Northern CA B.S thread

nice

 

Did you ever get that cab mount chop?

 

yeah i just pushed it back one day. The guy has my truck now and im picking it up at 300 tomorrow. He said he would take care of my pinch weld as well which is nice cause my hammer only got so far,

 

Nice man post pics and give the full details. I'm thinking about doing the same since I wanna change out my wheels and tires.

 

OK, sounds like you want the "driving the sierras for newbies" guide.

If you're going up there, you want to make sure you've got the "M+S" mud and snow all season tires. Tacos typically do. California doesn't require the "snowflake-on-a-mountain" symbol snow tires. Anyhow, it's pretty common for the CHP to go to chain control 1, which means all big trucks and buses must chain up. Cars & pickups have to chain up also, unless they have M+S tires. They impose this restriction pretty early - at this level, folks who've driven in snow a lot often wonder why there are restrictions at all.

Next up is chain control 2 - 4x4 with M+S tires is OK, but everyone else needs to put on tirechains/cables. It's snowing pretty good when they get to this level of control, and you'll usually have to go through a checkpoint.

They can go to chain control 3 - chains on all vehicles no exceptions. But the typical practice is that they just close the road before they get to that level. Still, even if you have a 4x4 it's prudent to carry tire chains.

Bay area news stations love to play up our sierra storms. "Big snow storm hits the sierras! Film at 11!" And they'll often tell you when a road has been closed, but are not usually so quick to let you know it's been reopened. ...So how do you know if the weather should cause you to change your plans? The watch word is "Winter Storm Warnings." If "Winter Storm Warnings" are in effect from the National Weather Service for the area you're going - probably best to postpone or cancel your trip. Under those circumstances you're likely to find closed roads, extensive delays, and may not be able to get where you want to go at all. Otherwise, it's just snowing and as long as you're prepared, it's going to be no big deal.

Finally, Caltrans has an 800 number you can always call, even from your cellphone, to find out current road conditions on specific highways. Great for getting up-to-date info on whether the road is open or not, and whether there are chain controls in effect or not.

If you might need to put on chains, practice in your driveway at home before you leave. It's much easier to figure all the little complexities out down here. Also, depending, you may need to use a pair of bolt cutters to cut off extra links so they don't flail around and hit your fenders. You'll only find this out the first time you install them. Along with your chains, pack a pair of thick durable gloves you don't mind getting filthy, (EDIT: a pair of pliers) and a jacket or sweatshirt you don't mind getting wet and filthy. I have a pair of old sailor's foul-weather gear that I keep just for the purpose. Folks sometimes mistake me for a chain installer when I'm doing my car, and ask if I'll do theirs next.

Follow the directions. Tight is right. After you've driven about a quarter mile, stop and check them and tighten them up if you can. Folks act like it's a big deal, but really once you know how to do it, it's pretty easy and no big hassle at all.

Chain installers usually charge very roughly about the same price as a single lift ticket at a major resort.

Pack an ice scraper, extra warm clothing, some water to drink in case you get stranded, and gas up when you get down to half a tank.

It's all pretty common sense stuff, really. No big deal. Make reasonable preparations, but don't over-think it.

 

Up here they do chain controls usually when its really bad or the rode is suspect. But I have an audi s4 and run racing tires and so far last year was only stopped after a crazy dumping in January. But I have never been stopped in cal or nv in the tacoma. THEY KNOW !!

 

cool, thanks.... I drove I80 a couplel times just never when it was snowing... I drove in first in February and there was a ton of snow just none on the I80, I also drove it in March to the same effect. Finally I drove it in June and it was obviously clear and warm. I just wanted to check what the weather patterns for this time of the year around I80.

 

Yep, that's typical. They're agressive in plowing and there's a lot of traffic. Only during/immediately after the snowstorm will there be snow or ice on the road.

By 24hrs after the last snowflake fell, the road surface will be dry.

 

Check it out. It gets my seal of approval. 250 bucks gets you no more tire rubbing and tons more clearance. Superior 4wd

 

Looks good but id do it myself for way less.

 

I just dont have the equipment or the time to do it myself.

 

I would still probably rub. looks clean though!

 

By ca law you must carry chains regardless of the tires you have on wether or not you use them.

 

That's an unenforced law I have never heard of anyone getting a ticket from not having chains. If you have a 2wd and dumb enough to not have them there is plenty of guys in the chain install area that will gladly sell you some for five times the price of retail.

 

About four years ago, my buddy got fined in his Subaru and the CHP was I total dick about it

 

That's a first I have never heard of anyone being ticketed for not having chains. And he was in a Subaru! they don't even make those guys chain up if they have the right tires.

 

Im going to hollister ill take pictures

 

This weekend?

 

right now lol

 

lol, have fun. wish i could ditch out on work!