Oregon winter chain laws

[Byron Kinnaman]

There's been some talk about winter towing. Oregon has a web site call tripcheck, which has cameras and chain requirements. Good information for traveling through Oregon anytime of year. LINK
There's link on that page to the chain laws. This has the most comprehensive listing of the chain laws of all the sites I've looked at. Here's a direct LINK. If would probably be a good idea to look at this LINK too.

Drive and tow safely.

[Bobbie Mayer]

I'm glad I'm already here- no chains were required on any axles on my way down last week! But from what I can understand, AWD would require chains on all four wheels? None on my trailer since it does not have brakes?

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by Bobbie Mayer

I'm glad I'm already here- no chains were required on any axles on my way down last week! But from what I can understand, AWD would require chains on all four wheels? None on my trailer since it does not have brakes?

When I moved to Oregon I finally called DMV for clarification on 4WD/AWD vehicles and chains. Unless specifically posted "Chains Required" 4WD/AWD with traction tires (M/S rated) suffice. Normally the only two roads in Oregon that post "Chains Required" are the roads up to Timberline Lodge on Mt Hood and Century Drive up to the Mt Bachelor ski resort.

You are correct about the trailer, though - no brakes, no chains.

Charlie Y

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by tractors1

When I moved to Oregon I finally called DMV for clarification on 4WD/AWD vehicles and chains. Unless specifically posted "Chains Required" 4WD/AWD with traction tires (M/S rated) suffice. Normally the only two roads in Oregon that post "Chains Required" are the roads up to Timberline Lodge on Mt Hood and Century Drive up to the Mt Bachelor ski resort.

You are correct about the trailer, though - no brakes, no chains.

Charlie Y

M/S rated tires and 4WD/AWD without towing are OK when "chains required". You don't have to have chains. "Conditional closure-chains required" chains are required period.
If you're towing and "chains required", M/S tires don't matter, you still still have to put on chains with M/S tires.
Read the links I provided as the start of this thread.
Chains are sometimes required on most mountain passes, NOT just Timberline Road and Century Drive. At the moment chains are required on I-5 south of Grant's Pass.

I have lived here for well over 50 years and have driven the mountain passes many many times in the winter. Some winters almost every week-end in my working years.

[Raz]

I'm curious, are the roads treated with salt/sand as well? Raz

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by P. Raz

I'm curious, are the roads treated with salt/sand as well? Raz

Sand yes, salt no.

[Bobbie Mayer]

I read it the way Byron did. When chains are required all vehicles when towing have to have them. Besides, traction tires are not the same as all-weather tires. I don't have traction tires. I carried one set of chains when I went through in the winter, towing, but knew I'd have to stop and wait it out if chains were actually required. (Easier for me to schedule my trip to avoid the need.)

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by Bobbie Mayer

I read it the way Byron did. When chains are required all vehicles when towing have to have them. Besides, traction tires are not the same as all-weather tires. I don't have traction tires. I carried one set of chains when I went through in the winter, towing, but knew I'd have to stop and wait it out if chains were actually required. (Easier for me to schedule my trip to avoid the need.)

According to ODOT traction tires are basicly studded tires. There are a few tires made with a winter compound that are considered traction tires. Much of the time "traction tires" can be used instead of chains. During my skiing days I used studded tires on 2 wheel drive then switched to a 4x4 and never had to put on chains.
FYI... I don't think it's enforced but the law requires that you carry chains in snow zones from Nov to April. (Not sure of exact dates). I bought chains for my truck and for the trailer. They get to travel the country since they live in the back of the truck.

[Donna D.]

Chains required south of Eugene (Oregon) on snow-packed I-5

Notice this line: ODOT said that traction tires are allowed in place of chains on vehicles under 10,000 GVW, however any vehicle towing something must use chains.

So, there you have it.

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Chains required south of Eugene (Oregon) on snow-packed I-5

Notice this line: ODOT said that traction tires are allowed in place of chains on vehicles under 10,000 GVW, however any vehicle towing something must use chains.

So, there you have it.

Do you know what "traction tires" are?

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Chains required south of Eugene (Oregon) on snow-packed I-5

Notice this line: ODOT said that traction tires are allowed in place of chains on vehicles under 10,000 GVW, however any vehicle towing something must use chains.

So, there you have it.

That's changed now. The first and only place on I-5 chains are required is Canyon Creek Pass.

[Donna D.]

The information changes hourly. I was merely wanting to pointing out when chains are required. And yes, Byron... I know what a traction tire is. For the less initiated, see this page, it's the second heading: Communications Winter Travel Tips and Information

[Roger C H]

I was just reading my Subaru Owner's Manual and it stated in there that chains should not be used because of the lack of body clearance. Now what?

This is why i use Hwy101 instead of I-5 - to avoid the Siskiyous.

[Laura & Rick]

Roger, how about cable "chains"?

[Jim_B]

Originally Posted by Roger C H

I was just reading my Subaru Owner's Manual and it stated in there that chains should not be used because of the lack of body clearance. Now what?

This is why i use Hwy101 instead of I-5 - to avoid the Siskiyous.

I used chains on my Subaru's with out any problem. I can't remember if you have an Outback or not.

[accrete]

Heck if i'm ever going to chain up four perfectly good Mountain/Snowflake Stamped All Season radials on my AWD van! The Parkliner stays home and we just do it all in the van conversion. (That was a "G Rated" statement).