Printable View
Being originally from Texas, and not doing much driving in the mountains, I wanted some clarification on chain laws.
I'm driving to Vegas for SEMA this week in my 4wd explorer. Am I correct in saying I do not need chains regardless of the tire type since I have 4wd?
Chain laws apply to big trucks.
The law actually states "chains or adequate snow tires". So, on your 4 wheel drive, any tire that says "M+S" on the sidewall qualifies. Please drive safely![Beer]
SEMA show, WooHoo.
wrongQuote:
Originally Posted by TSOTSI
chain laws apply to everyone
but they don't make snow tires for big trucks (ok, this is probably not true, but nobody runs snow tires down here on big trucks)
thus adequate snow tires is acceptable as others have posted.
You're telling me. I happened to 'win' two passes. Ill post a photo three, since I'm taking my brother who happens to be a photographer.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mtn.man
Quote:
Originally Posted by TFOGGER
Just checked, looks like I'm clear all around. Thanks.
Didn't get passes this year, usually in the past have been because we manufacture somethings and have built cars for top dawgs. Passed on them this time will maybe go next year again.
Hands up anyone who has seen a highway sign in the last 20 years in Colorado requiring "all" vehicles to chain up?? I have heard of citations issued at the scene of an accident for insufficient tread leading to loss of control but not one getting pulled over in a non commercial vehicle for no chains.Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnTRourke
Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnTRourke
Depending on how severe the roads are and the storm is that is hitting, the
State Patrol can restrict you from going over the passes.
I have been stopped at the western base of Vail pass in a severe storm and
had to throw chains on my 2004 Chevy 2500 pick up that had 285 Dick Cepek
Mud Terrain tires on it that were a month old.
Still had to throw chains on. It is rare they make other vehicles besides the
big rigs to chain up, but it does happen.
Doesnt hurt to have them in your truck now that the snow is falling in the high country.
Or you could be stuck in Vail for a decent amount of time.
Never seen a reuqirement for everyone but I did see a few years ago some sings that said if you are a big rig there is not a single road in the state you can be on without chains. That was a hell of a blizzardQuote:
Originally Posted by TSOTSI
Just put a snowmobile in the back good to go,,,
Chains are $60 insurance policy and is a lot cheaper then a $120 plus hotel bill in Vail or some bull**** city your stuck in due to the pass closed etc. Utah can be fun without chains also on I-70.
Just get a good set and be done with it and you then can know your prepared.
A few years ago we were coming out of Steamboat headed toward Rabbit Ears Pass.Quote:
Originally Posted by TSOTSI
First we saw a sign with flashers on it saying "Snow Tires Required to Proceed".
Then a few miles further there was a sign with flashers on it saying "Chains Required on Commercial Trucks to Proceed" and then about a mile before the pass "CHAINS REQUIRED ON ALL VEHICLES TO PROCEED".
So it can happen.
Side note: We were driving a 1990 Nissan 240SX with Z rated street tires on it ... talk about your white knuckle ride!
Me, too... must have been the same storm! (chuckle, chuckle) Haven't had to chain up since I started running Studded Snows from Late October to Mid May, but I still keep 'em in both of the beasties just in case I need 'em. The State Patrol takes one look at the Studded Snows and waives me on through... STUDS really do make Snow Tires more "adequate" than those without them.Quote:
Originally Posted by DD977GM2
Oh, yes! And buying them in Vail during a Storm WILL COST YOU BIG $$... if you can even find some!! I did put them on for an Ice Storm a couple of years back... even with the Studded Snows... just so that I felt better about it!Quote:
Originally Posted by DD977GM2
Quote:
Originally Posted by cwripinz
studded snow tires KICK ASS
I plow snow and they are truly amazing
I forget when I'm done plowing and in the regular car and realize "oh crap, i have to pay attention again"
They're even more fun on a dirt bike....[Twist]Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnTRourke
Finally conceded and made the call this year too...just bought some low temp rubber, wide voids, heavy siping and studs...have these puppies in the garage now, I'm just waiting for mama nature to drop the temps and start slappin' me with depth and they're goin' on.Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnTRourke
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r...oe/tiresA2.jpg
My studded snows went on the car today. I have to say that modern studded snows coupled with selective ABS and TC make anything but 2' or solid ice very boring.
cebeu, Your going to be amazed the first snow if all you have had were M&S tires before. My design is similar with the staggered studs and directional tread. This will be season #3 on them and in looking at the wear it looks like if I treat them right I will be able to get 4 years out of them. http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/a...re063Small.jpg
My favorite part is hearing the Clack clack of studded tires well into June every year because people do not pull them off.
