BAWC Forums

Haven't had to use them yet, but are required by law out here to carry them certain times of the year.

Part of me still wants to trade my ST in for an RS, just so I can say all of our vehicles are turbo AWD But with the minimal snow we get, the ST is fine, and the Explorer will handle any deep snow we may get.

[quote=""ChargerX3""]I dont miss chains one bit.[/quote]

Never used them....why don’t you miss them? Just a ruff ride?


Coop

[quote=""Duck Vader""]Haven't had to use them yet, but are required by law out here to carry them certain times of the year.[/quote]

pretty sure you only need to have them certain places up here, and in an awd vehicle winter tires alone suffice 9 times out of 10. Steve can probably elaborate.

[quote=""tabasco122""]pretty sure you only need to have them certain places up here, and in an awd vehicle winter tires alone suffice 9 times out of 10. Steve can probably elaborate.[/quote]

Oregon probably has different laws than Washington.

https://www.tripcheck.com/Pages/Chain-Law

Basically if you don't have "traction" tires, in certain areas and at certain times, you are required to use chains or studded tires.

My jeep has traction tires -

"Tires designated by the tire industry as suitable for use in severe snow conditions are marked with a mountain/snowflake emblem on the sidewall"

- So doesn't need chains, but have them leftover from the LJ when off-roading in deep snow.

However, the Volt doesn't, so I carry chains. Much cheaper than a set of winter tires.

In CA you have to have chains for any 2wd vehicle when the CHP and CalTrans state chains are required on a roadway. 4x4 and AWD vehicles only need M&S rated tires. In theory the chain control can include all vehicles including 4x4/AWD, but in practice they close the roads before that requirement. In CA it's only for mountain roads, it basically never snows in any major cities here.

[quote=""Duck Vader""]Oregon probably has different laws than Washington.

https://www.tripcheck.com/Pages/Chain-Law

Basically if you don't have "traction" tires, in certain areas and at certain times, you are required to use chains or studded tires.

My jeep has traction tires - - So doesn't need chains, but have them leftover from the LJ when off-roading in deep snow.

However, the Volt doesn't, so I carry chains. Much cheaper than a set of winter tires.[/quote]

thats what i meant by "up here" lol

[quote=""DCIV""]Never used them....why don’t you miss them? Just a ruff ride?


Coop[/quote]
Terrible ride! You cant realistically go faster than 30-40mph with them on. They are loud, not well balanced and make for a bumpy ride. Last time i used chains was with my father going to Lake Tahoe when I80 was closed to landslides. The jarring was so bad that I permanently ruined the, radio, door locks, and other electrical circuits in his minivan.

[quote=""Chris GTO TT""]In CA you have to have chains for any 2wd vehicle when the CHP and CalTrans state chains are required on a roadway. 4x4 and AWD vehicles only need M&S rated tires. In theory the chain control can include all vehicles including 4x4/AWD, but in practice they close the roads before that requirement. In CA it's only for mountain roads, it basically never snows in any major cities here.[/quote]

In a 4x4 or AWD you dont even need mud or snow tires. Just tell them you do and they wave you on. Lol

[quote=""ChargerX3""]Terrible ride! You cant realistically go faster than 30-40mph with them on. They are loud, not well balanced and make for a bumpy ride. Last time i used chains was with my father going to Lake Tahoe when I80 was closed to landslides. The jarring was so bad that I permanently ruined the, radio, door locks, and other electrical circuits in his minivan. [/quote]
Yeah they are pretty rough and can damage your car if you go too fast. Seeing cars on the shoulders with chains wrapped around the axle after chain control has ended is a normal occurrence. I also see them flung off cars and lying in the middle of the road.


[quote=""ChargerX3""]In a 4x4 or AWD you dont even need mud or snow tires. Just tell them you do and they wave you on. Lol[/quote]

Yeah they don't actually check your tires and just ask if 4x4 is locked or if you're AWD.