Snow cables or just stay with AT tires for snow?

[BFD350]

Here is the text of the Colorado winter traction law:

When icy or snow-packed conditions exist on the highway, the department of transportation may restrict travel on or use of any portion of a state highway by any motor vehicle unless the motor vehicle is equipped with the following: Tire chains or an alternate traction device; four-wheel drive with tires that have a tread depth of at least three sixteenths of an inch and that are adequate for the conditions; all-wheel drive with tires that have a tread depth of at least three sixteenths of an inch and that are adequate for the conditions; or tires that are imprinted by a manufacturer with a mountain-snowflake, "MS", "M+S", or "M/S" symbol or that are all-weather rated by the manufacturer and that have a tread depth of at least three sixteenths of an inch.

So you can see the minimum requirement is 3/16 of tread depth with either all season tires on 4x4 or AWD vehicles or with all season M+S on 2wd vehicles. Winter tires and traction devices are not required if you meet the above for non commercial vehicles. However, if you do a lot of driving in the mountains during the winter it is highly recommended to have winter snow tires on and traction devices available, but if you are just heading to go skiing at the resorts, all seasons with M+S are legal.

The traction law changed in 2019. When Chain Law is put into effect, even passenger vehicles require chains or an approved alternative traction device. CDOT can apply Chain Law to any state roadway not just mountain driving although that’s typically where it’s applied.


https://www.codot.gov/travel/winter-driving/tractionlaw



2018 Expedition Platinum
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[Plati]

The traction law changed in 2019. When Chain Law is put into effect, even passenger vehicles require chains or an approved alternative traction device. CDOT can apply Chain Law to any state roadway not just mountain driving although that’s typically where it’s applied.


https://www.codot.gov/travel/winter-driving/tractionlaw



2018 Expedition Platinum
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Thanks, didn't know that. The way I look at it, when CDOT implements CHAIN LAW ... I better get off the road and hunker down in my Expy EL. I've got it equipped in the back so I could survive in a parking lot somewhere overnight if need be. I was driving to Jackson Hole in late February when it started snowing hard after a warm-up. The roads were so greasy you couldn't turn without sliding going 5 mph on the flat in a parking lot (if you turned hard or touched the brakes).

 

[flying68]

The traction law changed in 2019. When Chain Law is put into effect, even passenger vehicles require chains or an approved alternative traction device. CDOT can apply Chain Law to any state roadway not just mountain driving although that’s typically where it’s applied.


https://www.codot.gov/travel/winter-driving/tractionlaw



2018 Expedition Platinum
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Thanks, didn't know that. The way I look at it, when CDOT implements CHAIN LAW ... I better get off the road and hunker down in my Expy EL. I've got it equipped in the back so I could survive in a parking lot somewhere overnight if need be. I was driving to Jackson Hole in late February when it started snowing hard after a warm-up. The roads were so greasy you couldn't turn without sliding going 5 mph on the flat in a parking lot (if you turned hard or touched the brakes).

I have very very rarely seen them implement the "Passenger Vehicle Chain Law." Generally CDOT skips that and goes straight to closure because 95% of all passenger (non-commercial) vehicles don't carry those devices. With the notable exception of mountain roads where it may be the only road in or out. Also both the chain law and traction law are secondary violations, so if you don't cause an accident or get stuck they can't stop you for it. Incidentally most closer in eastern Colorado are due to visibility (wind, blowing snow) or ice where traction devices don't do any good. If you are going to be in the mountains regularly though and with the need to travel in almost all conditions, auto socks would be a good idea to pack in the back.

 

[BFD350]

I’m reaching out to a contact at Ford corporate to gain some clarity, especially for the 286/45R22s. Will post information here on anything I learn.



2018 Expedition Platinum
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[BFD350]

I’m reaching out to a contact at Ford corporate to gain some clarity, especially for the 286/45R22s. Will post information here on anything I learn.



2018 Expedition Platinum
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Ugh. My contact at corporate is longer there. Will look for other ways to get an official response from Ford.



2018 Expedition Platinum
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