Snow chains vs. DOT rated snow tires

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S.CarolinaFZJ80

S.CarolinaFZJ80

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Question for you guys, I am thinking of heading up to Mt. Laguna today.... I have DOT rated snow tires i.e. GY DuraTracs.

However, some websites say that snow chains are required when snow is on the road and others say just snow tires.
Since this info was unclear, I decided to look on the CA DOT.

I checked with the DOT website and it shows 3 different ratings; R1,R2 & R3.
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/chcontrl.htm

R1 says if you have 4 wheel drive that you are exempt from having snow tires or chains.
R2 says that a 4wheel drive needs snow tires and chains carried with you.
R3 says chains need to be on the vehicle.

My question is where do you find this rating at? All of the sites I found simply said "chain controls in effect" with no rating.
i.e. http://sdcdpw.org/emergency.html

Any input would be appreciated as I don't want to waste the gas & time only to be turned away or worse, ticketed for not having chains.

Thanks in advance!

*note - I cross posted this on the San Diego Cruisers clubhouse page too.
 
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My experience heading up to Big Bear/Lake Arrowhead is that there is always a CHP running an inspection and that if you don't have what they want they just turn you back.

That having been said I've been turned back when I had my old 4runner with some BFG ATs and I've been allowed to pass with my last Land Cruiser with 37" KM2s.

I didn't have chains with me on either occasion. That's just my experience however. YMMV and stuff.
 
I've driven thru chain check points up I-80 to Donner Pass and have had the check point close less than 1/2 hour twice on me. Neither time did they require I put on chains in the cruiser. I was just running the stock LTX tires at the time too. I was carrying chains and was asked if I had them. Never have experienced the check points here in SoCal, but have heard they will tell you to put your chains on regardless more frequently down here. Remember, native Californians DON"T know how to drive snow like those of us raised elsewhere that did learn to drive snow and ice. CHP doesn't know or care.
 
Thanks Matt & Brent.

I have since found this CalTrans Map that shows icons of where chains are required (must click check box on the screen to show it though)
Caltrans - Quickmap

Mt. Laguna looks clear now but Big Bear & Lake Arrowhead areas require them according to this link.
 
SOCALFJ said:
Also, if you can borrow a pair of chains "Just to show" the CHP at the check point, they'll waive you on.. you won't need to necessarily install them with the tires we run. They just want to make sure you have a set in case.
Click to expand...


I have had the same scenario twice. The first I was in my built 4Runner with original BFG Mud Terrains 33" but did not have chains. They turned me around and after getting the expected no every place I tried to find some chains big enough I rolled the dice and bought some chains for 235/75/15 tires. I rolled up and the same officer asked if I had some chains and I showed him the rather small chain box and he waved me through.
The second time they just asked and trusted my yes. Must be a Toyota thing. :grinpimp:
 
A friend of mine had a duct taped shoe box full of old silverware. When asked if he had chains he would grunt while lifting the box and give it a little shake. Worked every time.
 
boydmick said:
A friend of mine had a duct taped shoe box full of old silverware. When asked if he had chains he would grunt while lifting the box and give it a little shake. Worked every time.
Click to expand...

:lol:
 
boydmick said:
A friend of mine had a duct taped shoe box full of old silverware. When asked if he had chains he would grunt while lifting the box and give it a little shake. Worked every time.
Click to expand...


Classic!
 
boydmick said:
A friend of mine had a duct taped shoe box full of old silverware. When asked if he had chains he would grunt while lifting the box and give it a little shake. Worked every time.
Click to expand...

That is pretty funny.
 
live up here on a mtn. in so.cal 18years so far never have to use chain

DSCN1033.webp


DSCN1044.webp


DSCN1041.webp
 
Thanks for the info guys.


I like that box trick! Too funny.

I too have never used chains as I never needed them, especially in a 4 wheel drive, I just didn't want to get a ticket from the People's Republic of California.

Anyway, I asked the CHP at Sunrise Hwy. about which rating it was (i.e. R1, R2 or R3) and was told by the CHP officer that he didn't know. He added that before today, he didn't even know there was such a rating!?!? Apparently someone else asked him as well.

Then the CHP officer asked if my lifted, built 80 was a 4 wheel drive! I replied, "all the time & these are snow tires too". He said, well if you have chains you can go up. I told him that I had no chains with me but at the same time a Camry & several other sedans rolled by downhill with out chains. He then said "well then I guess you have chains, have a nice day".

On the way up to the top, there were many cars with no chains on at all. Conditions worsened while I was up there, I was surprised to see that the CHP had abandoned their post and shut off the "chains required" lighted sign a little over an hour later.


Anyway, we had a good time, here are a few pics.

image-403682635.webp


image-573279359.webp
 
S.CarolinaFZJ80 said:
Thanks for the info guys.

I like that box trick! Too funny.

I too have never used chains as I never needed them, especially in a 4 wheel drive, I just didn't want to get a ticket from the People's Republic of California.

Anyway, I asked the CHP at Sunrise Hwy. about which rating it was (i.e. R1, R2 or R3) and was told by the CHP officer that he didn't know. He added that before today, he didn't even know there was such a rating!?!? Apparently someone else asked him as well.

Then the CHP officer asked if my lifted, built 80 was a 4 wheel drive! I replied, "all the time & these are snow tires too". He said, well if you have chains you can go up. I told him that I had no chains with me but at the same time a Camry & several other sedans rolled by downhill with out chains. He then said "well then I guess you have chains, have a nice day".

On the way up to the top, there were many cars with no chains on at all. Conditions worsened while I was up there, I was surprised to see that the CHP had abandoned their post and shut off the "chains required" lighted sign a little over an hour later.

Anyway, we had a good time, here are a few pics.
Click to expand...

Here's another one.

image-2106021316.webp
 
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