SirThumper

LIFETIME SPONSOR
Sep 9, 2000
444
0
Hey Strick, are you and yours ok? I heard the wind got kind of hairy over there over the weekend.

I think it made it here now only not quite as strong.
 

dirty~d~

Resident nudist
LIFETIME SPONSOR
Apr 17, 2002
1,974
0
Originally posted by Strick
Dave - where are you moving to in April?

You'll be missed by many. I'll e-mail you pics of this coming year's dead animal(s).

Dave?  :eek:  Uh, I know I PLAY with the boys, but SHEESH!  :moon:  I'm moving to Chicago.  :yeehaw:
 

GETMETOCA

Can't Wait For Tuesdays
Mar 17, 2002
4,765
0
Okay, a little question about snow chains. I have never driven to Reno in the Winter. A friend just told me to go buy chains at Pep Boys, etc. and just keep them with me. What are the chances of actually having to put them ON??? I've heard of services that put them on for you, but what about once I get to Reno and if I no longer need them ON anymore? What happens when you drive on non-snow pavement with chains on? What tools are required to put them on or take them off?
 

JWW

LIFETIME SPONSOR
Apr 13, 2000
2,527
2
Im also going to pick up some chains before leaving. Since I have never used them Im going to do a trial run in the driveway. Better to figure it out in my driveway then the freezing road.

I apologize to who ever it was but somebody offered me the use of their chains. Please PM me

Jeff

 
 

E-Ticket

~SPONSOR~
Dec 16, 2000
735
0
Good questions, Natalie... Obviously you didn't grow up in snow-land!

I'm going to let Susan tell you how to use -- and make her tell you her story -- about putting them on the rear tires -- of her front-wheel drive Saab.

<really big grin>

Cheers! - E-Ticket
 

Strick

LIFETIME SPONSOR
Nov 8, 1999
1,782
2
Yes, as mentioned above: KEY - put the chains on the drive wheels. You need to buy chains to fit the size tires on your car. There are chain jockies at the chaining areas to assist you (for a fee). If you read the instructions thoroughly before leaving you will have NO problems putting them on. Taking them off is much easier. Release, pull forward 8 feet and they are off. No damage will occur if you run chains on dry pavement at low speeds for a short periods of time. You should get them off as soon as possible.

I am going to guess that the odds of you needing chains over I-80 is 10-15%. Odds of needing chains on U.S. 395 - 15-20%. Just watch the weather channels closely a week or so before the day you plan on leaving.

If our current weather situation is what has you concerned, don't use that as your guide. December is our worst month, seasonally, by far.
 

GETMETOCA

Can't Wait For Tuesdays
Mar 17, 2002
4,765
0
Originally posted by Strick
I am going to guess that the odds of you needing chains over I-80 is 10-15%.&nbsp;

Thanks for the words I wanted to hear!! :thumb: It seems like every time I've been over I-80 in the winter, chains were not required and I was not driving, so it didn't cross my mind.
 

Strick

LIFETIME SPONSOR
Nov 8, 1999
1,782
2
p.s. I have lived in Northern Nevada for 35 years. I have never had to chain up to go anywhere (AND I SKI). I have owned SUVs for the past 6 years, but even before - never chained up.

So, you ask yourself 'then how does Strick even know how to put on or take off chains.' Answer: I worked at rental car agencies in my early years of college. I have put on more chains than most people, because I got paid to.
 
Last edited:

The Ant

Member
Jan 3, 2002
275
0
Natalie,
I used to have an old Dodge Dart (rear wheel drive), went skiing by myself all the time and got good at putting on chains. The easiest way is to lay them out flat in the direction of travel in front of the wheels you are putting them on. Have the hooks to the front, inside of chains facing up. Then slowly drive on to them to about a foot from the front edge. Get out and loop the chains over the tires, back to front, hook as necessary and attach the stretchers if they have them. The box you buy them in will have additional instructions if you need it. The only time you have to jack the car up is if you get stuck in a spot you can't drive forward...or backward for that matter. And like Strick said, to get them off, just unhook and drive off them. And you might want to practice in your driveway once.
And in fact, the first time I put them on my new Saab, I stopped in the chainup area, jumped out and got them on the rear tires easy, maybe took ten minutes. Got back in the car, sat for a second, um, oh yeah, this is a front wheel drive car. So after looking around to see who was laughing their heads off, I hopped out, changed them to the front wheels, and was off.
You can do it yourself, no problem. Bring some gloves you don't mind getting dirty.
Susan
BBR200
CRF230 on order...
 

NVR FNSH

~SPONSOR~
Oct 31, 2000
1,235
0
Another thing to add to the chain bag - cheap knee pads w/plastic slider. I can't kneel down on my left knee since ACL reconstruction and you'll end up on the ground at least once installing chains.

