Does RV need chains

[Dbsullie]

I have a 2016 Allegro Open Road with good tires. If I head out west in December and travel through the Rockies (Interstate 80) does the MH need chains in snowy conditions?

[Waiter21]

If I head out west in December and travel through the Rockies (Interstate 80) does the MH need chains in snowy conditions?

Welcome to the forum...

A lot of the Rocky Mountain states have a "Must Carry" chains laws. That means if you get stopped, or you need to get pulled out of a ditch, you'll be asked where your chains are. If you don't have them, you could be cited..

With that said, I don't carry them.. When the weather turns to crap, I find a nice cozy parking lot or campground and wait it out.. Its usually no more than a 24 hour delay while the storm passes and the roads are plowed.

In some states, they will actually close I-80 if they can't keep up..

If you get into a bad storm, yes, you will need them. I've crossed the Sierra's many times (Sacramento to Reno) in a four wheeler and once or twice a year, I'd need to chain up to get over Donner Summit.

IMPORTANT - Chains break, links will break and start flinging the chain. When this happens, it will destroy the underside of your MH...

If its an emergency and you MUST travel, many of the roadside installers will sell and install a set of chains for you..

[vsheetz]

Some states have chain laws. You have to at least have them during certain months. Oregon is one. We carry chains when traveling there from SoCal. No intention of ever putting them on - will just hole up somewhere till the weather clears. But you have to have them onboard if asked.

[Old-Biscuit]

Buy a set for your drive wheels........put them on couple times in your warm, dry driveway so IF you do have to use you are familiar with them

Then place in storage compartment and forget about them......unless ASKED.

https://www.thebalance.com/chain-laws-by-state-1361486

[AITG]

Check out autosocks. They won't damage the body and satisfy most state requirements.

[CarlAda]

Need, no. Required to carry in some states, yes. I chose to buy Autosocks for my coach. Hopefully, I'm not in a situation where I would need to actually install them, but at least I could do so without damage to my coach should I choose to install them. I would never put chains on my coach.

[Arch Hoagland]

I have traveled in winter through all the western states and never carried chains. If it's going to snow I stay in a park until the roads are clear. I don't want to be on icy roads with people who go 65mph and, believe me, there are a lot of them out there.

[saddlesore]

The Auto socks are not universally recognized by all states.
As per OOIDA Landline mag
2017-2018 Chain Laws

[MSHappyCampers]

Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

We Southerners don't know much about those things! Keep her between the ditches!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

[Mr_D]

In WA state traction devices (AutoSocks qualifie) are required for any vehicle with a GVWR of 10,000#'s or over on some passes even if you don't need to put them on. You are still required to carry them and they must fit your vehicle.
I have AutoSocks for the MH and towed.

[1bigmess]

As you can see from the chart on the link below, the laws out west, even in the states that get large amounts of severe winter weather, are not at all consistent.

The OOIDA link has the best info I've seen posted so far so I'll repost it for effect

What you will see though is that in some states, chains must be *carried* on certain routes in the winter. You have to have them even if the sun is shining, there isn't a snowflake to be seen, and the temp is almost 40 degrees.

If you are going to carry them, then you might as well know how to use them. When I visited Yosemite a year ago, the only way I was going to get into the park on the day I arrived was to chain up before I got any further than the entrance, as it was snowing when I showed up and they closed the entrances shortly after I got in. I have a lot of experience with snow chains and driving in nasty winter weather. YMMV.

If you want what might be the easiest to install and best riding traction devices out there if you are actually gonna use them, get Z-Chain. If you just want the bare minimum to satisfy the laws, buy the cheapest cable chains you can and keep them where you can easily show a highway department worker or police officer if they ask.

In my opinion, if you are physically unable, or simply unwilling, to install tire chains, stay out of the places where you really might need them. You're not just a risk to yourself on the highway if using traction devices would have prevented a crash. The desert SW is lovely in the winter. I think the deep South probably is too. Please don't think I am trying to be mean with this opinion.

[ArgoPilot]

Quick check of the Autosock website shows some additional info state-by-state. Letters of verification from DOT directors are often included on their site.

I double-checked with Oregon DOT, and they do indeed recognize this product as an qualifying traction device. Hope no one else has any ideas...y'all know how organized government is in taking your money, not so much in helping you AVOID said taking.

[saddlesore]

Originally Posted by ArgoPilot

Quick check of the Autosock website shows some additional info state-by-state. Letters of verification from DOT directors are often included on their site.

I double-checked with Oregon DOT, and they do indeed recognize this product as an qualifying traction device. Hope no one else has any ideas...y'all know how organized government is in taking your money, not so much in helping you AVOID said taking.

Thanks,,, You posted the Oregon update before I could get to it! LOL!

[Mr_D]

AutoSock website shows that they are approved in all 50 states with some exceptions like if the troopers determine only chains will suffice.
I have them for both the MH and towed, hope I never have to use them.