Snow chains

[ericburney]

Not needed. As long as your tires have M+S rating or Snowflake stamp like the KO2s you are good to go

 

[Steebo]

The manual says to not to use chains. I wouldnt run them even if they were recommended. I've used chains and cables before and they cause a ton of damage when they snap. Instead I would highly recommend having kitty litter and a set of max trax in the truck

 

[tahoeacr]

I've only chained up ONCE with a 4X4 and that was in R3 and it was for safety on the 3/4 inch black ice on the road.

Wow! R3 conditions in California and they kept the road open? Up here it's closed before that.
Thanks for the heads up on having to carry chains. Never been checked for that. Use to run down 50 to the Bay area once month. Biggest concern was prepping for getting stuck in a closed road when the tourists crash lol. In Nevada up here they never use mandatory chain control on 4x/awd. So, I only own chains for the FWD cars we own.

 

[Donmatteo]

@ShadyRaptor - You will need to carry them.I was stopped and checked on my way down this morning.
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.

 

[goblues38]

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.

 

[goblues38]

@ShadyRaptor - You will need to carry them.I was stopped and checked on my way down this morning.
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.

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-dr...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

 

[JefferyGT]

K02s are rated for snow. They are considered traction devices.

 

[saym14]

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

 

[dreys]

Going there (Big Bear area) tomorrow. Will see how it goes

 

[Donmatteo]

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.