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Are all Americans shitty drivers? Chains required on the way to Tahoe..wtf??

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Dandurand
Posts: 95 - Karma: 35
So today I'm driving a rented Ford Focus up from San Fran to Tahoe and I reach a checkpoint stopping people with no chains on their tires. It's snowing out and there is a bit of accumulation but not enough to cause issues. The guy at the checkpoint insists that I have to turn around and buy chains from some gas station. $60 later and I have chains on the front wheels of this Focus, the car handles worse, the traction control light is coming on like crazy and my speed is limited to 30miles an hour. It's not 1964 anymore, cars and tire technology have come a long way and an inch of snow on the ground shouldn't require tires...

end rant...can't wait for Kirkwood tomorrow.
Apr 5 2010 1:12AM
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Gnarshred
Posts: 5670 - Karma: 18
HAhah thats shitty. Cali Sucks. In Colorado, you are required to have them but not use them. My '92 camry kills it in the snow~!
Apr 5 2010 1:16AM
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Funnel
Posts: 7808 - Karma: 1,414
CHP and Caltrans are chain Nazis. They always pull that type of shit on the highway up to my hill, but if you leave early enough, you can beat the dickwad (yes, he is a legitimate jerk) and not have to put chains on. Plus, it's CA. A very small percentage of our population loves where it snows, hence why very little people know how to drive in it. I'm assuming you're visiting from somewhere on the East?
Apr 5 2010 1:19AM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,385
Yea, it's because it's cali. Nobody lives where it snows. but a ton of dumbasses drive up into it. So yea, they are nazis about chains and shit because people don't know how to drive.
Apr 5 2010 1:26AM
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Funnel
Posts: 7808 - Karma: 1,414
Yep and the CHP hates pulling those bitches out of the snowbank. Get this. Few weekends ago some people were putting chains on their Tahoe and the roads were totally dry, skies were blue and there wasn't even water running across the road. I did not know people were that fucking stupid, but again, it's CA.
Apr 5 2010 1:29AM
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Caveman.
Posts: 9067 - Karma: 330
Haha ya I think most people who haven't driven on ice or snow automatically suck at it. I live in Montana and drive on snow and ice all the time and I have yet to chain up. I live in a town with an air force base and I see so many dumb ass jetters coming out here chaining up their honda civics and driving into the ditch.
Apr 5 2010 1:36AM
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Dandurand
Posts: 95 - Karma: 35
Glad you guys feel where I'm coming from. Visiting from Canada... if those dudes saw the shit we drive on to get to Revelstoke they'd piss themselves.
Apr 5 2010 1:38AM
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alex.bgk.
Posts: 607 - Karma: 74
but chains are for traction and the grade of a hill and how well your tires grip it in order to help you move forward has almost ZERO to do with how good of a driver you are.. yeah if you inch and ease on the gas you can get away with not using chains.. but if your on a steep road and there's ice on the ground, a two wheel drive ford focus will likely need chains no matter how well you can drive
Apr 5 2010 2:08AM
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Jahseph.
Posts: 1315 - Karma: 267
Not all americans are shitty drivers, I just drove my volvo back from my hill in the northern part of that same storm and over a foot and a half had accumulated on I-5, and I didnt even think about putting chains on. Claim.
Apr 5 2010 2:17AM
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Jahseph.
Posts: 1315 - Karma: 267
And we went through 6 grams on the way. Post post claim.
Apr 5 2010 2:19AM
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Smilemon
Posts: 421 - Karma: 43
Winter driving is all about using your E-Brake to feel like a pro drift car driver in your front wheel drive Accord.
Seriously though? Who needs chains, I live in Alaska and drive on ice the majority of the year, just keep a good following distance and everything is kosher. Is it illegal to not have chains? I would have thrown a fit.
Apr 5 2010 2:21AM
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Funnel
Posts: 7808 - Karma: 1,414
Well, technically, if you are in an area prone to snow, they can ticket you- 4WD or not. If you are driving on a highway and they have the "Chains Required" sign out and if your vehicle is not 4WD or AWD, then they can give you a HUGE ticket.
Apr 5 2010 2:31AM
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skiierman
Posts: 28699 - Karma: -5,563
this, or if you are in an area that by the state is under using chains and you get into an accident (regardless of whos responsible) you get the charges, if you didn't have chains on.
Apr 5 2010 3:22AM
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jeremy.g
Posts: 4931 - Karma: 459
same. i dont even own chains. you just need some 4wheel drive and some common sense and a bit of experience to drive in shitty weather.
Apr 5 2010 3:25AM
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Dandurand
Posts: 95 - Karma: 35
If there is Ice on the ground it doesnt matter if you have 4x4, AWD, FWD, RWD it all boils down to the tires and that's where winter tires are important. That being said it's actually more dangerous to have the chains on only the front wheels. The guys who work those checkstops are malinformed and would have let me pass without chains if I told them my car was AWD regardless of what tires may have been on it. The chains upset the vehicles handling and when coming into an icy corner the car began to understeer and the ass end would slide out because there were no chains on the rear tires. The chains make the car unpredictable and freightening to drive. They need to stop living in the past out here.
Apr 5 2010 3:58AM
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eheath
Posts: 61100 - Karma: 118,254
At least in utah we know that 4x4 or awd = fwd or rwd w/chains.
Apr 5 2010 4:46AM
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eheath
Posts: 61100 - Karma: 118,254
Literally the kind of snow tires you have and the car you're driving and the driver matter so much.
Apr 5 2010 4:47AM
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Static
Posts: 8491 - Karma: 4,059
literallyY!!!!
Apr 5 2010 4:51AM
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Melvs
Posts: 15174 - Karma: 480
I'm constantly blown away at how bad drivers are in Tahoe.  I remember last year seeing a guy putting chains on his Acura when it started to rain...  I guess growing up in NH I take for granted people aren't half retarded.
Apr 5 2010 7:58AM
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WikiWiki
Posts: 5584 - Karma: 426
I drive a hyundai accent for my ski car- and that thing just has winter tires on- here in pa we got shit on this year- being from upstate ny i have had experience plus my parents taught me how to drive in snow- the hyundai went through all 3 "blizzards" this year and the only thing that would have stopped it was lack of clearance - but if it was just snow sown- it kept going so long as it didnt turn into a plow- it has never gotten stuck once in 3 winter of driving through pa snow and more heavily- pa ice-

