Tire chains - 2004 Dolphin LX

[ctusdenny]

Curious if others have used chains on their Dolphin? I plan to use the MH this winter for a few skiing trips outside Seattle. There are a few different types of chains and cable-chain setups available. Not sure which to get.

Sometimes Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass require chains for vehicles over 10k lbs. I suppose I'd probably only use these chains for very short distances (15-20 miles) or emergencies.

Any thoughts or past experiences appreciated.

[ottffss]

Autosock Autosock or http://www.autosock.com is Colorado CDOT commercial truck approved (maybe other states too) and may be what you are looking for - easy store, easy install, inexpensive (relatively), unlikely to cause vehicle damage...

[bigdog]

I got my chains at Les Schwab for under $100 and they are the regular commercial chains with the new type of fasteners.They are very easy to put on,especially if you have a ramp for the inside dual.This is the same kind as we use at the Bremerton school dist where I drive school bus.I had to use them going over White pass several years ago on a trip to Moscow,Id and had them on for over thirty miles and they showed very little wear.Kinda a rough ride when the snow got thin or very hard especially since my bus didn't have air suspension..
We made the ramps out of a piece of 4X6 about 36" long with a ramp on one end and also put a piece of that metal grid on it for traction.Lifts the inside wheel up and you just loop the chains over the tire and fasten them.

[Rick 2005 Dolphin 5376]

Wow, chains on the Dolphin. There's no place I need to be enough to put chains on a motor home. You got large %^&^$#.

[Stevegd007]

Rick...I agree...there is no place I really need to go in the winter with our MH using tire chains. I would turn around an go the other way...away from the snow. Ya..thats the ticket!

[ctusdenny]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick 2005 Dolphin 5376 Wow, chains on the Dolphin. There's no place I need to be enough to put chains on a motor home. You got large %^&^$#.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevegd007 Rick...I agree...there is no place I really need to go in the winter with our MH using tire chains. I would turn around an go the other way...away from the snow. Ya..thats the ticket!

Guys...in Washington State, it's often required that vehicles over 10K pounds carry tire chains when traversing mountain passes. They are really only for emergency use, and not a planned trip.

By your comments, I guess you'd be surprised how many people use their MH for skiing in the winter. The two primary resorts nearby have RV lots with power hook-ups, and they are packed solid thoughout the ski season.

[Rick 2005 Dolphin 5376]

Well yes, I am surprised. Not being a skier it never entered my mind to use the RV for snow skiing.

[ottffss]

Here in basically Summit County Colorado (Breckenridge, Keystone, Copper, Cooper, ABasin, Loveland, Vail, Beaver Creek) the only winter RV CG in the area has some 50-100 rigs on any given ski day - coming and going or staying all season - and is totally sold out (some nearly 400 sites) for all the holidays (and those reservations better be made a year in advance)!

Yep, lots of RVs in ski country!

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[JohnFreyja]

ottffss,
I bought AutoSocks for my Toad to try out before buying them for the RV. Haven't had to opportunity yet so no report but just want to mention that they are very specific about not using them on bare pavement. They are definitely easy to put on and pretty much eliminate the danger of damage to your vehicle due to clearance issues. Not sure if they are approved here in Washington State though. They are approved in Colorado and throughout Europe.