Snow and Chains...Do we need them?

[JusticeZ33]

I am in Arnold , CA right now on my way to Bear Valley. The highway boards say that chains are needed past Arnold.

I drive a 4Runner with KO2s. Do I really need chains? It is not my first time driving in snow but it's the first time I am going somewhere that says you need chains. Do most of you chain up when you go into snow?

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[Vandy]

When I use to live there, when conditions mandated the hi-po would check before you could pass. No chains, you got turned around. Iirc they didn't care what you were driving

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[JusticeZ33]

Is there a chain up station at the end of Arnold? If I have to chain up I would like to minimise driving on concrete.

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[O.Dfj]

It says chains required on all vehicles except 4wd with snow tires. Since ko2 are m+s rated you should be fine. Thats from caltrans website.

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[Vandy]

Honestly I don't remember. We never went up there during the winter because of that. We got turned around lol. We always went snowboarding at Mt. High. Roads were a lot better.

Things I look back and regret

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[Scott]

There will likely be a chain check. I have lived up in lake arrowhead area my entire life and I've only ever had to chain up a 4wd one time to make it home, as required by chp. I carry chains at all times.. However they do not fit my oversized tires. But.. I do have chains... And that's all I care about.

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[timberwolf_120]

I know up here in washington they require chains or traction tires (has the snowflake symbol)on everything except awd vehicles.

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[4xFar Adventures]

@O.Dfj has it correct. You need M+S labeled tires and 4WD during chain control sections. Anything else and you need to chain up. If conditions are so bad that the 4WD equipped vehicles with M+S tires need chains, the highway will just close.

I was coming home from Reno last year during a storm and went through chain control. The guy kept asking to see my 4WD button and I repeatedly told him "There is no 4WD button, it's full time 4WD." I don't know if he actually knew it or not, but after the third time asking, he said "I know, I know. Go ahead".

 

[timberwolf_120]

@O.Dfj has it correct. You need M+S labeled tires and 4WD during chain control sections. Anything else and you need to chain up. If conditions are so bad that the 4WD equipped vehicles with M+S tires need chains, the highway will just close.

I was coming home from Reno last year during a storm and went through chain control. The guy kept asking to see my 4WD button and I repeatedly told him "There is no 4WD button, it's full time 4WD." I don't know if he actually knew it or not, but after the third time asking, he said "I know, I know. Go ahead".

Thats odd i went through reno a few years back must have been 8 inches of fresh poweder on the roads just me in my 4wd ram with bald ass tires and a snow plow on the road tho.(this was at like 10pm lol) Never seen one chain up director man.

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[Anders0nic]

Don't forget, that it is state law(CA that is) that requires you to just carry them. You may not be required to use them...

 

[JusticeZ33]

Thanks for all the input. As stated, I did not need to put the chains on but I did carry them.

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