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snow chains and 4wd

nine_inch_rear

nine_inch_rear

Active member
Joined
Aug 30, 2005
Location
Dublin
Moto(s)
08 Duc Hyper S,
Name
Stephen
I clipped this statement from caltrans website. If I read this correctly, if I enter an area that is "chains required" with my 4wd truck, that I need to have them in my possession. Installing them is up to my discretion if I feel I have a traction issue? Or does LEO enforce them installed at chain check points depending on weather

"If I have 4-wheel-drive, do I need to carry chains?"

Yes. Even though weather conditions may not warrant the use of chains on 4-wheel-drive vehicles at a particular time, to enter a chain control area, you must have a set of chains (for one drive axle) for your vehicle in your possession. If conditions worsen or you have trouble controlling your vehicle, you must stop and install the chains.
 
In my experience nobody checks - if you are awd/4wd you roll through.

However, I would not recommend heading into snow with no chains, unless you have studded tires.

It can snow really hard, and clearing equipment gets blocked when the idiots who follow each other nose to tail spin and clog up both lanes. Also at night there can be black ice, and signs stating chains required, ALL vehicles.

I've put chains on my awd cars twice in 15 years for the reasons above. Its good peace of mind to have them at other times.
 
Also there are 3 levels of chain control in CA:

1. Chains or snow tires required
2. Chains or 4wd with snow tires required
3. Chains required ALL vehicles

1 & 2 - you get through with 4wd/awd but should carry chains. 3 usually closes major highways shortly after anyway but does well to be heeded on back roads (black ice)
 
as a commercial driver. we tell the nubees.

better to have them, and not need them.

then to need them and not have them.

but if you head for the snow, take drinking water and food.
maybe a tow rope/jurk strap. you or another just might need a tug.


.
 
Reminds me of a time when I use to live in San Diego and I drove up to the San Bernardino mtns for a weekend.

On an 80 degree day without a cloud in the sky or a lick of water on the ground, I was stopped in my 4wd SUV w/all seasons and told that if I did not have chains I had to turn around. Turned around and took a different road to get to my destination. If memory serves correct, it didn't snow for a month on either side of that incident.

I just figured it was a SoCal standard to overreact to the chance of snow...
 
limey said:
Also there are 3 levels of chain control in CA:

1. Chains or snow tires required
2. Chains or 4wd with snow tires required
3. Chains required ALL vehicles

1 & 2 - you get through with 4wd/awd but should carry chains. 3 usually closes major highways shortly after anyway but does well to be heeded on back roads (black ice)
Click to expand...

^ this.
 
}Dragon{ said:
They will enforce them at the scene of a collision.
Click to expand...

This ^

And FYI...
The National Parks in the California Sierra's require ALL vehicles to carry chains in winter regardless if it's AWD/4X4. Only once (a number of years ago) was I required to chain up to leave Yosemite Valley with less than 2" of snow on the road even though I was driving my XJ with front and rear lockers and dedicated M/S tires. And "yes" you will be ticketed (if caught) if you attempt to drive out if they post the "Chains Required" signs.
 
FLH03RIDER said:
The National Parks in the California Sierra's require ALL vehicles to carry chains in winter regardless if it's AWD/4X4. Only once (a number of years ago) was I required to chain up to leave Yosemite Valley with less than 2" of snow on the road even though I was driving my XJ with front and rear lockers and dedicated M/S tires. And "yes" you will be ticketed (if caught) if you attempt to drive out if they post the "Chains Required" signs.
Click to expand...
Is this something new?

I've been to Yosemite in the winter without chains in my possession. For my younger kids, that was the first time that they had ever built a snowman. It was probably 20 years ago, since my youngest is now 28.
 
Just drove into tahoe today... took hwy 88 and 89 (plowed less frequently than hwy 50 or 80) with my 4WD silverado. No chains and I don't have true all terrain tires. Not a traction problem whatsoever but I have a locking rear diff.

Girlfriend's mom has an expedition with open diffs and noticed a little wheel spin when attempting a three point turn.