my other car is an evo- but its slammed on coils and summer tires so thats about as good as walking

but pa drivers suck- and their snow removal sucks- took 2 weeks to finally clean up after back to back 2 foot storms
Apr 5 2010 10:10AM
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eastcoastplanker
Posts: 964 - Karma: 70
really? so you should ride on rims in the snow?
Apr 5 2010 10:14AM
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wintersway
Posts: 5115 - Karma: 128
insert lol wut image
Apr 5 2010 12:26PM
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DAPSKI
Posts: 414 - Karma: 141
thats why you rent a 4wd whatever when you go on a ski vacation so you dont have to deal with shit like that.
Apr 5 2010 6:49PM
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five4ty
Posts: 153 - Karma: 19
Chains should be required in some, but not all, conditions BUT only in countries where people know how to drive in snow (like Canada). Americans do not know how to drive in snow (at least those Americans from California).  Why do I think this?  Because my car was totaled by Americans on the 1st day of the season in Tahoe (N*).

It was a great sunny day and N* was just opening. 1st day skiing in the states.  Decided to head up for some relaxing laps.  The road was wet with a bit of slush but mostly clear.  I was driving around 45-50 nice and in control.  Americans thought it would be a good idea to go 65+.  This idea failed when traffic began to slow to a stop.  Cars were flying into ditches to the right of me, unable to stop, while others decided to use my car to stop.  End result - 3 month old car totaled. 

Click for larger image

Chains are a good requirement in Tahoe just for the purpose of keeping speeds down!


Apr 5 2010 7:10PM
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Caveman.
Posts: 9067 - Karma: 330
Haha your a tard if you really think chains should be required for all conditions. Chains on dry roads? Really? That is one of the most idiotic things I have heard.
Apr 5 2010 7:24PM
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suckmyjagon
Posts: 142 - Karma: 22

Don't lump all americans with Cali drivers who can't handle snow or rain.

Cali doesn't use salt on roads in state/national park areas...they use dirt.  Since dirt doesn't work, they make you use chains.

OP, YOU SUCK AT DRIVING if you couldn't find a way to sneak by the fuckers.

Apr 5 2010 8:01PM
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The_Oakley_Kid
Posts: 3128 - Karma: 179
i find you hilarious. There is a legitimate reason why they require chains for donner summit. I'm sorry you failed to realize that no matter how good of a driver you are, you are still driving a front wheel drive ford focus. I have to drive over that pass everyday for work, and its god damn annoying to see some fucking faggot who didnt put chains on cause a pile up and close the road. so fuck you.

and btw revelstoke isnt that bad. i didnt put my truck in 4wd once when i was there.
Apr 5 2010 9:25PM
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MistahSmith
Posts: 153 - Karma: 37
Thats what you get for driving a ford focus to tahoe
Apr 5 2010 10:10PM
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mizzike
Posts: 1386 - Karma: 251
Thanks dubs
Apr 5 2010 10:39PM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,270
the management of i-80 over donner pass is so ridiculous. we got literally a half inch of snow and it was completely closed for the night, trucks backed up for miles

not to mention the roads get absolutely raped by trucks driving with chains so there's something else for california to spend nonexistent money on
Apr 5 2010 10:43PM
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Moving_Mixtapes
Posts: 37 - Karma: 1,006
a focus for a ski trip, shoulda got a hummer for the all American experience.
Apr 6 2010 2:59AM
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alex.bgk.
Posts: 607 - Karma: 74
25 miles per hour
Apr 6 2010 3:23AM
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Fischer-Addicted
Posts: 1064 - Karma: 30
ok first off, your in tahoe, if theyre requiring chains there expecting some sort of accumulation, next, your driving a focus dude....... gl in more than an inch of snow with that. but I'm fairly sure that cars still need tires to get around. fuck head
Apr 6 2010 7:09AM
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Static
Posts: 8491 - Karma: 4,059
first off it's you're, second off it's they're, third off any car is capable of driving in any amount of snow short of being high centered. gj with that post, fuck head.
Apr 6 2010 7:29AM
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dangerdad
Posts: 2228 - Karma: 317
Im from VT, you kids dont know what ice is.
Apr 6 2010 7:57AM
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sconniestyle
Posts: 3945 - Karma: 26
it's frozen water.
Apr 6 2010 12:12PM
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Thrash
Posts: 821 - Karma: 9
yeah except there are dumbasses who think they are invincible because they have 4wd and drive fast and cause most of the accidents.
Apr 6 2010 12:18PM
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Klick_2_klaim
Posts: 3396 - Karma: 25
On route to Big Bear from Temecula:

