Lake Tahoe, Nitto Trail Grapplers, and Tire Chains

[jkjurny]

I've searched older threads, and noticed people mention that they haven't been stopped to add chains when in a 4x4. Just want to confirm if this is still true, especially on M+S tired. I noticed that the California websites mention that you need chains in the car even if you have M+S tires.

Planning on just driving up to Tahoe a few times this winter and want to know if I need to buy some chains.

I have 35x12.5 Trail Grapplers on my JKUR. Thanks!

 

[crippledpetey]

I've searched older threads, and noticed people mention that they haven't been stopped to add chains when in a 4x4. Just want to confirm if this is still true, especially on M+S tired. I noticed that the California websites mention that you need chains in the car even if you have M+S tires.

Planning on just driving up to Tahoe a few times this winter and want to know if I need to buy some chains.

I have 35x12.5 Trail Grapplers on my JKUR. Thanks!

I have never been questioned or stopped about chains in my jeep. They've always asked if Im familiar with snow/ice driving but thats it. IMO you will be fine.

 

[MTG]

Never been stopped for chains in my jeep. In fact, never been stopped for chains in my Navigator either. Not to say it couldn't happen, but it's never happened to me.

Edit: ^he beat me to it. I was typing and then got distracted. LOL!

 

[07JKSahara]

Nope. All the guys I've dealt with wave you on. I was there over x mas, the guy checking chains looked at the tires, signalled 4 fingers to me, I showed 4 fingers back. Then he actually said "have fun" knowing what I was doing. Pics for good measure.

 

[Trail JK]

I've never been stopped for chains there in snow. They should wave you through as long as the road is open.

 

[crippledpetey]

Nope. All the guys I've dealt with wave you on. I was there over x mas, the guy checking chains looked at the tires, signalled 4 fingers to me, I showed 4 fingers back. Then he actually said "have fun" knowing what I was doing. Pics for good measure.

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Ya I was in Tahoe last year for a bachelor party and it snowed something crazy while we were there. I was actually asked by a couple cops to help pull out a guy that hit a bank at the horizon casino so they didn't have to do paper work. When I was leaving I ran into the same cop heading up 50. He just tipped his hat and waved me by. LOL

 

[Jk909]

I was denied access to the 330 going up to big bear when I was on my old yj on 35's. I went to Walmart and bought the cheapest chains for small car tires and went back up. They don't make you put them on so it worked.

 

[crippledpetey]

I was denied access to the 330 going up to big bear when I was on my old yj on 35's. I went to Walmart and bought the cheapest chains for small car tires and went back up. They don't make you put them on so it worked.

wow that sucks :twocents:

 

[jkjurny]

Thanks for the fast replies everyone. I have snow chains for my minivan. I'll toss them in the Jeep in case I'm asked to show some.

 

[Rccrwlr]

Got asked only one time on hwy-20 coming out of Grass Valley/Nevada City. They were getting ready to close the road and asked if I had a set for my 33" on my CJ5. Showed them the bag and they let me pass. Freaky ass drive in 4 lo by your self in the pitch black and a foot of fresh powder.

Going over I-80 I have never been asked about any of the cars I have had that were 4wd or Awd. Shoot we had an Awd Toyota Sienna and they looked at it and laughed and waved us through. Never asked about chains.

Really there are very specific instruction in the car users manual for chains on a 4wd/Awd. In fact my 08' Rubicon users guide says no chains.

 

[Tree Frog]

Used to live in Tahoe, parents lived in Sly Park. So a lot of running back and forth on 50. At the chain inspection areas I have been asked if I was locked in to 4 wheel drive.
If you were not you probably would not be getting up to the guy very well anyway. They like to put the inspection point on an uphill straightaway where they can watch you approach. If you come up spinning all over and getting sideways your gonna get talked to and probably turned around.

Weird about not chaining up a Rubicon? I will have to go read the book some more.

Up in Soda Springs area they used to have locals on an R-4 restriction. That's where it was so bad you had to have a four wheel drive with all fours chained up. I don't think they even do that anymore they will just close it now.

Oh lookie what I found, strait from Caltrans. http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/wntrdriv.htm

Chain Requirements:
R1: Chains, traction devices or snow tires are required on the drive axle of all vehicles except four wheel/ all wheel drive vehicles.
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.)
R3: Chains or traction devices are required on all vehicles, no exceptions.

Yup no R-4 huh.

 

[Davwashere]

Don't know if this is true or not, but I was under the impression that they would just close the highway if it got bad enough that 4x4's needed chains.