Brian
 

SirThumper

LIFETIME SPONSOR
Sep 9, 2000
444
0
Don't be to quick to put on chains.&nbsp; If you are going to be running on solid Ice for a long distance, put them on. wet&nbsp;slushy roads, slow down and drive carefully.&nbsp; Fresh snow, Slow down and drive carefully.

Common sense plays a big part in winter driving.&nbsp; The only way I can see you needing them at all is comming over the mountain into Reno, and that is only if the weather is extreme at the time.

I'm like Strick, I have been here in Idaho for 20yrs and I never have chained up on the road.&nbsp; I have chained up in deep,deep snow and while driving on solid ice on the mountain roads though.

If you get into bad weather, don't panic, slow down and take it easy, youll be fine. :thumb:
 

Strick

LIFETIME SPONSOR
Nov 8, 1999
1,782
2
I must admit I have driven around a chain control once. The spot outside of Bishop CA before you get to Mammoth. We stopped acted like we got them out of the trunk waited about 5 minutes and left. AND I am still here to tell the story. Deadman's pass at Mammoth is pretty hairball at times.
 

SirThumper

LIFETIME SPONSOR
Sep 9, 2000
444
0
LOL, that tells you how much I get out, I've never heard of manditory&nbsp;chain controlers. :)

Here if it is bad enough for chains, the Interstate is closed.&nbsp; There is a pass near where I live that is terrible in the winter and is the cause of a 60 mile section of interstate to be closed several times a year.
 

firecracker22

Sponsoring Member
Oct 23, 2000
3,213
0
I've never seen chains enforced . . . occasionally the pass here says "chains required" but no one makes you obey. Plus, 4x4s are excluded. We always have snow and ice in winter here and I have never had any major problems. I don't even run studs. I just slow down (a little) and take everything easy.

There are also chains that you can put on without laying them out and rolling over them. Check with a tire dealer to see if they would fit and work on your vehicle. They don't work on everything. Cable chains are a little more forgiving than link chains.
 

oldandslo

Member
Aug 29, 2001
272
0
Chain control in CA sucks. Got a speeding ticket near Tahoe years ago. The road was 80% clear of snow, some slush. I had 4 wheel drive and was exempt from putting on chains. But not from speeding. Speed limit during chain control is 25mph. CHP did not like me going 40mph.

Like Jeff said, practice in your driveway first. Nuthin like trying to put chains on that don't fit. Its usually cold and wet. Those chain tighteners should be mandatory when you buy chains. They help keep your chains tight on your wheels.
 

Strick

LIFETIME SPONSOR
Nov 8, 1999
1,782
2
Back to business, less than 2 months to go, and the ground is getting tons (literally) of moisture. This year's ride is looking good. We may even be able to ski the backside of the dogskins again. Remember that Brian?
 

E-Ticket

~SPONSOR~
Dec 16, 2000
735
0
Just got new Michelin Pilot Alpins put on the WRX... and the tire chains go behind the seat. We're ready!

Woo-hoo!! Strick, you'll have to try out my new KTM 450 EXC this time.
And if we're lucky, Susan will have the new CRF230/e-start put into her little BBR.

Could be fun! Cheers! - RandyB
 

Dirtygirly

~SPONSOR~
Feb 28, 2000
78
0
I know here in spokane you can buy chains from les schwab and if you don't use them you can return them after the winter and get your money back. I would imagine that they have the same policy at their other stores.
 

endoquest

LIFETIME SPONSOR
Dec 4, 2000
325
0
Hi Strick and everyone else, I'm still sittin' on the fence about the Reno ride. Bonehead and I might do a last minute road trip, we'll have to wait and see. Hope to do it, thx all, bye.
 

CJ Rider

~SPONSOR~
Apr 3, 2000
699
0
So, my boss dragged me along on a business trip to a little town in the middle of nowhere Nevada this past week. We flew into Reno and drove past the exit for Moonrocks (Pyramid Way)... You could just FEEL the exitement building for our upcoming ride!!! It was funny because there was some snow coming down, but I was STILL thinking to myself that the weather seemed really nice for a ride in the desert with good traction! If that's as bad as the weather gets, then we're golden!
 

E-Ticket

~SPONSOR~
Dec 16, 2000
735
0
Endoquest: "Failure is not an option."

==You WILL come ride with us and have too much fun.==

[we now return you to your regularly scheduled programming....]
 

desert_racer

LIFETIME SPONSOR
Feb 2, 2000
538
0
I think that endoquest and bonehead may be afraid to face off against the mighty Bunster from SoCal.

Can anyone say ccchhhhiiiicckkkkkeeennnnnn!!!!!!!! :moon:

Come on boys... You gotta come and join in on the fun....
 
Top Bottom