Avalanche in the snow?

[brmiller]

This question pertains to the use of chains/snowtires and 4WD on the Avalanche (or any vehicle) as we approach the winter months.

 

Some of this also pertains to specific Oregon law, so I don't expect law advice, but this is still a good place to come for answers.

 

Okay, that said, our Avalanche (1500) is a 4WD model and came with Goodyear tires with a M+S rating.  Is this sufficient for snow-bound driving?  I'm talking places where the roads require "chains or traction tires".  The sticky part of Oregon law is the following:

 

"The following vehiclies are completely or partially exempt from the chain laws:

...

A four-wheel or all-wheel drive passenger vehicle [is exempt] if all of the following are true:

 

a) It has an unloaded weight of 6,500 pounds or less;

b) It is operated to provide power to both the front and rear wheels;

c) It is carrying chains;

d) It has mud and snow, all-weather radial or traction tires on all its wheels

e) It is not towing another vehicle;

f) It is not being operated in a manner or under conditions that cause the vehicle to lose traction.

 

My difficulty comes in interpreting/meeting requirements 'd' and 'c'.  Oregon allows studded tires during the winter months, but do the OEM tires meet the qualification in 'd'?  Additionally, I found the following confusing in the Owner's Manual:

 

"If your vehicle is a 1500 Series, don't use tire chains.  They can damage your vehicle because there's not enough clearance."

 

It talks about the dangers of using chains or other devices that don't have the proper clearance and what they can do to you and your vehicle.  Finally, it finishes the caution paragraph by saying

 

"If you do find traction devices that will fit, install them on the rear tires."

 

So what gives?  Do I need chains?  I'm sure I should check with local officials, but I don't expect them to be experts on any particular vehicle.  Are there any chains that will fit the Avalanche?  I looked up the Avalanche in a tire chain book at the local parts store, and it listed a viable part number for cable-type chains which I have used successfully on my RWD Nissan sports coupe.  Is this appropriate for the Avalanche?  Or am I covered because it's 4WD?  The lady at the information counter said that if the signs say carry chains or install chains, you've gotta have 'em no matter what--4WD or not.  In disbelief, I thought I'd do some more research first.

 

Thanks for your replies.  I know no one is going to be an expert on Oregon law, but some helps about what others do in other parts of the country and if there are some chains that really help matters and fit the Avalanche would be good info to have.

 

Brendan

[RyanbabZ71]

As for letter d i am guessing your tires qualify as long as they are all terrain tires.

 

Are they goodyear AT/S?  If so those are all terrains.

 

I never had to deal with the chain issue.  I can tell you that 4wd/ locking rear/ and the all terrain fstones in my silverado got me through last winter in which i had 4wd engaged all of december.  We got a blizzard here in NW indiana and had 24-30" of snow.  Worked like a charm never got stuck or anything.  January i switched to bfg all terrains and we got another blizzard in feb which wasnt as bad but the traction increased with the new tires.

 

Probably didnt help but i wouldnt be to worried your truck will do fine.  

[ScottS]

Rock and a Hard Place

 

No, as you point out, you are told by the manufacturer not to use chains.  I would probably buy a cheap set and toss in a side comparment just incase you encounter Trooper Gung Ho.  

 

Your tires should have a marking on the sidewall, "M+S".  This is your Mud & Snow designator, and means they should meet the specs.

 

I wouldn't use chains, and I have run about in all sorts of snow and never needed them.  We have a 2 wheel drive ambulance (1 of 3), and when you have to chain up, it ends up causing no end of grief.  The best example was when a chain broke, wrapped itself around the tire and the axle, disabled the ambulance, caused $1200 dollars in body damage, and tore out the brake lines.  I won't comment on my thoughts regarding the vehicles operator, but this damage occured before she realized there was a problem.  They are a pain IMHO.

 

Perhaps a quick call to the State Patrol would elicit a more difinate answer, but I doubt a trooper would hastle you when you are in a 4x4 w/ M+S tires.  Of course, I Canadian, and haven't dealt with too many troopers.

 

Scott

[brmiller]

Sounds good, guys.  I guess I basically had two questions--chains or no chains on the Avalanche from a "How does it handle in snow?" perspective, and secondly, what about the law.

