Snow report and tire chain report please

DannyLlama · Mar 3, 2018

For the folks that are headed up this weekend and for the folks that live up in Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead... are chained required and how are snow conditions?

Planning to head out Sunday and transportation websites aren't up to date obviously because it just started snowing :rain:

Stay safe out there!

BrianSD_42 · Mar 3, 2018

I suggest leaving OC at like 6am because the traffic is going to be terrible.

I thought CalTrans has 24x7 updates on the road status.

RAD4Runner · Mar 3, 2018

For around $40 a set, I just keep my snow cables in the truck during the winter months. Pointless to risk driving 2-3 hours to any mountain just to be turned around (or ripped off by rentals) because chains/cables are required and you did not have any.
Time to hit craigslist

DannyLlama · Mar 3, 2018

BrianSD_42 said:
I suggest leaving OC at like 6am because the traffic is going to be terrible.

I thought CalTrans has 24x7 updates on the road status.

No kidding.. going back will be worse than going up

RAD4Runner said:
For around $40 a set, I just keep my snow cables in the truck during the winter months. Pointless to risk driving 2-3 hours to any mountain just to be turned around (or ripped off by rentals) because chains/cables are required and you did not have any.
Time to hit craigslist

Any recommendation on brand? Looking into the internet, I can't find ones that fit 285/65/18 ... though, i'm mostly looking for chains not cables.

Also, everywhere i'm reading on the forum, no one seems to use chains lol, at least not in CA. Requirements aside.

Bishop98 · Mar 3, 2018

DannyLlama said:
No kidding.. going back will be worse than going up

Any recommendation on brand? Looking into the internet, I can't find ones that fit 285/65/18 ... though, i'm mostly looking for chains not cables.

Also, everywhere i'm reading on the forum, no one seems to use chains lol, at least not in CA. Requirements aside.

https://www.etrailer.com/Tire-Chains/Titan-Chain/TC2533.html

RAD4Runner · Mar 3, 2018

DannyLlama said:
Any recommendation on brand?

There are less expensive ones but I've always used cables from Security Chain Company products aka Peerless (https://www.peerlesschain.com/tire-chain-finder/traction/tirechains) since 2000.
I find them to be the most user-friendly chains; No need to move the car in the middle of installation. They come in Z-series models.
Got mine from CL. and each time I change tire sizes, I sell them for about same amount ranging from $35 - $45

BrianSD_42 · Mar 3, 2018

Requirements aside.

Are you 4wd?

Because the requirement is chains are really only needed for 2wd.

If you have 4wd and AT tires you don't need chains except in a damn blizzard.

Since we are talking big bear I'm pretty sure it will be "chains or 4wd +snow tires" and if it really did snow enough to put a few inches on the road they would close the freeway before implementing a 100% chains rule.

RAD4Runner · Mar 3, 2018

DannyLlama said:
... no one seems to use chains lol, at least not in CA...

Those are the people who haven't realized driving 3 hours up to Big Bear or other mountain and having to turn around cost more than one-time expense of $40

Oh, and don't forget to try it on in your warm and dry driveway/garage; We've watched falling snow melt the instructions as we struggled to put brand-new chains on my friend's tires - LOL!

BrianSD_42 · Mar 3, 2018

Have you ever actually been turned around by the police while driving to Big Bear? I'm pretty skeptical it played out like that.

and having to turn around cost more than one-time expense of $40

Were you 4wd?

I've driven all over Tahoe and Mammoth many times and usually if they were to implement a 100% chains role the CHP would already be shutting down the freeway at that point.

Meaning it is usually either 1) chains OR 4WD , 2) freeway shutdown.

TK-422 · Mar 3, 2018

From Caltrans

Always carry chains for travel during winter months.

Caltrans Chain Control Requirement Levels:

R-0: No Restrictions
R-1: Chains or snow tread tires required. Snow tires must have a tread depth of 6/32″ with an M&S imprint on the tire’s sidewall.
R-2: Chains required on all vehicles, except four-wheel drives or all-wheel drives with snow tread tires on all four wheels. Four-wheel drives must carry chains in the vehicle. If you have four-wheel drive, engage it. Use 4-Low only if your vehicle becomes stuck.
R-3: Chains required on all vehicles, no exceptions.

IT’S THE LAW: Carry tire chains at all times during winter travel in the mountains!

Even if you have 4wd they sometimes check to see if you have chains with you.

DannyLlama · Mar 3, 2018

Thanks for all the recommendations. Great community as always!

Looks like mostly rain in Arrowhead and minor snow in BB.

Any good shots from folks who live up there or have been upthis weekend?

Tkblazer · Mar 3, 2018

This is a good site with live webcams for bb weather

http://www.bensweather.com/

visualfxengineer · Mar 3, 2018

Tkblazer said:
This is a good site with live webcams for bb weather

BENSWEATHER.com

^^^ This for the real weather report.

BrianSD_42 · Mar 3, 2018

R-2: Chains required on all vehicles, except four-wheel drives or all-wheel drives with snow tread tires on all four wheels. Four-wheel drives must carry chains in the vehicle. If you have four-wheel drive, engage it. Use 4-Low only if your vehicle becomes stuck.
R-3: Chains required on all vehicles, no exceptions.

Yes everyone should obey the law. I certainly do. I carry chains up with me anytime there could snow.

R2 -- they do not search your vehicle. It is purely an honor system. 4WD and snow or AT tires is definitely enough to make it to the ski resort if you don't have chains.

R3 -- Once R3 goes into effect the highway has usually already been closed. Or they are just about to close the highway. A 100% chains in effect policy tears up the roads and the government is more than aware.

Also where was the last time (if ever) that R3 was enforced for any period of time in Big Bear? Just curious..

:bat:

BobsTrail · Mar 3, 2018

I went up a few years ago and met a chain inspection road block near Arrowhead. I slowed down and they waved me through. I did have cable chains with me.

DannyLlama · Mar 3, 2018

BobsTrail said:
I went up a few years ago and met a chain inspection road block near Arrowhead. I slowed down and they waved me through. I did have cable chains with me.

Did you have them on or just in the truck?

BobsTrail · Mar 3, 2018

DannyLlama said:
Did you have them on or just in the truck?

In a box in the back, buried under stuff.

I leave them in the open now in case I need to show them or get them. I played with them in my icy driveway last winter and they did well, not sure I want/need the roughness of real chains.

I'm in Oregon now, went a few times through our snow covered passes where the big rigs had to chain up. The T4 did just fine without.

2barevo · Mar 4, 2018

I'm heading up to Mt Baldy tomorrow. Any suggestions on wheelin up there. Taking the family for some snow play as well.

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

RAD4Runner · Mar 4, 2018

DannyLlama said:
... 285/65/18 ... .

Hi Danny,
List of sizes on label on the cable/chain container may not be as complete. List on manufacturer website is more complete.

I downloaded one a while back. Here on my Google Drive:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1JQZXb3z0t7xjiks1zVR3BCePpleD9iou

TheWraith · Mar 4, 2018

pls dont beat up on me too bad...

do we really need snow chains even with M+S rated tires ??? I have never need them even on heavily snowed cover roads and trails...

Snow report and tire chain report please

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