Went to BIG Bear this weekend

[smittycrusher]

and I spent some time at Big Bear. Great winter storm with a ton of snow (I am not sure of the official amount but there were plenty of drifts 3-4 ft high. Roads solid ice/snow. Highway Patrol required chains and many people were turned away without them. It was the first real test for the Good Year Wrangler AT w/ Silent Armor. GoodYear gives them a 10/10 rating for snow and I agree! They were amazing. I have not driven the Revo's but I can't imagine they are better but from what I hear they are probably just as good. I didn't need the chains as this tire combined witht the LX 4wd is a perfect combo. I had so much fun. I saw a ton of 80's (we passed one while we were going up on Sat. evening - i think it was silver, snorkled w/ a 4'' or 6'' lift, and passed another ARB'd and lifted one as we were coming down on Sun. afternoon) The rest were all stock. I wish I wasn't alone as I really wanted to test out this rig and tires in the snow (wife would have been pissed had we gotten stuck) Anyways i will post some pics when I resize them.
Smit

 

[e9999]

so the CHP let you through without chains then I assume?

 

[smittycrusher]

so the CHP let you through without chains then I assume?

I am sorry to be confusing. I had the chains on (rear only) since I would not be allowed in without them. I am convinced that I did not need them though. The tires are awesome and I never had any sliding or grip issues on the front chainless tires (even as I drove through 3-4 ft. drifts

Smit

 

[clownmidget]

that was me coming down

 

[e9999]

I am sorry to be confusing. I had the chains on (rear only) since I would not be allowed in without them. I am convinced that I did not need them though. The tires are awesome and I never had any sliding or grip issues on the front chainless tires (even as I drove through 3-4 ft. drifts

Smit

dang, don't they usually let 4WDs go through without chains?

 

[smittycrusher]

that was me coming down

Nice cruiser! I am so proud of my , she spotted the snorkel before I did! How much lift do you have? Did you run any trails while up there?

Smit

 

[smittycrusher]

dang, don't they usually let 4WDs go through without chains?

They required ALL Vehicles to have chains. When we were coming down they had just turned away two very nice H1's with the old GY mt/r's and those guys looked pissed! It was pretty funny. I personaly don't think I needed them at all with my highly capable LX but I wasn't going to argue with the law!

 

[Brentbba]

dang, don't they usually let 4WDs go through without chains?

Eric,

Would you let an average SoCal resident with a poser 4WD to pass? The CHP doesn't know if you've got snow driving experience or not. I think the chain law is chains or properly equiped 4WD so long as the 4WD has chains on board. By properly equiped I think they mean adequate snow or all terrain tires.

Interesting as I've driven thru chain checkpoints to Tahoe in worse than the local mountains will ever see and didn't have to put chains on. Perhaps the difference was I-80 instead of a windy two lane mountain road, or asshat SoCal drivers.

Would have loved to see the faces of the H1 drivers Smittycruiser.

 

[e9999]

when I was up in Lockwood Valley this weekend, the signs said "chains required / trucks with snow tires OK"

 

[ed97fzj80]

dang, don't they usually let 4WDs go through without chains?

I'm not sure just what the criteria are. I've been passed with just a "You have snow tires?" while other cars were having to chain up, I've been told I don't have to have the chains on but I do have to have them with me, and I've been told to chain up. Conditions were pretty similar in each place.

 

[smittycrusher]

when I was up in Lockwood Valley this weekend, the signs said "chains required / trucks with snow tires OK"

When we were up top all of the signs said "chains required / trucks with snow tires OK" but getting to the top through the CHP checkpoint required chains. We climbed up the 330 to the 18. It looked like a ghetto spring break coming down yesterday with all the people turned away pulling off into the turn outs to play in some snow since they could go no further.
Smit

 

[clownmidget]

smitty- it has Slee 6" + 1.5" spacers + 1" bodylift + 37" m/t's. Guess it's not enough if you thought it was only 4-6"

when I was coming down, every other way was closed due to the whiteout conditions up higher. I had come up from 138, willow creek, grass valley, twin peaks, etc.

18 was closed right at the Lake Gregory turnoff and the route back up to Grass Valley was closed due to a multiple car pileup on the slope going back up towards Twin Peaks. By the time you saw me I had been sitting there trying to escape off the mtn more than 4 hours....

 

[perk]

We went up the 38 Saturday about 11:00 am. 4WD with chains on-board ok......and by the way, from my experience they never check. Earlier that morning, CHP required 4WD with chains on; this was before they plowed. On our way back, there was an older model white 4door Blazer that had slid himself off the road and into a drift against the hillside. It was 4WD, but with street tires (still, I think he had to be driving too fast). He was trying to dig out with his gloved hands. I stopped and gave him my shovel. Once he had the snow out from underneath his two tires on the hillside (the other side was clear), hooked on the tow straps and after two yanks, he was out. Definetely another time lamenting no lockers, but was happy to have been able to get him out with just low. It was slightly up hill, with a little bit of snow left against the undercarriage, on a hardpacked icy surface. Another testament to the mighty cruiser

 

[smittycrusher]

smitty- it has Slee 6" + 1.5" spacers + 1" bodylift + 37" m/t's. Guess it's not enough if you thought it was only 4-6"

Sorry , I knew it was high and I was jealous. I can't wait to lift the LX. I am debating the 4'' vs. 6'' but I have atleast a year to decide. You are coming to the Orange County event on the 26th aren't you? I hope so I want to see it up close. Did you install the Slee yourself? I hope by the time I get a lift I will have learned enough to install it myself.
Smit