Donner pass...snow...we sure pick them right...lol

[DaveG]

We are setting out for Donner pass, tomorrow at 8am. It looks like we will have to chain up. We just talked with our buddy at the CHP, and he said that they want to see chains on BOTH tires of the duels. He said buses too .

Plus, we need to have chains on the tag, but we are not a commercial vehicle, so we might not have to do that...We have cable chains, and regular heavy duty old chains. So we can do the tag and one outer drive. Problem is, we don't have chains for the duels . We were going to get them...but...we were told we didn't need them .

So here are my questions. Does anybody know of an actual CA exemption for us to not have to put chains on both tires of the duels? Where can we buy chains for the duels, in the northwest portion of Sacramento on Sunday? And any other tips?

Thanks.

God bless,

John

The old 49'r truck stop would be my first thought

[Ray D]

Snow is not predicted on the pass till this afternoon.  It is not raining at the bottom in the valley yet, you should have plenty of time to get over.  I checked the cameras on 80 and traffic is moving well.  If you do hit snow (as it can change fast) you  can simply turn around.  The CHP will give you that option before it gets too bad.

Ray D

[TomC]

In 21 years and 1.3 million miles of driving cross country truck, I NEVER chained up.  If chains were required, I waited till they weren't.  I always carried cable chains (because of their light weight), but never came out of their boxes.  I had to wait 2 days one time in Wyoming (Wyoming wisely just shuts down the highway when chains are required), but that was the only time.  Mostly, the next day is blazingly bright and beautiful.
Donner is a nasty pass when it is dry.  Please don't push your luck.  Good Luck, TomC

[John316]

Thanks for the advice, guys. We will "push" things a bit, and proceed without a set of chains for the duals. We are hoping we don't have to chain up, but we will see.

We will get a full set of duals, as soon as we can.

BW, good advice. We have the bungee's for the outside, and I like your advice about painting the points.

Nellie, we are on a schedule, but we aren't in a rush going this direction. That is why we are heading up when it looks like we have the best chance of getting over without chaining up.

Cody, great ideas...lol.

Ruthi, thank you for your concern. We will take it slow, and careful. That is the "joy" of winter driving.

DaveG, yup, the 49'r was the one that I called, but they are quite a ways south. We will try to pick up a set in Reno.

Ray, we should be over the pass by then, Lord willing. After that, it is Tuesday that we are coming back. I hope there is a break for us then. We will stay in contact with our buddy at the CHP, and see what he says.

TomC, we will follow your advice, whenever possible .

Thanks again for the concern and advice. It is very appreciated!

God bless,

John

[BG6]

Thanks, guys. I missed the "if possible" part. I doubt that it will be "possible."

Anyways, we are on a schedule. We have the wiggle room going over the pass, but we have to come back over on Tuesday.

If you are coming back, why take the coach?  Have you ever BEEN over Donner?  If you are only going to Reno, rent a car and get a motel room.  You will be a lot happier and actually save money over buying chains and paying to have them installed.

My rule is that I only chain when someone will be seriously harmed if I don't.  If there is any other alternative (including "just plain don't go") I will take that.

Having gone over Donner both ways on Friday, I can tell you that there is NO WAY that I would take my coach there this week.  I had a 4WD and didn't have any trouble, but saw way too many accidents and injuries to risk it with 30,000 lbs on 8 tires.  I saw one accident where a jerk in a pickup tried to make a lane change, slid out and hit the median, then took out a semi (putting the semi driver in the hospital).

[BG6]

would one be best advised to look for chain chains or cable chains? 

Chain chains provide a lot more traction and are more durable.

Cable chains are easier to put on and to carry.

If the objective is to meet the letter of the law, use cables.  If the objective is to actually GET THERE, use chains.

[John316]

Thanks, BG6. We really don't have any other option but to take the coach. And I do feel comfortable installing the chains.

We will see how it goes...

God bless,

John

[BG6]

Chains? Cables? Steak sauce? All great advice!

Just FYI, the steak sauce is a joke.  Look up "Donner Party," for whom the pass and lake are named.

[John316]

We are over Donner Pass, right now. We stopped for a second, so I thought I would update you all.

That pass wasn't a big deal. It was snowing, and somewhat icy, but overall we have been in much worse. So this direction was okay...Tuesday? That could be interesting, but I don't anticipate any issues.

Thanks again.

God bless,

John

[desi arnaz]

did he ever say if he was going east or west?

[John316]

We just went East...Tuesday we will be going West.

God bless,

John

[Busted Knuckle]

did he ever say if he was going east or west?

Yes as a matter of fact he did!

We are setting out for Donner pass, tomorrow at 8am. It looks like we will have to chain up. We just talked with our buddy at the CHP, and he said that they want to see chains on BOTH tires of the duels. He said buses too .
Where can we buy chains for the duels, in the northwest portion of Sacramento on Sunday? And any other tips?

Thanks.
God bless,
John

And then again!

DaveG, yup, the 49'r was the one that I called, but they are quite a ways south. We will try to pick up a set in Reno.
John

And then YES in answer to you asking again.

We just went East...Tuesday we will be going West.
John

[desi arnaz]

sorry i didint pick it up.....

[Ray D]

Ya get a Busted Knuckle for that.....

[buswarrior]

FWIW, my first choice would be the coach in a snowstorm over any smaller vehicle.

Coach spells stable footing.

Pretty much impossible to disrupt your path of travel, snow drifts and rutting will disrupt a sport ute.

Everything stops relatively the same in the snow.

the ONLY condition that a coach is tricky is ice, time to park, but then , so will be the rest of them.

happy coaching!
buswarrior