didn't need them,when we got back to CA,I took them back and got a refund.
Kind of a free loan.WM gets plenty of my $$ so I don't feel bad.:)

dave54 wrote:

The Texan wrote:

Water-Bug wrote:


Chains are usually not required on 4WD vehicles.

Out west that is not the case. We drive a 4x4 and still are required to carry chains or cables.

True.

Not common, but in severe winter storms you can have a '4wd only with chains on all four tires' restrictions.

Yep, have seen that restriction 2x, once this year......

The Texan wrote:

Water-Bug wrote:


Chains are usually not required on 4WD vehicles.

Out west that is not the case. We drive a 4x4 and still are required to carry chains or cables.

True.

Not common, but in severe winter storms you can have a '4wd only with chains on all four tires' restrictions.

GordonThree - I, too, drive a Suby - mine's a Forester. My '01 didn't have any chain restriction - the recommendation was to put them on the front tires. So since then that's what I've done, even on my '09 Forester. Just this winter I RTFM (read the ... manual) for the '09 - states chains not recommended! Well...I'd already used 'em for 4 winters! The issue is CLEARANCE, not a lot of room between the inside of the tire and the struts/brake lines/etc. 4WD or AWD, when you're on ice, you need chains. You can get a "Class S" type chain (reduced clearance) model, which is what I have (www.tirechain.com). Max speed is about 30mph - which is fast if you are on ice and need chains!!! DD runs an Outback and I got her the same set that I have - she uses them around Truckee in the winter. Hope this helps! ST

Water-Bug wrote:


Chains are usually not required on 4WD vehicles.

Out west that is not the case. We drive a 4x4 and still are required to carry chains or cables.

Atlee wrote:
I don't drive anywhere tire chains are required. Hopefully, they are not required in and around Yellowstone in late May/early June.

I've been stopped on I-80 at Donner's Summit, on Memorial Day weekend, for chain restrictions.

Water-Bug wrote:

GordonThree wrote:
Concerned about chains myself for an upcoming early spring trip... but I wonder?

What do the police do when your car maker has it in bold letters DO NOT USE TIRE CHAINS ... for example my Subaru Outback, the manual expressly states several times Subaru does not condone tire chains.

Pretty sure the manual for my new RAM recommends tire chains only for 2wd models, will double check.

Chains are usually not required on 4WD vehicles.

I have not used chains since 1980, I hate them and they are not absolutely required when the signs say "chains required". Almost all states are now going with "traction devices required", this includes all three Pacific states. I have two different style cable sets, the old standard simple straight across cables like most chains and the "Z" type. Both are accepted in CA and I bet in most states. Chains work on Subaru and a lot of other small cars with minimal clearance.

I don't know about the other 48 states but CA and OR do have requirements for 4 X 4's. I have been checked in both states by highway patrol. The minimum requirement is M&S tires, traction devises for all wheel and 2 wheel drive vehicles and ALL VEHICLES.

I have been checked in both states.

While I live in Los Angeles where chains have not been needed since 1949, the DW and I own a home in the Eastern Sierra and believe me when I say 4X4's are required to carry traction devices when the basic requirement for chains is posted and use is required when the NO EXCEPTION sign is showing and normally in our little town that of Mammoth Lakes.

Gonzo42 wrote:
On our way into Yosemite a couple of weeks ago the CHP at Fish Camp advised us that we would be turned back at the gate without chains. So we went back down to Oakhurst and got chains, then U-turned again to go into the park.

And that's why, even though we were touring LA, all the way from the east coast, I didn't attempt to go to Yosemite. I would have loved to visited the place, but I didn't want to buy a set of chains for the front and rear axle of the truck, along with a set for one of the axles on the TT.