Snow Chains

I just moved to CA from Upstate NY and I need someone to school me up on snow chains.

From what I've heard/read CA requires you to at least carry chains even if you're AWD/4WD with snow or all season tires?

I grew up driving in snow in the Adirondacks and VT, and I've never actually used snow chains. How necessary are they here? Does anyone actually carry chains in their 4wd? Does CHP check for them in your truck ever?

Also, I have a Audi A4 with Quattro. I plan on skiing a LOT this winter, and depending on how much snow is on the roads I will probably drive the A4 more than my Tacoma. Are the laws any different for an AWD with all seasons?

 

In Ca, if they determine the roads too slick, then, yes, they can require chains, normally, though, 4 wheel and awd are just fine and dandy..oh, I am from California....and I skied a lot in the Lake Tahoe region..

Too add, they may or may not check, best to carry them with you, or they could turn you back......

 

Has anyone ever seen snow chains required on a 4x4 though? Or is it just something they "could" do?

 

I've driven from Placerville (no snow area) up 50 to Tahoe many times. Never once had to have chains, even on days when it was coming down pretty good and the roads weren't plowed. I usually drive my dad's ford excursion that just has rugged trail tires and 4WD. Never once gotten asked to put on chains at the checkpoints they have.

 

I've never owned chains. don't plan on it. been to tahoe so many times last couple years, the guys always smile and wave right through when they see my truck.

You are supposed to have them though

 

I have a cabin at the top of Donner Summit. Lived in Incline Village for 6 years. Would not be any place near the Sierra's without chains. Take the drive up Donner pass Rd from Truckee with snow and ice and I can pretty much expect to find you off the road or over the side.

Go off road, get stuck in a white out, deal with ice and snow, they are cheap insurance.

While working up there, watched lots of 4x4 rigs go by at 20, 30, 40 mph, even 50. If they didn't have to stop, turn a corner or deal with a grade, were fine.

 

My family has a cabin up in north Tahoe....I just bought a set of chains just in case. I've never been stuck going up or coming back, just when I've been staying up there.

A couple years ago I was stuck in the driveway and it took hours to get out. The roads around the cabin don't get plowed until the major roads are done first, so if it dumps it'll be a long night.

This is what I got now....Test fitted them in the garage and it literally took less than 5 minutes a side to put on.

 

Nice set

I ordered and like:

RudGrip 4x4 chanins

 

Awesome. Can't beat having radio comms in the truck

 

As most of my family lives up north, have made that trip many times at Christmas. the stretch north of Yreka, can be very very nasty. the worst was when the sun melts the snow on the road as it passes, and freezes right back up in 15 - 30 min. One year, the ONLY ones allowed past the checkpoint were vehicles with chains on. You would go around a banked corner at 10 mph and proceed to slide into the divider unless you had them.

 

Man those look nice...

 

Any scratches on your wheels?

 

I haven't had them in the snow yet but the cables aren't close to the rims at all. The cables are by SCC.

 

Thanks. I have the same wheels and color and the powdercoat on them is very weak

 

Do you think if I bought some bulk chain and threw it in a bucket, they'd know the difference?

 

^ Now that's funny!

Thanks,

Brett

 

Maximus


Regarding the type of chain you purchased, the cable chains pale in comparison to the actual 'all chain' type of chains as far as traction goes with these trucks, I had the style you have and they purely sucked, then got regular all chain link type and traction improved tremendously, just sayin'....

 

Heres a link to CalTrans chain requirement info.

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/trucks/ops-guide/chains.html

 

i've used chains in mud, on ice, and deep snow. Deflating tires to increase contact patch is also a best practice option. Remember to check and tighten the chains after a couple of miles down the road.

Nothing like the feeling, prior to putting on chains, of climbing an icy forestry road, slowing down from lack of traction, then having the truck move backwards down the hill. Aimed the back of the truck to the nearest snow bank, then chained up the truck, and climbed out of the snowbank and up the rest of the hill.