Tire chains required by law?

[JK Hunter Howdy]

We are going to Co, Ut, Az, and NM the first two weeks of Oct. My tire chains I have will not fit my tires on the Jeep. Should I get new chains before we go or will I be legal with 4 wheel drive and snow tires? A set of 4 chains weigh about 80 to 100lbs.so I'm thinking of losing the weight for this trip. ( 4500 to 5000 miles) Any help or suggestions will be appreciated.


Thanks, Howdy

[Henthorn]

upper UT roads specify "Chains or Snow Tires required to use this road between ___ and ___"

Coming from utah and personal expirience... You'll be fine with some GOOD snow tires... Get GOOD ones or your going to be sorry on some of those roads!


From personal expirience: Your not going to see snow at all while your in AZ.

[AZJeeper]

The good old owners manual:

Install chains on rear tires only. Tire chains may be installed on all models except the Sahara and Rubicon. Follow these recommendations to guard against damage and excessive tire and chain wear:


Use chains on P225/75R16 tires only. P245/75R16, P255/75R17, P255/70R18, and LT255/75R17 tires donot provide adequate clearance.
Use SAE class “S” tire chains or traction devices only.
Chains must be the proper size for the vehicle, as recommended by the chain manufacturer.
Follow tire chain manufacturer’s instructions for mounting chains.

Having said that, the average temperature in AZ deserts during early October is in the upper 80's. They don't start requiring chains around here until the temperature falls below 75. :rotflmao2:

I used to hunt in the higher elevations starting the last weekend in October. Even then the temps are usually in the 70's, though I have been snowed in on occasion. Colorado can get nasty, but rarely that early.

[JK Hunter Howdy]

We are going to Colorado. I must have left that out of my original post. :crazyeyes:I have seen 1 1/2 feet of snow in the San Juan's in September. We will be going over 13,000 feet, don't want to get stranded. I didn't think we would have snow in the Painted Desert.:rollingeyes: I only included Arizona in my question because it is part of our itinerary. We are going to Albuquerque, then on across I-40 to Flagstaff and up to the Grand Canyon before heading on up to Utah and Colorado.


Howdy

[camden19]

You dont have to have chains if you have 4wd and snow tires.

[husker_shoe]

Chains laws here in CO only apply to vans over 15 person capacity and anything larger, such as semis which is why the interstate where I live is re-paved every year. It gets destroyed in a hurry with all those chains

[JK Hunter Howdy]

Thanks camden19, I thought that was right but wasn't sure.


Howdy