me; "do i really need chains man? I am from Canada, chains aren't even legal on the road where I am from. This road is dry."

cop: "well you may be from Canada, but the rest of these drivers are from California... they WILL push you right off the road."

me; how will chains stop that, the road is dry, and it hasn't snowed in a few days"

cop: "well I dont make the laws, I just have to enforce them, you have 4x4 but you still need chains, you can buy some from the guy in the truck over there, he'll install  them for $50 all in."

(starts to slightly rain)

me; "FIFTY BUCKS? Ugh, whatever."

2 minutes later, two cars crash into the side of the mountain, and one into the pile of cars putting chains on. The two that hit the mountain side were SUV's, one a yukon, the other A FUCKING HUMMER!

cop: "does that ever happen in Canada?"

me; "No, we don't drive up mountain roads drunk."

I drive off, and the road is closed due to weather  for the next two days. We had three blue bird march park days with temps in the 70's.

no, Americans can not drive.


Apr 6 2010 12:44PM
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dan4060
Posts: 1458 - Karma: 847
I lived in Tahoe for 5 years between college and grad school.  During that time I NEVER put chains on.  You are required to carry them, but if you have 4wd you almost never have to put them on. 

Did the guy require you to put them on, or just carry them?  Are all Focus' 4wd?  The guy may have though you were not in a 4wd vehicle.

I go to Mammoth 2-3 weekends a month, and I never chain up.  If you are in a 4wd vehicle they don't ask you to put them on.

The guy may have just wanted you to carry them.  I have driven in horrible conditions and not been asked to put them on.
Apr 6 2010 1:12PM
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Twinjibber77
Posts: 6239 - Karma: 2,356
If you think "Canadians can drive" than you are lumping all Canadians just like you are lumping "All Americans can't drive" when only basing it off of people from California. So i will refute this by saying that's bullshit because people from Ontatio CAN'T FUCKING DRIVE!!!!! Not every single one but if i base that off of just the Asians that's already enough of the population not counting the dumb bitches as well.
Apr 6 2010 1:25PM
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M.Tipsey
Posts: 396 - Karma: 13
It is due to the growing rate of asian american drivers... it would be racist to say if you're a chink you need extra shit on your shit.. so we all suffer..
Apr 6 2010 1:30PM
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MacMahoooon
Posts: 9009 - Karma: 3,305
when ever you rent a car for a ski trip do the walmart rental program. Buy a set from walmart when you get your car, return them when you are done. Even if you don't end up using them you wont be That Guy who gets turned around when they start with roadside checks for carrying them
Apr 6 2010 1:49PM
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Shadows
Posts: 8068 - Karma: 42
the walmart rental program haha. thats good.
Apr 6 2010 2:41PM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,270
4wd and snow tires are exceptions for chains, the signs even state that. most locals out there spring for cars that are 4wd despite the pricing so the majority of chains are trucks
Apr 6 2010 3:19PM
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jex
Posts: 2189 - Karma: 288
Which is exactly why i-70 is the biggest fucking joke. It's a free-for all and some always recks by 7:30 am and then traffic backs up and getting to summit county takes 3 hours.

At least you can actually get to skiing in cali because they make all the unprepared people either use chains, or go back home. Colorado should take notes.
Apr 6 2010 3:38PM
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CeleryDeli
Posts: 21 - Karma: 10
WEST COAST BEST COAST

It's cause in a day you could go skiing then drive 3-4 hours and go surf the next day.  CALI ALL DAY WASSUP
Apr 6 2010 3:38PM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,270
that helps very much with this thread
Apr 6 2010 10:36PM
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A_Thomas
Posts: 1498 - Karma: 254
you lost me at ford focus
Apr 6 2010 11:39PM
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Dandurand
Posts: 95 - Karma: 35
lol it was a rental car that we rented in down town SF, do you know how hard it is to find an SUV to rent in down town SF? The girl at the counter kept trying to get me into some POS 300C but that would have been a bad decision. FWD focus with all season tires is almost unstoppable in the snow, anyone who says otherwise needs to learn how to drive.
Oct 28 2010 1:32PM
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RRhighrider
Posts: 2137 - Karma: 1,105
this is true  girlfriend has a focus and it handles very well in the snow
Oct 28 2010 1:38PM
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skodeo7
Posts: 14949 - Karma: 9,234
Are all Canadians bad at flossing?
Oct 28 2010 1:40PM
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