M+S or Winter tires required in western U.S.?

[noteven]

I did a search of DOT websites.

It appears M+S or winter (mountain-snowflake marked) tires are not required in WA, ID, MT, UT, CA, NV, AZ unless conditions warrant authorities to require them i.e. the "chain up/winter tire lights are on.." or road checks are in place due to conditions...

It appears carrying & installing chains when required on non M+S or winter tires is sufficient.

Please correct if I have this wrong.

Thanks

[Reddog1]

They look interesting. They appear to be pretty light in weight. I'm thinking about installing in the wet and cold.

[Bedlam]

My local Les Schwab has them on display and for sale. I also have not seen them in actual use and wonder how long they will last and how well they would do in wet slushy conditions.

[brholt]

Reddog1 wrote:

brholt wrote:
I've taken to carrying a pair of these along as they are very light and take up very little room.

Auto socks

Have you had the opportunity to see if they work?

What do they cost?

Wayne

I have not needed to use them. Since Washington (and I believe California) allow them in place of chains I figure they must work well.

I believe I paid around $70 but I could be wrong

[Reddog1]

brholt wrote:
I've taken to carrying a pair of these along as they are very light and take up very little room.

Auto socks

Have you had the opportunity to see if they work?

What do they cost?

Wayne

[noteven]

brholt wrote:
I've taken to carrying a pair of these along as they are very light and take up very little room.

Auto socks

Like - thanks for the link

[Bedlam]

I've owned 4wd vehicles since 1989 and always had chains for each of them, yet have never used them. Although I avoid towing during times where chain control is possible, I have no reservations taking the camper on the back of the truck.

[brholt]

I've taken to carrying a pair of these along as they are very light and take up very little room.

Auto socks

[Buzzcut1]

Practice put on chains in your driveway. don't wait until the road is a sheet of ice like this to try and figure them out

[noteven]

langenc wrote:
.... The days of good snow tires are gone.

Nokian "Hak 7's"

[langenc]

Along w/ what bka posted just above--

....carrying chains... doubling back to buy chains??? Ever think to try and install the chains? When chains are needed there is more to it than having them somewhere in a storage compartment.. Otherwise park it till the snow melts.

M/S tires are not much good in either-mud or snow. The days of good snow tires are gone.

[Reddog1]

I see chains like I see fire extinguishers, hopefully a waste of money because I never deeded them. I only carry my chains if there is a remote possibility of snow where I am going. I have had my current truck (2WD) for over ten years and have only installed my chains in my driveway a couple of time just for practice. On one occasion, going north towing my Samurai in California on I-5 I hit a snow storm and chain control. I have M/S tires.

The chain control guy said if I were not towing my M/S tires were all that was required. Towing, I would have to chain my truck drive axle. I could drop the Samurai (M/S tires) and drive it and the wife could drive the truck. The other option was wait out the storm. We3 chose to wait, and the road was cleared before we finished lunch.

[noteven]

I had the chain laws figured out.

Thanks for the responses & info around tires.

[sky_free]

enblethen wrote:
Second links says you must carry chains in chain areas. It even says at all times. That means year round.
Caltrans Chain guidelines

Carrying chains required in chain areas

The second link is from the "Legal Truck Access" page, which is meant for commercial trucks, but reading the actual vehicle code in section 27460 it looks like you are right and ALL 4WD vehicles must carry chains in chain control areas even when chains are not currently required. That definitely throws a wrench in my desire to not buy and carry chains that I will never use. Better safe than sorry.

Nevertheless, screeners have never asked me if I am carrying chains obviously. I have been through chain screening at least 100 times.

[enblethen]

Second links says you must carry chains in chain areas. It even says at all times. That means year round.
Caltrans Chain guidelines

Carrying chains required in chain areas