Big Bear Snow Run

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bpenn1980

bpenn1980

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sounds interesting....i'm down for some snow wheelin. if i can make it back
 
Quick question. I'm looking for 285/75/16 chains and cant find them anywhere. Anyone have a suggestion on where I can find them? Thanks
 
bpenn1980 said:
Anyone have an LA or IE spot to buy these? I've got a place lined up in Redlands to buy chains, but I'd rather get the RUD chains.
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No, but I bought them from chainsrequired a year or two ago. I believe they're in norcal, but it was free shipping. Paid $233.81 for a set of 4 (rudgrip 4x4) to my door. Their number is 1-800-327-3806. Got them pretty quickly from what I remembered. Or you can call Rud and ask for distributors, that's how I found chainsrequired.

Man they're freaking heavy, just took them out of the garage and put them in the back of the rig.
 
Ill be heading out to Big Bear tommarow morning, and returning on Saturday. If you guys decide to put together a run, let me know, I can try to make it.

Call or e-mail I check both frequently.

818 822 4233
hntashdjian@gmail.com


Harry
 
SOCALFJ said:
We have these,

4x4 Snow Chains article by Bill Burke
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My Dad & I were discussing chains the other day because he found some at the local thrift store for $10 and he thinks they may fit my truck so he grabbed them. But since our rigs are full time four wheel drive do you put them on the front or back? Or do you need a full set of four?
 
Burke's article says to put them on the front, unless you're going to be going downhill for a while, then maybe take the time to switch them to the back. Better to have them on all four though.
 
Bluto said:
What trails are you thinking of?
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Not 100%, but Holcomb Valley has a lot of mild trails that could be very fun in the snow. Or some of the forest roads on the south side of the valley that will be very cold and hard.

hntashdjian said:
Ill be heading out to Big Bear tommarow morning, and returning on Saturday. If you guys decide to put together a run, let me know, I can try to make it.

Call or e-mail I check both frequently.

818 822 4233
hntashdjian@gmail.com


Harry
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Hi Harry, I'd like to get some guys together for something fun. I dont want to get too crazy, but just have a nice day adventure. I'll let you know if we can get anything together. I'll be up there all week, so hopefully we can find a time.
Brad
 
Chains Placement:

I can only afford 1 set but Ill probably put mine in the rear. My thought follows weight distribution - more engine wt on the front helping traction compared to rear wheels. Going uphill - need rear traction; going downhill and get stuck on the front Ill need the rears to pull me up/out. And getting forward movement stuck on thick snow - you have to back out. Just saying - and of course Im not Bill Burke so dont listen to me. :D

Im scheduled to work this weekend but because of the holidays and low pt census - I might get cancelled anyhow. Ill try to make it. Ill look for updates on this thread.
 
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bpenn1980 said:
Not 100%, but Holcomb Valley has a lot of mild trails that could be very fun in the snow. Or some of the forest roads on the south side of the valley that will be very cold and hard.
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The trails on the north side, in Holcomb Valley are great for snow wheelin. If you stick to the valley floors theres not much of a chance of slipping/skidding off a cliff either.:D We were up there several times last year in the snow. We tried to drive some of the trails on the south side of the lake and found that all of them were closed. They call it "seasonal closure", but regardless of what it's called chances are they are closed. I would check with the ranger station before you go and find out whats open.

Our favorite route to drive in the snow is Polique Canyon to Holcomb Valley road (3N16) to Van Dussen.

Edit: I just spoke to the them on the phone and confirmed that all the roads on the south side of the lake are indeed closed for the winter.

What dates were you guys thinking of going?
 
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cmjrfan8 said:
...What dates were you guys thinking of going?
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Im hoping you guys plan something for Jan and Feb snow runs. I have a better chance of going South ways (Big Bear area) next year - since I seldom go that direction.
 
No organized run happened but I had some crazy snow experiences up there this trip. On Christmas day evening a friend of my parents was coming out to the house. Wind was gusting 60mph and snowing lightly = zero visability. I've never seen ANYTHING like it. She got her 4runner stuck in a huge drift about 300 yards from my parents house out in the middle of no where. She hiked towards the lights on our house cross country to get us. My dad and I went out in their truck to tow her out. It was a close to what I imagine conditions are like in Antarctica! Finally got her out and she managed to turn around to get out. My dad and I got lost on our few hundred yard drive back to the house....we couldnt see anything and our tracks had been erased by the snow. I had to get out on foot with one of those ridiculously large flashlights and find the road to guide him back home.

Other than that, a few things I learned:

1- Doing donuts is impossible in an 80 :D
2- Steering in deep snow with lockers engaged is almost impossible
3- You can get an 80 stuck in deep snow.....but, you can turn the dial and get unstuck :lol:

Brad
 
Brad,

RE: #1 above - LOL! I remember trying the exact same thing in 1995-1996 out in Breckenridge with the 80. Had to do a grocery run, so nobody but me in the truck...time to play an see what this thing can and can't do in the snow...It can't do a donut! We had an epic 6 feet of snow the week we were there and I couldn't get stuck anywhere.
 
Can't do it in a Jeep Rubicon Unlimited either. My buddy who has a regular short wheelbase Jeep can do them, but for some reason my longer wheelbase just won't work.
 
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