Chains

[drknapp]

We are headed up I5 to Oregon the end of the week. I know we are required to carry chains in the Siskiyou area. I have cables for the truck. Is the anything special you need for the trailer or will a set of cables suffice there also?

Thanks,
Dave

[blarkman]

Watch the weather and I check "odot web cams" for road conditions in the mountains. If you have not bought chains yet pick then up at Les Schwab as if you do not have to use them you can take them back for a refund!!! Have a goodtrip
bob

[klash]

We live on Vancouver Island, in British Columbia, and we are leaving here on the morning
of the 15th of November to head to Arizona for the winter. If the Department of Highways posts a mandatory chain up you have choices. Bail out and find a nearby campground, or chain up. California law requires a set of chains on one set of any trailer wheels that have brakes. In all our journeys, we bailed out once at the chain up area in Ashland, OR when we were heading south. We turned around went back into Talent, OR and stayed at a park there. Next day all was back to normal, and we got over the pass with no problems.
To find out what conditions you may be facing go to the following link and check out the
road cameras. The little round circles will also give you road conditions when you click on them. http://www.tripcheck.com/Pages/RCMap...RoadConditions

Hope you have a great trip.

[jackel1959]

We have cable chains for our Montana. Have not had to use them, but did get them at Les Schwab. When you do get them do a test fit to make sure they fit properly and I would suggest they go on the rear axle of the trailer. That way if one fails they won't go back into the other set of tires and axle. The Siskiyous can be real "FUN" this time of year! Enjoy your trip and travel safe.
Jack

[drknapp]

Thanks all! I'll pick up some cable chains. I'm hoping to never have to use them.

[clarkandsheila]

I live in B.C., Gibsons, so run the Siskiyous. I carry a set of cable chains for both the truck and the trailer. Haven't used them yet. We do watch the weather but one could get caught.

[drknapp]

The weather report is looking pretty bad for this weekend. Is there a good way to hop over to the coast and back?

[HamRad]

drknapp,
Dave there is no "easy" way to "hop" over to the coast and back onto I-5. Your best bet is to wait it out south of the mountain area. If headed north you can stay at Redding. Or you can take the 299 west to the coast. Then go up the 101 to Crescent City and take the 199 over to Grants Pass. Once you get to Redding there is no easy route to the coast. And the 299 is a good but challenging route as is the 199!

The I-5 is seldom closed for very long since it is THE major north south route on the West Coast. Of course you can always chain up and try your luck. Don't forget that you do need to have chains for one of the trailers axles besides the drive wheels on your tow vehicle.

Best bet if cold and snowy and icy is to wait until it is clear.

Good luck,
HamRad

[drknapp]

Thanks HamRad,

I think we will wait it out in the Red Bluff/Redding area. I did buy some cables for the Montana. But only because I have to have them with me. I hope to never have to use them.

[clarkandsheila]

Dave,
You must carry them for both the truck and the trailer, not just one vehicle, one axle on each. Oregon is very specific about that and explains on their site. I too hope never to use them but carry them just in case. Try them on both vehicles to make sure you know how to fit them and that they do indeed fit. Also make sure you have enough bungees to secure loose chain and hold them tight on the tire. I'd also suggest some Tyraps or Zapstraps to secure the closure clips.

May the force be with you and never use them, just be fully prepared.

[drknapp]

Thanks!

I bought cables and have them with me. The I5 and the pass apparently got hit pretty good this weekend, so we went over to the coast and routed around it. It added a couple hours to the trip, but we only hit rain along the way.

[Carl n Susan]

Sunday I drove from Seattle to Sacramento (in the car, not towing). While cold and overcast, the roads were clear and dry until just south of Dunsmuir. There we encountered some rain that was trying to freeze but the temperature was a little too high. Today is a different story. My son reports 6" of snow on the ground in Seattle with a high of 29.

[grampachet]

We were planning on taking the Monty from Langley BC to Chehalis WA today, taking the grandkids back home. Glad we didn't. Our daughter and SIL have been trying to get home from near SeaTac since 2:00. Still not home yet, real bad driving conditions. Tomorrow Monty stays home and we take the 4x4.

[Backroads]

We moved to Grants Pass last year. Got settled and now plan to head out for the winter. Probably Las Vegas/Phoenix and will leave mid Dec. I bought chains for the truck but didn't plan on getting them for the trailer. I planned on chicken-out if I saw snow. But thanks for the advice, I'll go get some cables for the trailer just in case.

[hookman]

I bought chains last year but never saw snow in the passes and on the way home there was snow about half way down the mountains in Palm Springs and about a 100 yards above the road in the pass east of Bakersfield. At home here they were hauling in snow for the Olympics at Cypress Bowl. I bought my chains at Sears which where cheap as I planned on keeping them.

[drknapp]

Well, we are going to head back South tomorrow. Weather isn't looking too bad for the passes (right now anyhow) so hopefully I'll get through with out using the cables.

[jackel1959]

The weather is suppose to start warming now so it should be mostly rain. Keep checking the DOT websites for the latest road conditions. Take care and travel safe.

Jack