This weekend, I had great plans to head up the mountains to lovely Lake Arrowhead for some play in the snow. So I requested the off-road-capable Wrangler Unlimited. The long wheelbase gives it a decent highway ride, and the high ground clearance and 4WD would give it sure-footedness in the snow. In theory. The CHiPs didn't buy that theory (demanding snow chains on every car) and we were turned back and sent down the mountain...
Undaunted, we made our way across to Palm Springs. No, we didn't do any off-roading, but in the short course of about 24 hours, we encountered, sleet, thick fog, and heavy, pounding rain. The Wrangler was a champ. In hard wind and powerful rain, it was very loud, the top and vertical windshield performing the inclement-weather duet. But to be honest, I was grateful for the long throw of the headlights and the high ground clearance. The car was totally airtight and the heater and defrost blew as strong as I expected from the off-road legend.
At one point, we weren't going very quickly on the highway due to the tremendous downpour and limited visibility, but when I hit the gas, the Wrangler just wouldn't budge. It doesn't have a lot of pick-up anyway, but I think the high body simply fought the wind. To its credit, it felt totally stable the whole time.
Doug Lloyd, Senior Copy Editor @ 11,636 miles
SubyTrojan says:
05:53 PM, 01/28/08
That's a bummer, Doug. :(
Even with AWD or 4WD, chains are required in R2 or R3 conditions. In the event of such conditions, I keep chains in the trunk of my WRX when I'm making my way out to areas such as Big Bear Lake Arrowhead.
thebigal says:
05:55 PM, 01/28/08
so no leaky leak as was mentioned int he last Wrangler post?
boxermike says:
06:05 PM, 01/28/08
Chains are for weenies. You would have been fine.
desmolicious says:
06:15 PM, 01/28/08
What about tyres that are rated for snow use? They have that little alpine/snow symbol on the sidewall. Do you have to have chains if you have those?
I ask cuz I have these on my Wrangler - BF Goodrich All Terrain TAs- and even though they are the stock size according to my Jeep owner's manual at 30 by 9.5, with this size tyre Jeep says not to use chains. Maybe a clearance issue? (even though there seems to be lots of space under the wheel wells).
funkymunky says:
06:19 PM, 01/28/08
I agree about the chains. I met a guy at the gas station who had a Wrangler Unlimited but way more off-road setup, with huge snow and ice tires. CHP turned him back, too, made him get chains.
And no leaks whatsoever. Overnight (including cab to dinner) we had it parked in pouring rain for about 18 hours total. Not a drop.
desmolicious says:
06:20 PM, 01/28/08
Guess it's easier for them to turn everyone back who doesn't have chains, than to check if the vehicle is actually capable. Bummer.
aurakr says:
06:30 PM, 01/28/08
That is one of the biggest dislikes I have about living and driving in California.
Having lived at 7400 feet in Arizona, I know something about driving in the snow. Let me tell you, never once did they ask to see chains. In Michigan, never once did my dad ever use chains. Only in California. Doesn't matter if you have a 4 wheel drive vehicle or not. I understand CHP can't take any chances, but still it is so annoying.
Oh well best to learn from SubyTrojan, accept it and carry chains in the trunk. Therefore no problems when asked.
funkymunky says:
06:36 PM, 01/28/08
Tahoe doesn't require chains. Nor does Mamoth. Scroll down and look at Seth's blog on our long-term Silverado. That snow looked pretty freakin' deep, too.
SubyTrojan says:
06:37 PM, 01/28/08
Huss, the California Highway Patrol mandates the use of chains in R2 and R3 conditions even with M&S-rated. With snow tires, chains are not required on 4WD/AWD vehicles in R2 conditions depending on vehicle weight.
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/trucks/ops-guide/chains.html#r1r2
jriz says:
07:10 PM, 01/28/08
This chains thing is weird. I lived in Ontario and Indiana for a collective 19 years and the only tire chains I ever saw was on our snow blower. I could be wrong, but I think they're actually illegal in the province of Ontario.
firstwagon says:
07:44 PM, 01/28/08
I know tire studs are illegal in Ontario. Chains might be too.
To say everyone needs chains sounds like a "cover your butt" policy. I have never found any amount of snow on a road that that Subaru Legacy can't go through with snow tires, even on the hill of British Columbia.
Even my old front drive Buick SkyHawk was unstoppable with skill and skinny snow tires.
estreka says:
12:52 AM, 01/29/08
There is no snow/ice mix that a Wrangler cannot go through by which chains would be useful. If a Wrangler can't get through, it's because it doesn't have the clearance (ie, 2 ft thick).
dougtheeng says:
07:26 AM, 01/29/08
lol chains.
Chains are legal in Northern Ontario, anyways, but I don't know about southern Ontario. I think the "if its that bad out, don't go on the roads" mentality is fine for southern Ontario snow driving. Obviously if you have to go somewhere remote, chains might be worth it.
desmolicious says:
10:53 AM, 01/29/08
I know the chains thing is bogus. I've driven my Wrangler through snow that came almost up to it's bumper.
The thing is, in the Jeep manual it says to NOT use chains if you have the Jeep recommended/available from Jeep as OE upsize tyres.
stingray454 says:
02:09 PM, 01/29/08
People's Republic of Kalifornia at its finest once again. That chain rule is idiotic. 4WD with either snow tires or M+S rated tires should be all that is required for any snow condition. 4WD without M+S or snow tires require chains for worst conditions. Chains required for 2WD vehicles. That's what it should be.