In this state, if you are going into the mountains, regardless of the details of the laws, do what someone else posted, just buy a set for your drives, make sure you have the rubber cords to keep them tight, and keep them in back, just in case.
I will say that the couple of late snows we had last year mine stayed on later than normal. Mine stay on until the first of may after being caught in 96 and 97 by those two big storms in April.[Beer]Quote:
Originally Posted by DFBrews
It is strange hearing them in July but I have a few in the hood that leave them on all year.[Bang]
This really irks me for some reason. Change your damn tires folks and quit tearing up the road unnecessarily. [Bang][Bang][Bang][Bang][Bang]Quote:
Originally Posted by DFBrews
Thanks for the edit jerry.
That is great wear Jerry, good to see. I purchased assuming 2-years and will consider myself "lucky" if I can get 3. Questions; "what are you running for pressures, vehicle Mfgr spec? Higher?" In general, "how are the studs holding-up? Thrown any?" I'll be hammering rocks, gravel, dirt paved and highway almost daily, curious if the studs will handle the abuse into year 3 for my circumstances.Quote:
Originally Posted by jerrymrc
My favorite part is having snow in the month of June (I did in 09'). I'll pull mine when I decide to based on temp consistency and not the calendar but...nah...won't be runnin em' in June. [Shake]Quote:
Originally Posted by DFBrews
My size is 225/55/17 MFG spec is 30psi. The summer gumballs that came off I run 40/38 in. the winter tires are rated max of 50psi and I get very good even wear at 35psi. they are on a 2006 Grand Prix.Quote:
Originally Posted by cebeu
Carbide studs will last a long time if you take care of them. They can outlive the tire in most cases. Two main things. Do not lock up the brakes on pavement and keep the slippage to a minimum IE no burnouts even on snow.
On a brand new set I like to drive around town the first day just to make sure all the studs are set. After that you should never lose a stud. Hope this helps.[Beer]
Jerry, those look like Hankook iPikes. I run those too and LOVE them. I have tried the expensive Bridgestone Blizzaks, Michelin Arctic Alpin, Cooper and other snow tires and the Hankooks beat them all for a much better price. The Blizzaks and Alpins never made it more than 2 seasons...and close to not making it a second season. I average 3 seasons on the iPikes.Quote:
Originally Posted by jerrymrc
I have run the iPikes on a Toyota Corolla, Tundra, Subaru Forester and Legacy. The Forester does great no matter what...tires are just a plus. The Corolla was FWD and was useless in the snow but a pair of studded iPikes made it fairly good.
The best is my Tundra. I ran those last year after that big first snow (that lost a few hunters if you remember). When I went up to the Eagles Nest Wilderness area for my hunt just days after the big snow we drove off road everywhere with those iPikes. Most guys we saw were on snow machines and a few others were in trucks with chains. We didn't get stuck even a little even when we were making our own tracks in snow being plowed by the front bumper...even pulled one truck out that was running chains...I thank the tires.
PS - the DOW guy we saw going in thought we were crazy. We ran into him a day later in the backcountry and he was surprised we made it that far...said he'd call in a rescue for us when we got stuck. We waved to him when we saw him again as we hit the highway going out...
big +1 for Hankook iPikes.
They are. We tried them on the old Astro van years ago and they worked. These were a fluke. After I bought the car the tires on it were old. In looking for a set I saw an ad on craigslist. 4 Ipikes, 1 month of use $150. They still had half the nubs on them.Quote:
Originally Posted by hollohas
A nice old gentleman had bought them for the wife's car and then they traded it in the next month. so in Aug he put them up for sale and was a man of his word. [Beer]
I hate having to use them but the fine is not worth 10 minutes of my time putting them on, here is a pic of my set up after going over laveta pass.
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/d...223-0812-1.jpg