Many New Expensive Trucks Can’t Follow California Winter Tire Chain Law

testerdahl

testerdahl

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Over the past few years, automakers have all released new off-road trucks with increasing large, knobby tires which you’d think would make them better for winter driving. However, these trucks loaded with off-road equipment can’t legally meet a California tire chain law for winter driving even though the state thinks otherwise. Tire Chains for Winter Driving First, what are tire chains and why should you use them? In the winter, there are certain times when the weather gets so bad, roads become almost impassable after being covered over with snow and ice. Even with a good set of tires, vehicles […] (read full article...)
 
That’s a weird rule. Usually if you have dedicated and true snow tires you do not need chains. Not just 3PSMF tires, actual snow tires. At least, that’s the case in Canada, but what do we know about snow and ice…

Do they have a lot of areas where this is required or are we talking about 2-3 side roads?
 
TheDo114 said:
That’s a weird rule. Usually if you have dedicated and true snow tires you do not need chains. Not just 3PSMF tires, actual snow tires. At least, that’s the case in Canada, but what do we know about snow and ice…

Do they have a lot of areas where this is required or are we talking about 2-3 side roads?
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Many of the major highway passes in Northern California. The famous ones like Donner pass.
 
I have lived in Tahoe for the past 30 years, I commute to the top of Donner Pass (those Damn Donners.....) every day, and was an active member of two of our local SAR teams, so I know a little about driving in CA snow. I bought chains before my first Tahoe winter and they have sat in the trunk/bed of my vehicle ever since, unused. When I got a new car, I would just transfer the chains from my old car, regardless of whether they fit my new tires. I always had good snow tires and AWD/4WD. Caltrans has asked me several times if I have chains with me and I say yes and they wave me through. I have never driven in R3 chain conditions (chains mandatory on all vehicles regardless of tire type or drive type), although I have heard about R3 conditions in certain areas during the worst storms. In general, Caltrans close the roads before they impose R3. The only exception I remember was during an unexpectedly bad storm when a bunch of tourons were trapped in Yosemite NP and Caltrans had to get them out of there because the Valley was running out of food. I think CA has particularly stringent chain regulations because the beaches are so close to the mountains and we can get so many tourons in the highlands who have never driven in or even seen snow before. YMMV.
 
Harpo said:
I have lived in Tahoe for the past 30 years, I commute to the top of Donner Pass (those Damn Donners.....) every day, and was an active member of two of our local SAR teams, so I know a little about driving in CA snow. I bought chains before my first Tahoe winter and they have sat in the trunk/bed of my vehicle ever since, unused. When I got a new car, I would just transfer the chains from my old car, regardless of whether they fit my new tires. I always had good snow tires and AWD/4WD. Caltrans has asked me several times if I have chains with me and I say yes and they wave me through. I have never driven in R3 chain conditions (chains mandatory on all vehicles regardless of tire type or drive type), although I have heard about R3 conditions in certain areas during the worst storms. In general, Caltrans close the roads before they impose R3. The only exception I remember was during an unexpectedly bad storm when a bunch of tourons were trapped in Yosemite NP and Caltrans had to get them out of there because the Valley was running out of food. I think CA has particularly stringent chain regulations because the beaches are so close to the mountains and we can get so many tourons in the highlands who have never driven in or even seen snow before. YMMV.
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"tourons." LOL.
 
Yeah, I always carried chains when I lived in Cali. Honestly, the only time I took them out of the nag was the test fit. Included them with the truck when I sold it. You really do not want to be out there any time when you actually need them anyway. I remember trucks in Oregon just had two chained up tires in their bed all winter, "just in case". I didn't get it, but I guess they felt changing tires on the side of the road was easier than installing chains. Now, I still carry chains for my Ram but I've only used them off-road.
 
Washington has the same laws, they don't care about tire type. If chains are required, you must use them. Also, you must carry them when traversing the mountain passes from 11/1 to 4/1.

Been driving over the passes for 25 years, hundreds of times, never needed them.

They have a few different warnings:
Traction tires advised - As it states
Traction tires required - Traction tires and 4x4 or AWD are ok
Chains advised - Traction tires and 4x4 or AWD are ok - Commercial must chain
Chains required - For this one, everyone must chain

Some of these may be off, I didn't look it up, just from memory.
 
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Fightnfire said:
Washington has the same laws, they don't care about tire type. If chains are required, you must use them. Also, you must carry them when traversing the mountain passes from 11/1 to 4/1.

Been driving over the passes for 25 years, hundreds of times, never needed them.

They have a few different warnings:
Traction tires advised - As it states
Traction tires required - Traction tires and 4x4 or AWD are ok
Chains advised - Traction tires and 4x4 or AWD are ok - Commercial must chain
Chains required - For this one, everyone must chain

Some of these may be off, I didn't look it up, just from memory.
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Glad to see you back man. I was wondering where you’ve been.
 
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