 

I expected more knowledge about the former, but I'll check again with the state police to see what they have to say about the actual law.  I would think it kind of stupid for them to prohibit a 4WD on the snowy passes because chains were not recommended.  I also chide GM for making a setup that precludes the wearing of chains even if it is more of a pain than its worth.

 

And yes, the tires are Goodyear Wrangler AT/S M+S, IIRC.

 

Thanks guys.

 

Brendan

[Shaners]

Your Av should go through the snow with no problem in 4x4.  If you are concerned about being particular with the "law", just throw a couple of those wire "strap-on" thingies in one of your side boxes.  You should'nt need them, but they would be there so you are in accordance to the "code".

[sunnydude]

Brendan...up here in washington the laws are about the same.  As long as you have chains with you then you don't have to put them on.  We run studs and carry chains as we have a cabin in the cascades.  Never been stopped.  On the trucks they advise against chains unless you have the 245 tires, so my truck loses some altitude when i put the studs on but better to be safe.

[chevy4x4trucks]

f) It is not being operated in a manner or under conditions that cause the vehicle to lose traction

 

So I guess donuts are out of the question.

[brmiller]

No, no donuts...  Anyone really do this with their truck?  I'm too chicked it would tip over!

 

Anyway, barring talking to the police to get a "real world" scoop, it sounds like the best thing is to buy some chains to never use (sounds/feels stupid, but oh well) and count on the 4WD to do its job.  I doubt I'll drive in snowy conditions enough to warrant studded tires.

 

Thanks for the comments.

 

Brendam

[ScottS]

Hey Brendan

 

Food for thought.  With the first snow, I take any new vehicle, and find a quiet empty parking lot free of cars and obstacles, and flop a few donuts.  This is the best way I know of to learn how the truck will react if you do break traction.

 

I start slow, see what it takes to get the back end out of line, and then (using HUGE dose of common sense) pick it up a bit, always staying well this side of safe.  Best way I know of to learn what she can and will do.

 

Scott

[MountaineerTom]

That's what I did.  ;)

[ScottS]

I like dis guy!!        

 

Scott

[MountaineerTom]

When I first got my license, my dad took me out to a big snow and ice covered parking and taught me how to handle his truck on slick roads.  I though it was the coolest thing ever, at 16, to be locking up the brakes, sliding, and doing donuts.  But it really did help to know how a vehicle would react in those types of situations before I actually had to be in that kind of situation.  I plan on doing the same with my son when he starts driving, if we're in a snowy location to do it.  

[ScottS]

Thats interesting Tom, you and I learned the same way.  I grew up in the interior of BC, and the parking lot of choice was a place called Lac La Hache, (french, Lake of the Axe).  We would always get 2-3 feet of ice on the lake before much snow fell, so you could get out on this 12 mile by 1.5 mile ice rink and learn all about ice driving.

 

Dad stuck me out there in a Datsun 510, told me to wind 'er up to about 30 miles an hour, then he reached over and yanked on the wheel... Well, simulataneously I....

 

Filled my drawers

Got dizzy

Strong armed the wheel with a non-moving death grip

Stomped the brake through the floorboard

 

So, after ending my twirling top impersonation, the old guy laughs, says "ok, now that we have perfected how not to do it, how 'bout we try something a little different'.

 

We spent 20-30 hours out bombing around, dodging snow drifts and generally having a blast.  But last winter, when the Sub broke traction at 50 mph on a stretch of two lane highway, 60' drop on one side and a fast approaching semi oncomming, I knew how to handle it, and because of a few 'nuts in a parking lot, I knew just what the old Sub would do to.  We fishtailed 3 times to one side, 4 to the other, but I never left the road and didn't cross the center line, and had it back before meeting the truck.  Thanks Dad.  

 

Only similiarity to that first experience Dad gave me on ice, was I still filled my drawers  

 

Scott

[MountaineerTom]

Quote from ScottS, posted on Nov. 22 2001,10:06

Only similiarity to that first experience Dad gave me on ice, was I still filled my drawers  

 

 

 

LOL.  

[ScottS]

Hey Brandan

 

Sorry, we got your thread off on a bit of a tangent there!  

 

Hope you got something close to what you were looking for.  Hang about, there's lot's of good info and great guys here, can be alot of fun, and informative too.

 

I guess the fact that this will be the first winter for the Avalanche has us all waiting to see what she will be like.  If my 99 Suburban was any indication, they will do quite well.

 

TO THE SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Scott  :stupid: