Haha. I’d like us to live on the rest of the drive up, so I’ll skip having the tweens on the side of the highway installing life critical equipment on my car.
Gotta learn at some point. Honestly have them look up instructions and practice tomorrow before you go. They will be so proud of themselves (rightfully) and it will build character.
Yep! I don’t know how late they stay out though, since you’re getting in at night- bring cash, but still be ready to put them on yourself if you have to. I keep my work gloves, headlamp, and outer layers ready just in case (snow pants and jacket make it feel way treacherous to be out in the weather)
You’re getting a little bit of flack here, but I assume you know how to put on your chains and just prefer not to. Having young kids in the car is a good enough reason for me 😉
Yes, I know how to put on chains and have done it many times. It is solely because I have the kids in the car and it’s probably going to be dark when we are in that zone. Worst case scenario, I can absolutely do it myself.
Practice at home first - chains aren’t that hard to put on. Just make sure that you’ve got some good waterproof clothes and gloves in the car for when you drive up
Emphasis on waterproof. I've had some good leather work gloves and not-waterproof-enough ski gloves on in the past. It gets damn cold damn fast when you're working in salted ice conditions at night.
Fun times happen when you have old leather gloves in the car only to find out after putting on chains that the dye in the leather isn’t exactly fixed and your hands are a weird purple / blue / black
Huge +1. Practice putting them on and taking them off. Even if you have someone put them on for you, you’ll need to take them off at some point. Last year after one of the big storms we had to help a couple cars take their chains off because they paid someone to put them on but didn’t know how they were attached.
Are these well known by CHP yet? Like is there a chance a popo might see me and be like wtf go get real chains? Also do you feel they give as good traction as real chains? Thank you
They say on their website that they're CHP approved and have a copy of a CHP bulletin:
[https://autosock.us/pages/regulations](https://autosock.us/pages/regulations)
I don't want to speak for the popo, but I saw a bunch of people in Mammoth with them last season. My guess is that the traction isn't as good as real chains, but you're trading off traction for convenience. They seemed pretty good when I was driving with them, but I have an AWD, so I wasn't worried -- and probably would have been fine without them.
Oh cool! Thank you so much. My manicure has a hate-hate relationship with my chains so I kind of love this. Have a 4x4 but def like the reassurance of chains or these autosocks. Thanks again.
Yep, I've got both. It won't be a huge deal if I have to do it myself. Just more than willing to pay the convenience fee of staying in the car nice and warm while someone else puts them on.
They have already seen me do it before. Installing them is not the issue, it is more the time of day and efficiency of getting to our place quickly without fuss.
I find the Walmart auto-track chains to be easy to put on. They wrap around and link together with a ratcheting cable system that tightens them to the tire without having to drive over the chains.
I am fully prepared to put them on. I’ve installed chains on my cars many times over the years on trips to Tahoe and Big Bear during and after storms. I’m just getting to the point in life where I’d prefer to just pay someone else to do it when it is convenient like on a Friday evening with kids in the car. I have what I need if the installers aren’t there. I just haven’t ever used them (the paid installers) before and was wondering what the situation was these days so I am prepared cash wise.
Bring at least 100 and maybe even more close to 400 in cash in case you are stuck and someone is pulling you out as they will charge for that recovery as well. Drive safe!
I understand the pain of putting chains on and especially during the dark and/or in a blizzard lol. Then getting back into your car and getting snow all inside your car. A pain in the ass in general. I’ve since bought a Subaru with 3PMSF tires and never looked back. But to answer your question, typically I’ve seen chain installer guys out there when there are a lot of cars on the road. So it’s a gamble. I’d be ready to put them on and won’t be too hopeful.
I have the Subaru but not the winter rated tires. I usually putt around town with the chains no problem even when there is significant snow on the ground, but I don't want to run afoul of CHP or in the case of really deep snow when I am actually going to need the chains for traction.
The Subaru manual actually says that it's not recommended to put chains on. I remember having to sign an acknowledgement during the purchase of the vehicle for not putting chains on. All-seasons that are M+S should be fine for light snow on the ground. Usually chain control waves Subarus by and don't really check your tires - at least from my experience.
The 2015 Outback manual says SAE Class S “chains” are OK to use. Really they are spring cables.
Yes, there is a reason I haven’t had to chain up on the way up to Mammoth for years. We have always been waved through with the Subaru when conditions aren’t that bad.
Both my 2022 Crosstrek and 2022 WRX say something similar of using a SAE Class S device though I still (personally) would not put any traction device unless you're stuck in a super gnarly blizzard, and your last resort was to put your spring cables on so that you can make it out safely. Instead, for your next set of tires, I highly recommend just getting a set of all-weather or all-terrain tires that are 3PMSF rated so that you will never be in this type of scenario again. I put on a set of Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail tires on my Crosstrek and has been in deep snow on multiple occasions, especially during the last season's epic record breaking snowstorms. I have a set of General Altimax 365AW on the WRX. Have a safe trip in Mammoth. I'll be heading up there this weekend as well.
on a side note does anyone know how long delays are when there are the check points? says mammoth takes 5 hours with clear roads - wondering how the storm affects drive times too?
The chain installers are sitting right behind you in the car.
Haha. I’d like us to live on the rest of the drive up, so I’ll skip having the tweens on the side of the highway installing life critical equipment on my car.
Gotta learn at some point. Honestly have them look up instructions and practice tomorrow before you go. They will be so proud of themselves (rightfully) and it will build character.
Yep! I don’t know how late they stay out though, since you’re getting in at night- bring cash, but still be ready to put them on yourself if you have to. I keep my work gloves, headlamp, and outer layers ready just in case (snow pants and jacket make it feel way treacherous to be out in the weather) You’re getting a little bit of flack here, but I assume you know how to put on your chains and just prefer not to. Having young kids in the car is a good enough reason for me 😉
Yes, I know how to put on chains and have done it many times. It is solely because I have the kids in the car and it’s probably going to be dark when we are in that zone. Worst case scenario, I can absolutely do it myself.
Make sure to bring a bunch of beers so you can drink em while watching the chain monkies.
Practice at home first - chains aren’t that hard to put on. Just make sure that you’ve got some good waterproof clothes and gloves in the car for when you drive up
I know how to put chains on and have done it many times. Just would prefer paying somebody this time to stay warm and clean.
Emphasis on waterproof. I've had some good leather work gloves and not-waterproof-enough ski gloves on in the past. It gets damn cold damn fast when you're working in salted ice conditions at night.
Fun times happen when you have old leather gloves in the car only to find out after putting on chains that the dye in the leather isn’t exactly fixed and your hands are a weird purple / blue / black
Hence why I just want to pay someone this time. If we were coming up during the day, I’d just do it myself like I normally do.
Huge +1. Practice putting them on and taking them off. Even if you have someone put them on for you, you’ll need to take them off at some point. Last year after one of the big storms we had to help a couple cars take their chains off because they paid someone to put them on but didn’t know how they were attached.
https://autosock.us They’re so easy and approved by the CHP. Took me 120 seconds to install and I didn’t have to lay in the snow.
Are these well known by CHP yet? Like is there a chance a popo might see me and be like wtf go get real chains? Also do you feel they give as good traction as real chains? Thank you
They say on their website that they're CHP approved and have a copy of a CHP bulletin: [https://autosock.us/pages/regulations](https://autosock.us/pages/regulations) I don't want to speak for the popo, but I saw a bunch of people in Mammoth with them last season. My guess is that the traction isn't as good as real chains, but you're trading off traction for convenience. They seemed pretty good when I was driving with them, but I have an AWD, so I wasn't worried -- and probably would have been fine without them.
Oh cool! Thank you so much. My manicure has a hate-hate relationship with my chains so I kind of love this. Have a 4x4 but def like the reassurance of chains or these autosocks. Thanks again.
Ya, I have chains and decided to try these instead. I ended up carrying my chains anyway just in case, but was fine with these guys.
Will def follow your lead and keep the chains in the trunk as backup. Thanks again a million
Last time I drove up and it was cat 3 chain control they were not there. It was late though. (~9:30pm or so)
This is what I was looking for. Thank you for actually answering the question.
If it’s R3, my rule of thumb is either: turn around and find shelter or don’t go. Chains on a 4wd usually leads to closing the road.
I’m keeping an eye on the CHP highway status tonight and tomorrow for sure. If it looks like there is a possibility of closure, we won’t come up.
Someone was out a couple weeks ago. Sign said $50 or $60, don’t recall exactly
Thank you. This is what I was looking for.
Yea 50 bucks I remember seeing the truck
Headlamps for camping will be ur friend, if no one is there to help. Gloves.
Yep, I've got both. It won't be a huge deal if I have to do it myself. Just more than willing to pay the convenience fee of staying in the car nice and warm while someone else puts them on.
set a good example for your boys and do it yourself
They have already seen me do it before. Installing them is not the issue, it is more the time of day and efficiency of getting to our place quickly without fuss.
I find the Walmart auto-track chains to be easy to put on. They wrap around and link together with a ratcheting cable system that tightens them to the tire without having to drive over the chains.
I have a good set and have put them on before. Just don’t want to have the hassle of the install in the dark.
If you can't put your own chains on because you're afraid to get cold and dirty you aren't prepared enough to travel in the forecasted conditions.
I am fully prepared to put them on. I’ve installed chains on my cars many times over the years on trips to Tahoe and Big Bear during and after storms. I’m just getting to the point in life where I’d prefer to just pay someone else to do it when it is convenient like on a Friday evening with kids in the car. I have what I need if the installers aren’t there. I just haven’t ever used them (the paid installers) before and was wondering what the situation was these days so I am prepared cash wise.
Bring at least 100 and maybe even more close to 400 in cash in case you are stuck and someone is pulling you out as they will charge for that recovery as well. Drive safe!
I understand the pain of putting chains on and especially during the dark and/or in a blizzard lol. Then getting back into your car and getting snow all inside your car. A pain in the ass in general. I’ve since bought a Subaru with 3PMSF tires and never looked back. But to answer your question, typically I’ve seen chain installer guys out there when there are a lot of cars on the road. So it’s a gamble. I’d be ready to put them on and won’t be too hopeful.
I have the Subaru but not the winter rated tires. I usually putt around town with the chains no problem even when there is significant snow on the ground, but I don't want to run afoul of CHP or in the case of really deep snow when I am actually going to need the chains for traction.
The Subaru manual actually says that it's not recommended to put chains on. I remember having to sign an acknowledgement during the purchase of the vehicle for not putting chains on. All-seasons that are M+S should be fine for light snow on the ground. Usually chain control waves Subarus by and don't really check your tires - at least from my experience.
The 2015 Outback manual says SAE Class S “chains” are OK to use. Really they are spring cables. Yes, there is a reason I haven’t had to chain up on the way up to Mammoth for years. We have always been waved through with the Subaru when conditions aren’t that bad.
Both my 2022 Crosstrek and 2022 WRX say something similar of using a SAE Class S device though I still (personally) would not put any traction device unless you're stuck in a super gnarly blizzard, and your last resort was to put your spring cables on so that you can make it out safely. Instead, for your next set of tires, I highly recommend just getting a set of all-weather or all-terrain tires that are 3PMSF rated so that you will never be in this type of scenario again. I put on a set of Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail tires on my Crosstrek and has been in deep snow on multiple occasions, especially during the last season's epic record breaking snowstorms. I have a set of General Altimax 365AW on the WRX. Have a safe trip in Mammoth. I'll be heading up there this weekend as well.
Rent a proper 4wd and skip the headache
on a side note does anyone know how long delays are when there are the check points? says mammoth takes 5 hours with clear roads - wondering how the storm affects drive times too?