Oregon/Washington Craigslist Ads

Studded tires are not an exemption from chain requirements.....

 

If anyone is getting rid of a OEM Ton Cover I am looking to install one on my 2020 5ft bed.

 

https://eugene.craigslist.org/pts/d/eugene-rack-it-rack-and-leer-shell-for/7002284785.html

 

If the pass says "chains required" you will get a ticket running studded tire only. Ask me how I know...

 

https://medford.craigslist.org/pts/d/klamath-falls-new-tacoma-tonneau-cover/6976599065.html

 

How do you know?

Seriously though, how much was the ticket? For risk assessment purposes.

 

This was years ago. I was going to CWU and was driving back home over the pass with a front wheel drive car and snow/studded tires only. The sign said "chains required". People were pulling over to chain up and me being a cocky college kid just kept on going thinking I was good with just the snow/studded tires. Well I was pulled over and was given a ticket for not running chains and for sliding all over the road. I also had to get off the HWY and either turn around or wait for the snow to stop.

 

https://www.wsdot.com/winter/tires-chains.htm#studded

Chains and alternatives
Those traveling into higher elevations should carry chains and have approved traction tires whenever winter weather is possible, especially Nov. 1 through March 31.

Studded tires do NOT satisfy state chain requirements; if chains are required, they'll have to installed on top of studded tires.

4WD/AWD and chains
4WD/AWD vehicles (under 10,000 pounds) do not need chains installed during "chains required" notices, but drivers still must carry chains with them in case conditions worsen and they're required to install chains during a "chains required on all vehicles" notice.

 

That doesn't mean they meet the requirements when chains are required.

The following all qualify as "traction devices" in Washington:
WAC 204-24-040
Traction devices.
The following equipment items are approved by the state patrol for use as traction devices wherever traction devices are required by the department of transportation:
(1) Tire chains meeting the standards in WAC 204-24-020.
(2) Studded tires meeting the standards in WAC 204-24-030.
(3) Approved traction tires. An approved traction tire must have the following tread characteristics:
(a) A minimum of 4/32 inch tread, measured in the center portion of the tire at three locations equally spaced around the circumference of the tire.
(b) A relatively aggressive tread pattern designed primarily to provide additional starting, stopping, and driving traction on snow or ice. The tread must have ribs, lugs, blocks or buttons the edges of which are at an angle greater than thirty degrees to the tire circumferential centerline.
(c) On at least one side of the tread design, the shoulder lugs protrude at least 1/2-inch in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of travel.
(d) Tires manufactured to meet these specifications must:
(i) Be permanently labeled on at least one sidewall with the words "mud and snow" or any contraction using the letters "M" and "S" (e.g. MS, M/S, M-S, M & S, etc.); or
(ii) Be permanently labeled on at least one side wall with the mountain/snowflake symbol.

So when the signs say "Traction Tires Advised" or "Traction Tires Required", any of these 3 options will suffice. My tires have the 3PMSF mark, so they qualify as "traction devices" in WA. However, when chains are called, then Traction Devices are no longer enough on their own, including studded tires:

RCW 47.36.250
Dangerous road conditions requiring special tires, chains, or traction equipment—Signs or devices—Penalty.
(1) If the department or its delegate determines at any time for any part of the public highway system that the unsafe conditions of the roadway require particular tires, tire chains, or traction equipment in addition to or beyond the ordinary pneumatic rubber tires, the department may establish the following recommendations or requirements with respect to the use of such equipment for all persons using such public highway:
(a) Traction advisory - oversize vehicles prohibited.
(b) Traction advisory - oversize vehicles prohibited. Vehicles over 10,000 GVW - chains required.
(c) Traction advisory - oversize vehicles prohibited. All vehicles - chains required, except all wheel drive.
(2) Any equipment that may be required by this section shall be approved by the state patrol as authorized under RCW 46.37.420.
(3) The department shall place and maintain signs and other traffic control devices on the public highways that indicate the tire, tire chain, or traction equipment recommendation or requirement determined under this section. Such signs or traffic control devices shall in no event prohibit the use of studded tires from November 1st to April 1st, but when the department determines that chains are required and that no other traction equipment will suffice, the requirement is applicable to all types of tires including studded tires. The Washington state patrol or the department may specify different recommendations or requirements for four wheel drive vehicles in gear.
(4) Failure to obey a requirement indicated under this section is a traffic infraction under chapter 46.63 RCW subject to a penalty of five hundred dollars including all statutory assessments.