I know that doesn't directly answer your question but I've never installed chains on a 4WD.
 
Last edited:
Oh and BTW, it was condition 2: chains or 4WD with snow tires. The guy at the chain check station just signaled to me 2 or 4, I gave back a 4 signal and away I went, without so much as a check on his part
 
I think in "winter" you are required to carry them in the car/truck by law. I couldn't quote you chapter and verse on the statutes but up here in foothills only flatlanders cruise around without chains handy and are sneered at as we wait on them to clear the way, or drive by as they are getting pulled out. I'd imagine that the local tow companies love the flatlanders

You'd never be pulled over to check, but if you were involved in an incident that chains would have prevented and you don't have chains in your hoopty then bad things are in your future

In a chain control zone things get a bit wonky, but at a certain point you'll figure out when you need to pull over and install them based on traction.
 
Yes carry, but they will probably close the road before they require you to put them on 4wd.
 
No carved in stone rules on this... It depends on the conditions and changing conditions.

And the person checking doesn't know your abilities.
 
yes it is the law to carry chains in the mountains during winter. i believe its from mid November to April...the same time period you can have studded tires on..yes its illegal in most states, CA and NV, to drive on studded tires out of season (destroys the road). i have never seen a third level requirement active. i have spent many times at kirkwood tho when 88 is closed at kirkwood and the bottom of carson pass due to avalanche control. but they typically finish with that before 4pm to get the people out of kirkwood. although they will close west bound 88 at kirkwood and make people drive back to south lake. carson pass is probably the worst pass in a heavy storm because its very steep coming down to red lake. after that its relatively flat so you can do 50mph plowing thorugh 8 inches of snow :) if theres snow and your coming up to tahoe i highly reccomend 50 because it is much more travled and maintained. 88 is more for people who are comfortable driving in the snow. like i said, its a common sight to see people on 88 do 50mph when theres deep snow on the road. just remember you need to slow down for the corners!

just take it easy, leave space between you and the car in front..o and the worst are stop signs! alot of snow packs up at the line and turns to ice over night...anything in the shade as well.

And please, learn to put chains on before you come up and bring a rubber mat to put you knees on when you put them on.

dont forget to do snow donuts in the empty parking lots!!
 
legal vs practical

always had chains for rear axle of my 2WD station wagons, and used them on occasion.

after getting into Jeep Cherokees in 1998 always carried chains for all 4 tires. Never used them. One year wifey drove all the way in to Yosemite on hardpacked snow road - in 4WD low range.

New Jeep Liberty has traction control - even less need of chains - but - I really need decent tires for snowy roads. We bought it used with city tires.
 
explorin said:
yes it is the law to carry chains in the mountains during winter. i believe its from mid November to April...the same time period you can have studded tires on..yes its illegal in most states, CA and NV, to drive on studded tires out of season (destroys the road). i have never seen a third level requirement active. i have spent many times at kirkwood tho when 88 is closed at kirkwood and the bottom of carson pass due to avalanche control. but they typically finish with that before 4pm to get the people out of kirkwood. although they will close west bound 88 at kirkwood and make people drive back to south lake. carson pass is probably the worst pass in a heavy storm because its very steep coming down to red lake. after that its relatively flat so you can do 50mph plowing thorugh 8 inches of snow :) if theres snow and your coming up to tahoe i highly reccomend 50 because it is much more travled and maintained. 88 is more for people who are comfortable driving in the snow. like i said, its a common sight to see people on 88 do 50mph when theres deep snow on the road. just remember you need to slow down for the corners!

just take it easy, leave space between you and the car in front..o and the worst are stop signs! alot of snow packs up at the line and turns to ice over night...anything in the shade as well.

And please, learn to put chains on before you come up and bring a rubber mat to put you knees on when you put them on.

dont forget to do snow donuts in the empty parking lots!!
Click to expand...

can you please post up the cvc stating this.
 
I went around chain controls last week
Woooohooo 1 mile a hour drifting....
No brakes .except snow banks..
Steering and no stopping... 4x4 new BFGs all around
Ice ..totally fun...
 

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