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Chain control weight limits?


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#11 Mthomas

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Posted 07 January 2020 - 12:27 AM

Seems to me the original intent was commercial gets chains, non-commercial did not. As these trucks have gotten bigger and bigger suddenly you are in a middle ground of essentially a light duty, non commercial truck that weighs in excess of 8000 lbs. I think I will probably go the route of asking forgiveness rather than permission and see if cal-trans actually makes me chain up.


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#12 Mthomas

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Posted 07 January 2020 - 08:44 AM

Maybe the rules changed, this is currently posted by cal trans

 

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 tires1 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 devices2 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.

https://dot.ca.gov/t.../chain-controls


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#13 ntsqd

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Posted 07 January 2020 - 02:16 PM

More info: https://dot.ca.gov/t...in-requirements

 

I note in the first section this sentence:

"When the road is posted with a sign requiring chains, all heavy-duty vehicles (over 6,500 pounds gross weight) must be equipped with chains mounted on the tires in order to proceed."

What caught my eye is no distinction made between private pick-ups and commercial pick-ups. Only weight matters, not what class the vehicle is categorized as. A 10 wheeled dump truck is treated the same as my registered as a motorhome pick-up with a permanently installed camper in the bed.


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Thom

Where does that road go?

#14 Casa Escarlata Robles Too

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Posted 07 January 2020 - 02:36 PM

This can be confusing ,so the best thing is to buy a set of "chains/cables"

stick them somewhere in your rig.

Like the credit card commercial says  "don't leave home without it".

It's cheap insurance.

Frank


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#15 craig333

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Posted 08 January 2020 - 01:53 AM

Most of us just see the road signs that say 4wd with snow tires okay. One of good things of sites like this, now we know the rest of the story :)


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#16 Vic

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Posted 08 January 2020 - 05:02 AM

This is an interesting and timely thread.  And I'm thoroughly confused now.  Caltrans doesn't make it easier...no mention of the weight threshold on their information brochure:

 

https://dot.ca.gov/-...g-2019-a11y.pdf

 

This would imply that my wife's AWD sedan should have a set of chains (4?) in the truck in case of R-2 conditions?  That said I've never heard of a AWD car being challenged for carrying chains.

 

For Craig in the original post - did they expect you to put chains on, or simply have them?  

 

Supposed to be some more new snow this weekend - time to get the snowshoes out again and maybe head up to Donner area.  I'll just take the Wrangler  B)


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#17 Adventurer

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Posted 08 January 2020 - 05:22 PM

It works similarly here in Oregon.  In a "Snow Zone" you are required to carry (chains) traction control device (certain tires meet the definition of traction control device); all vehicles are required to carry them.  Many people buy chains at the beginning of the seaon and then return them at the end of the season.  Front wheel, all-wheel, 4-wheel drive vehicles are all required to "carry" chains or have snow tires (snowflake/mountain).

 

In California, if there is a restriction (an "R-#), you are required to at least carry them or have snow tires.  Regardless of the "truck", if you don't have chains or snow tires you can be turned back.

 

From Caltrans:

 

If I have 4-wheel-drive, do I need to carry chains?

Yes. Even though weather conditions may not warrant the use of chains on 4-wheel-drive vehicles at a particular time, to enter a chain control area, you must have a set of chains (for one drive axle) for your vehicle in your possession. If conditions worsen or you have trouble controlling your vehicle, you must stop and install the chains.

 

If I have snow tires, do I need to carry chains?

Yes. Even though weather conditions may not warrant the use of chains on passenger vehicles equipped with snow tires at a particular time, to enter a chain control area, you must have a set of chains (one pair) for your vehicle in your possession. If conditions worsen or you have trouble controlling your vehicle, you must stop and install the chains.

 

If I have snow tires on a heavy-duty commercial vehicle, do I need to carry chains?

Yes. There is no exemption for heavy-duty commercial vehicles (over 6,500 pounds gross weight) equipped with snow tires. Chains must be installed on heavy-duty commercial vehicles whenever chain controls are posted.

 

If I have studded snow tires, do I need to carry chains?

Yes. Studded snow tires are not considered tire traction devices and may not be used in lieu of chains.

 

Is “all-wheel drive” the same as 4-wheel drive?

Yes. Even though all-wheel drive systems may differ mechanically from conventional 4- wheel drive systems, for the purposes of chain control, all-wheel drive is considered the same as 4-wheel drive.


Edited by Adventurer, 08 January 2020 - 05:24 PM.

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#18 craig333

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Posted 09 January 2020 - 02:50 AM

Yes, he did expect me to install them. Chains are in the backseat now. New tensioners too. 

 

I'm confused too. If I chain up can I leave it in 2wd? Not that I would :)


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#19 Mthomas

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Posted 10 January 2020 - 05:11 AM

confusing how some of the Caltrans info mentions commercial and some only references weight. 


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