Snow chains

[Donmatteo]

https://www.codot.gov/travel/colorado-chain-law

Code 16/Passenger Chain Law: All passenger vehicles need chains, except for 4WD and AWD vehicles with all-weather tires with 3/16 inch tread depth.

The Raptor meets code 16 requirements.

You understand we are talking about CALIFORNIA right? Not Colorado.

 

[Donmatteo]

YOU DO NOT NEED CHAINS...you are reading it wrong.

• Requirement 1 (R-1): Chains are required on all vehicles except passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks under 6,000 pounds gross weight and equipped with snow tires on at least two drive wheels. Chains must be carried by vehicles using snow tires. All vehicles towing trailers must have chains on one drive axle. Trailers with brakes must have chains on at least one axle.

https://dot.ca.gov/travel/winter-driving-tips/chain-requirements#:~:text=Tire traction devices are defined,and cable chains, as well

NOTE: (Four-wheel/all-wheel drive vehicles must carry traction devices in chain control areas.)

snow rated tires = traction device

You missed this bit RIGHT after your highlighted area.

"Chains must be carried by vehicles using snow tires."

 

[Donmatteo]

4x4 with the mountain/snowflake symbol are not required to have chains in SoCal

I LITERALLY posted the caltrans information. You might want to READ it.

https://dot.ca.gov/travel/winter-driving-tips/chain-controls

During the winter months, motorists may encounter traction chain controls in the mountain areas within California. When chain controls are established, signs will be posted along the road indicating the type of requirement. There are Three Levels of Chain Requirements in California:

• Requirement 1 (R-1): Chains are required on all vehicles except passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks under 6,000 pounds gross weight and equipped with snow tires on at least two drive wheels. Chains must be carried by vehicles using snow tires. All vehicles towing trailers must have chains on one drive axle. Trailers with brakes must have chains on at least one axle.
• Requirement 2 (R2): Chains or traction devices are required on all vehicles except four-wheel/all-wheel drive vehicles with snow-tread tires on all four wheels.
  NOTE: (Four-wheel/all-wheel drive vehicles must carry traction devices in chain control areas.)
• Requirement 3 (R3): Chains or traction devices are required on all vehicles, no exceptions.

SO. to sum up, Regarding specifically to the raptor, in ca.

R1 - NO chains need to be on it but MUST BE CARRIED
R2 - NO Chains need to be on it but MUST BE CARRIED
R3 - MUST BE ON - NO EXCEPTIONS

 

[CoronaRaptor]

 

[jabroni619]

I love how people not local to the Arrowhead / Running Springs / Bear Bear area love to tell people who do, they are wrong.

Look. I've been going there nearly every weekend for the past 30 years and have been DRIVING A RAPTOR ON STOCK TIRES to Arrowhead since 2018.

1. CHP doesn't care what you think. R1, R2 mean they ASK OR CHECK FOR CHAINS. P.E.R.I.O.D.
2. CalTrans and CHP DONT CARE about some snowflake or your definition of a traction device.

If you argue with them, Drop some St Louis, Kentucky or Az knowledge on them, you are turned around. PERIOD.
Sometimes they check, sometimes they dont.

I was asked on Friday if I had them and waved though and was CHECKED on Sunday on my way down.

If you are from St Louis, Kentucky or Az and dont go to Arrowhead, Running Springs or Big Bear when they are in chain control, you might want to bow out of this conversation.

Im more entertained by the OP. He has info from locals telling him he’ll likely need to be carrying a set if there’s an active storm and has info from out of state folks saying don’t need them, and chooses to accept the data he wants to believe that’ll save him $100 but potentially ruin his trip.

 

[Sunchild714]

Interesting thread. Subscribing....

 

[JefferyGT]

Good call...

It's been so long since I even worried about that stuff. I have literally never needed to actually chain up. But I did always carry the chains in my old Land Rover. Just in case the State Troopers decided to inspect. I worked at a ski resort that was off of the interstate freeway.

 

[jabroni619]

FWIW, on my way home going east on Interstate 8 and the LED sign was lit up saying "Chains Required Mountain Areas" and there's a checkpoint at the Sunrise exit, entering Mt Laguna

 

[The Car Stereo Company]

all my ca snow experience is the drive up 80 into the tahoe area. i have been through it several times and through snowsrorms and have seen several people get turned around in their 2wd vehicle. even when i had my subaru, i never got turned around, nor asked about chains. as long as the road was open, i was able to pass. i figured this would be a state resteiction, but looks to be region specific. typically when a 4x4 is required to have chains, the road is closed due to the logic of that if a 4x4 has to have chain on, what makes anyone think a 2wd with chains is going to make it? this is all based on my experience. however it appears to be different on a major highway rather than the road you are talking about to arrowhead.

 

[jabroni619]

all my ca snow experience is the drive up 80 into the tahoe area. i have been through it several times and through snowsrorms and have seen several people get turned around in their 2wd vehicle. even when i had my subaru, i never got turned around, nor asked about chains. as long as the road was open, i was able to pass. i figured this would be a state resteiction, but looks to be region specific. typically when a 4x4 is required to have chains, the road is closed due to the logic of that if a 4x4 has to have chain on, what makes anyone think a 2wd with chains is going to make it? this is all based on my experience. however it appears to be different on a major highway rather than the road you are talking about to arrowhead.

As has been stated numerous times, 4x4 are required to have chains WITH them not installed. Anecdotal evidence of not having been inspected for chains is great, but it's just that. Anecdotal evidence. I've got my own. 3 out of the last 4 trips I've made out to Mt Laguna during a storm, I was inspected, and turned around the very first time because I didn't have chains or cables with me. This was in my 4x4 Raptor with factory KO2's on it. The next two times I was inspected showed them the chains on the floor in the back seat and allowed to pass. The last time there was no check point when I entered the mountain, but one was setup by the time I was coming back down.

The Cal Trans guidelines have been posted and quoted for clarity. This isn't rocket science. There's no guess work involved. It comes down to, do you want to take the chance or would you rather be safe than sorry.