Honestly this is the main reason the pass is closed: People in AWD/4WD vehicles, and/or with studded tires, thinking "I'm exempt!" followed by "Oh shit, I'm stuck!" or worse, crashed into someone or something, blocking lanes, etc. Per WSDOT: "For the past several years, more than half of the closures on I-90 Snoqualmie Pass have been due to vehicles ignoring a chain-up requirement and then getting into collisions and blocking lanes."
https://wsdotblog.blogspot.com/2018/12/chain-up-or-pay-up-this-winter-on.html

 

You want chains here. I’ve lived in Pennsylvania too and it’s not comparable at all. Driving in the snow is easy. What happens out here sometimes is if it snows in Portland or Seattle, chances are it was rainy before. When the temperature suddenly drops all that moisture under the snow freezes, meaning you’re driving on snow with a nice ol layer of ice underneath. Also, we have mountains here which they don’t have in Iowa. I’ve driven in way sketchier conditions out here than I’ve ever seen in the northeast, chances are you’ll never need them in a 4x4 if you have good tires, but the laws there for good reason. Just buy the damn chains, if you get em at Les Schwab you can return them in the spring if you didn’t use them.

 

Size and tread pattern?

Washington does a level where traction devices are required, and a level where chains are required. The studs don't qualify for the chains required, but they do for traction devices. Automatic chains also don't satisfy the chains required.

 

Do my Maxtrax count?

 

No, but they work pretty well for stuck semis on ice.

 

Ok but any snowflake or M+S tire qualifies for traction devices.

 

but not all studded tires are snowflakes.

 

It’s 2019, I don’t think you’re allowed to call them snowflakes anymore......

 

Shit. I'll begin drafting a formal apology.

 

@TexMeg89 See what he said about you?

 

Anyone need some used Total Chaos UCA’s?

 

Not in Washington!

RCW 47.36.250
Dangerous road conditions requiring special tires, chains, or traction equipment—Signs or devices—Penalty.
(1) If the department or its delegate determines at any time for any part of the public highway system that the unsafe conditions of the roadway require particular tires, tire chains, or traction equipment in addition to or beyond the ordinary pneumatic rubber tires, the department may establish the following recommendations or requirements with respect to the use of such equipment for all persons using such public highway:
(a) Traction advisory - oversize vehicles prohibited.
(b) Traction advisory - oversize vehicles prohibited. Vehicles over 10,000 GVW - chains required.
(c) Traction advisory - oversize vehicles prohibited. All vehicles - chains required, except all wheel drive.
(2) Any equipment that may be required by this section shall be approved by the state patrol as authorized under RCW 46.37.420.
(3) The department shall place and maintain signs and other traffic control devices on the public highways that indicate the tire, tire chain, or traction equipment recommendation or requirement determined under this section. Such signs or traffic control devices shall in no event prohibit the use of studded tires from November 1st to April 1st, but when the department determines that chains are required and that no other traction equipment will suffice, the requirement is applicable to all types of tires including studded tires. The Washington state patrol or the department may specify different recommendations or requirements for four wheel drive vehicles in gear.
(4) Failure to obey a requirement indicated under this section is a traffic infraction under chapter 46.63 RCW subject to a penalty of five hundred dollars including all statutory assessments.

And https://www.wsdot.com/winter/tires-chains.htm

"There is no individual exception to the studded tire season. When traveling in Washington, you are required to follow the State of Washington's motor vehicle laws.

Studded tires do not satisfy state chain requirements. If chains are required on your vehicle, you'll have to install them even on studded tires."


Shit @scollins beat me too it.