On January 9, 2013 4:51:28 PM Scott Daniel - Turbovans
<scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM> wrote:
> Have you tried Studless Winter Tires ?
> such as the Bridgestone WS-70 ?
> they're awesome.
>
> way way mo' betta than 'snow tires.'
> It's not just the tread pattern , it's the rubber compound too.
>
> some Kailfornia tire chains stories -
> They get nervous about idiots spinning out and blocking I-80 , so
> sometimes they just close that freeway, even if it's plowed clean.
> One time I get to just a bit west of Aubrun ..all vehicles must exit.
> I pull up the guy , he says, cross the freewayand head back West.
> I say can I park here until you open the road?
> "No, you must turn around and go back West."
> So I got back one exit..
> get on some nicely plowed back raods, bypass about 30 miles of empty,.
> clenaly plowed freeway ..
> and put right onto I-80 again ..no cars, nocops, no road blocks ..just
> nice plowed freeway.
> Get up to a ski area near Donner Pass ...awesome 4 inches of fresh pow.
> They lie to motorists.
>
> Another time ..I'm having an awesome day at Homewood. Deep fresh powder.
> Radio is saying 'I-80 closed in defenitly at Truckee. " I got by there,
> people are lined up by the onramp ..waiting and waiting, sleeping in
> their cars.
>
> I take old Donner Pass Raod ...on chains ...2wd turbo diesel vanagon ,
> 2WD ...
> it's plowed and clear, ...I drive up that road and again ..pull right
> onto an empty and cleanly plowed I-80 and drive all the way to Berekely
> ..and the TV is saying ' I-80 closed indefinitely at Truckee.' ..
> yet if you can get around where they stop you ..
> the road is clear and empty.
>
> last story - leaving South Lake Tahoe ..over Echo Pass on Hwy 50 ..
> Caltrains has a check point at the bottom of the hill in So. Lake Tahoe .
> they have some worker ......
> not even a 'car person' I don't think....asking each driver if they have
> FWD or Rear Wheel Drive ..
> then they look at the tires.
> Hell..........LOTS of people don't have any idea if they have FWD or RWD ..
> I get half way up the big hill..........cars are blocked..
> somebody ...........a very very non-car savvy person is sideways
> blocking things .....with 'good tires' on the wrong end of the car
> probably ...
> just stupid .  And a legal liabiity actualy.
>
> The biggest problem with driving on snow in Ca is .......the cops and
> all the idiots .
> The roads themselves and the condiitons are seldom much of a problem at
> all.
>
> and if you have not tried true dedicated Studless Winter Tires ...you
> should !
> I'd buyanother set of the Bridgestones I have any time.
> all 4 of course, not just two.
>
> scott
> www.turbovans.com
>
> On 1/9/2013 1:07 PM, Al Knoll wrote:
> > I LOVE a good tire tread, sorry Jeff, couldn't help myself.
> >
> > I've used AT/KOs for well over 150Kmiles in both the 195 and the 215
> > sizes.  Both perform very well in snow.  As good as Nokians or Conti
> > Contacts or Vredesteins, no data available.  In Calichi (sp?) mud they plug
> > up and simply give up.  Then you slip slidin' away no matter what.
> >
> > Snow vs Ice is a science.  Snow traction is achieved by packing the snow
> > with the tread.  Ice traction with only rubber is problematic as the thin
> > film of water that exists on the boundary between tire and ice is a great
> > lubricant hence the siping.  Lots of stuff on your favorite scientific
> > website on this.
> >
> > McNeely is concerned about being cited or incarcerated for running
> > "illegal" tires.  Here in Kalifornia we have various tire restrictions
> > R0,R1,R2 and R3, that dictate the traction law at the time and location.
> > Yep, they will cite you and if you smart off to the flathat you'll get a
> > summons along with an arrest and a gargantuan tow charge.  Just remember
> > you don't get cited for breaking the law, you get cited for getting caught
> > breaking the law.  Hands at 10 and 2, sunglasses off, hat off, window down,
> > wait for the officer to speak, be nice, be obedient, even cheerful.  Answer
> > all the questions in a pleasant professional manner. You may question the
> > cititation, before siging it.  If you see an error do not point it out.  If
> > you don't sign the citation you will be arrested.
