Any Snow/Weather Warriors Out There

[mountainmole]

After frying our 3400 by forgetting the surge protector, I'm 5 days late heading out of Portland for Boise. The weather sucks, black ice, snow, ect. But I have to get there. Has any one chained up? How may chains and where do I need them?? Do I really want to chain up the Monty. Probably should have taken most of your advise and headed south--------but not an option.

[rogue]

Mountainmole, I bought a set of chains from Les Schwab, and had them show me how to install them. On a 4WD they said the chains go on the front wheels on the TV, and you drive in 4L and not over 20 mph. As soon as you get ot of the snow/ice take the chains off. They said nothing about putting chains on the 5er/trailer. I have not used them, hope I bought them for insurance.

[Jim Dickey]

Many states require you to install atleast one chain on the trailer (drag chain) when chains are required (WA does). I've always been told to place the chains on the rear and stay in 2 wheel drive unless you have chains for all 4 tires. Will have to check that one, have a good and safe trip.

[rogue]

I stand corrected. Here is the exact wording for Oregon
"You must use chains if your vehicle is towing or is rated over 10,000 pounds GVW. Chains must also be used on a trailer or vehicle being towed if it has a brake that operates while in tow. If your vehicle is rated 10,000 pounds GVW or less and is not towing you must use chains or traction tires."

Here is a link for the Minimum Chain requirements for Oregon.
http://www.tripcheck.com/Pages/RCMap...v=MinChainReqs

Found this by doing a google search for "winter towing 5th wheel and chains"

EDIT Found this link for Tire Chain Laws and State Road Conditions.
http://tirechain.com/

[bigmurf]

Chains on the front axle first? Never heard this before.

[mountainmole]

Thank you all!! Am hoping to catch a window in the weather, but certainly can't plan on that. Off to Les Schwabb.

[deadeye]

Mountainmole:
You might want to adjust your trailer brake setting after you chain up, if you do chain up. Set it so the trailer brakes drag a little more. This keeps your vehicle straight instead of the trailer trying to get ahead of the towing vehicle...JB

[H. John Kohl]

My opinion, nothing to document what I think.
With my 4X4 dually if I had to put chains on I would go to 4 wheel drive and put the chains on the front tires. If I put then on the duals then I would want to put chains on each tire to keep their diameters equal.
The chains on the trailer are for stopping or keeping it behind the tow vehicle on ice in cross wind.
Also as stated if chained up then keep the speed down to around 20 mph.
Good luck and be SAFE.

[49merc]

mountainmole, try to hit cabbage hill around noon if you can. It should be better by then. I don't envy you one bit but you do what you have to. I made that trip too many times in bad snow conditions but they keep it pretty clear.
Good luck and be safe.
Bob

[mountainmole]

I can't thank you enough for your suggestions and help! Am really nervous about the trip, but am just gonna chill (no pun intended) and take my time. Hope to get over Cabbage by 2:00 or so. Next year at this time its Texas or AZ.

[Mrs. CountryGuy]

Have NO idea WHY you need to be over that pass and fight snow and ice, prayers with you if you must.

Al and I just don't do it. Course we are retired and have the option of sitting out any storm, rain, snow, sleet, ice, whatever, so we do.

The fact that you are claiming nervousness is good, means you will be careful.

Safe rides.

[mountainmole]

Carol & Al, Thanks for your words of advice and concern. We decided your right and are hunkerd down (if you can call it that) at the Wildhorse RV & CASINO. My wife Jenni is overly happy and I'm catching up on "The List" of honey do's. Tomorrow and Monday should bring warmer weather. Your right --- what's the rush.

[Mrs. CountryGuy]

I gotta say, I am VERY relieved to hear that. Reading this thread a few times, gave me the creebies!

Al and I sat out 4 inches of rain last winter on the way to Texas, and we were sure glad we did.

When ya is retarded, errrrrrrrrr, retired, there are few times when ya gotta be somewhere, or drive that hard. Sadly, one of the times when we gotta drive that hard is when we leave here in December, January or February. We need to drive 2.5 to 3.5 days to get someplace warm enough to "un-winterize". We watch the weather and do not leave till everything is right, that means, no snow and no ice for the next 3 days of forecasts. IF, we then get on the road and it goes sour on us, we HUNKER down, just like you did.

Did you hear my sigh of relief when I heard you stayed put!