> >
> > If asked to get out of your car you are allowed to ask why.  Ask before
> > reaching into the glovebox for your registration and insurance papers.  Do
> > not consent to a search of your person or your vehicle without a warrant.
> > (See 4th Amendment US Constitution).
> >
> > http://tirechain.com/california-chain-requirement.htm  has the skinny on
> > what and where and the definitions of the R codes.
> >
> > I suspect the "snowflake" bit is for folks who have a hard time with the
> > next paragraph.
> >
> > dot.ca.gov has :
> >
> >
> > *Are “all-weather” or “all-terrain” tires the same as “snow” tires?*
> >
> > They may be. Snow tires have the designation “Mud & Snow” or an
> > abbreviation such as “M-S,” “M+S,” or “M/S” marked on the tire sidewall.
> > Tires without this designation are not considered snow tires. Snow tires
> > must also have at least 6/32-inch (3/16”) of tread depth (about 1/2 of the
> > original tread depth).
> >
> > *Are cable chains permitted?*
> >
> > Usually. They are permitted for passenger cars and light trucks under
> > virtually all conditions. Cables are not as effective as link-type chain
> > under severe conditions at higher elevations and steep grades for
> > “big-rigs” and may not be permitted depending on local conditions as
> > determined by Caltrans. Whenever chain controls are posted over Donner Pass
> > on Interstate 80, heavy trucks are usually required to have link-type chain
> > on at least the main drive axle.
> >
> > *Must chains be carried in exempted vehicles?*
> >
> > Vehicles without chains are not permitted to enter chain control areas and
> > must return to a lower elevation where chains are not required. There is no
> > provision to park vehicles at chain control check points.
> >
> > *What does it mean when the radio road information says “trucks are being
> > screened?”*
> >
> > During inclement or unsettled weather conditions, Caltrans may set up truck
> > screening check points at approaches to major mountain highways. When these
> > screens are present, all heavy-duty trucks must stop and show Caltrans
> > personnel that they have the required chains on board to proceed. Trucks
> > without chains will be directed to return to a lower elevation until
> > weather improves. There is no room available at higher elevations to park
> > trucks not equipped with chains.
> >
> > *What are the dates for studded snow tires?*
> >
> > Studded snow tires are permitted in California from November 1 until April
> > 30 each year. During this time, studded tires are permitted in any location
> > within the state. Studded snow tires are not considered tire traction
> > devices and may not be used in lieu of chains.
> >
> > *If I have 4-wheel-drive, do I need to carry chains?*
> >
> > Yes. Even though weather conditions may not warrant the use of chains on
> > 4-wheel-drive vehicles at a particular time, to enter a chain control area,
> > you must have a set of chains (for one drive axle) for your vehicle in your
> > possession. If conditions worsen or you have trouble controlling your
> > vehicle, you must stop and install the chains.
> >
> > *If I have snow tires, do I need to carry chains?*
> >
> > Yes. Even though weather conditions may not warrant the use of chains on
> > passenger vehicles equipped with snow tires at a particular time, to enter
> > a chain control area, you must have a set of chains (one pair) for your
> > vehicle in your possession. If conditions worsen or you have trouble
> > controlling your vehicle, you must stop and install the chains.
> >
> > *If I have snow tires on a heavy-duty commercial vehicle, do I need to
> > carry chains?*
> >
> > Yes. There is no exemption for heavy-duty commercial vehicles (over 6,500
> > pounds gross weight) equipped with snow tires. Chains must be installed on
> > heavy-duty commercial vehicles whenever chain controls are posted.
> >
> > *If I have studded snow tires, do I need to carry chains?*
> >
> > Yes. Studded snow tires are not considered tire traction devices and may
> > not be used in lieu of chains.
> >
> > And that my friends is the story.  NB you are allowed to travel without the
> > squirrel coat but you'll be a heck of a lot colder puttin on them
> > chainies.  Gloves, shovel, hat, Sorels (canadian bedroom slippers) and so
> > on always in my winter kit along with rodent food.
> >
> > Pensionerd.  (Drive on)
> >