a few more Northern California/Oregon Questions

[scarletbison]

Thanks to all who replied to my other post about the routing.

I do have some more questions:

1) Are we restricted from taking Interstates through the Caldecott Tunnel (California Highway 24)? Conflicting messages about LP gas. If my switch is off, am I okay to pass through the tunnel? or do I carry too much propane?

2) If the Sysikou Pass is open on I-5 I still need to be carrying chains correct? and that would be a dually set for the drive wheels only? Anybody have recommendations on a supplier?

3) anybody know dump station locations in the North Bay and East Bay areas?

Again, Thanks in advance for your reponses.

[wkerfoot]

Regarding the tunnel, I would contact CalTrans for the regulations.

Mountain passes in the winter are subject to sudden weather changes, I would carry chains. Again contact CalTrans or CHP regarding regulations on duals.

Bill Kerfoot

Originally Posted by scarletbison

Thanks to all who replied to my other post about the routing.

I do have some more questions:

1) Are we restricted from taking Interstates through the Caldecott Tunnel (California Highway 24)? Conflicting messages about LP gas. If my switch is off, am I okay to pass through the tunnel? or do I carry too much propane?

2) If the Sysikou Pass is open on I-5 I still need to be carrying chains correct? and that would be a dually set for the drive wheels only? Anybody have recommendations on a supplier?

3) anybody know dump station locations in the North Bay and East Bay areas?

Again, Thanks in advance for your reponses.

[amirm]

Originally Posted by scarletbison

Thanks to all who replied to my other post about the routing.

I do have some more questions:

1) Are we restricted from taking Interstates through the Caldecott Tunnel (California Highway 24)? Conflicting messages about LP gas. If my switch is off, am I okay to pass through the tunnel? or do I carry too much propane?.

Looks like you are good on that. The regulation they cite is this: http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/fa...ctionNum=31301.

"No person shall transport any explosive substance, flammable liquid, liquefied petroleum gas or poisonous gas in a tank truck, trailer, or semitrailer through the Caldecott Tunnel located on State Highway, Route 24, near the Alameda-Contra Costa County boundary, connecting Oakland with Contra Costa County in the East Bay area at any time other than between the hours of 3 a.m. to 5 a.m."

AI is not a tank truck, trailer or semitrailer. If you are really in doubt, looks like they let you go between 3:00am and 5:00am.

[OTRA15]

The other original thread is here:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f240...st-174605.html

[CruizinDux]

Originally Posted by amirm

Looks like you are good on that. The regulation they cite is this: http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/fa...ctionNum=31301.

"No person shall transport any explosive substance, flammable liquid, liquefied petroleum gas or poisonous gas in a tank truck, trailer, or semitrailer through the Caldecott Tunnel located on State Highway, Route 24, near the Alameda-Contra Costa County boundary, connecting Oakland with Contra Costa County in the East Bay area at any time other than between the hours of 3 a.m. to 5 a.m."

AI is not a tank truck, trailer or semitrailer. If you are really in doubt, looks like they let you go between 3:00am and 5:00am.

My understanding is that the regulations relate to commercial transport. It was a gasoline transport truck the exploded in the tunnel in the 80's that triggered the change.

I would call the CHP office in Oakland
https://www.chp.ca.gov/find-an-offic...-gate-division

Bob

[CruizinDux]

Originally Posted by scarletbison

Thanks to all who replied to my other post about the routing.

I do have some more questions:

1) Are we restricted from taking Interstates through the Caldecott Tunnel (California Highway 24)? Conflicting messages about LP gas. If my switch is off, am I okay to pass through the tunnel? or do I carry too much propane?

2) If the Sysikou Pass is open on I-5 I still need to be carrying chains correct? and that would be a dually set for the drive wheels only? Anybody have recommendations on a supplier?

3) anybody know dump station locations in the North Bay and East Bay areas?

Again, Thanks in advance for your reponses.

scarletbison, just a heads up, you have two passes in 2 jurisdictions that likely have different regulations.

In CA you have the Weed/Black Butte pass and the snow zone often extends much further S & N. http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist2/chainup/allcntys.htm the link to the CA chain control chart (pdf) is on the left.

In Oregon you have Siskiyou Pass. https://tripcheck.com/Pages/Chain-Law The snow zone is much shorter, basically up and over.

Even tho they about an hour apart, I have experienced different weather and road conditions. Last Feb heading S, Siskiyou was dry and clear and Black Butte, the roads were bladed but had 4" of snow on the ground/shoulder and lightly snowing.

I tow and carry two sets of chains (TV & TT) because in OR, if you don't have them and controls are in place (not necessarily meaning that they need to be installed) the ticket is quite significant.The regulations (when not towing) may be different, depending on GVW and whether you have traction tires. https://tripcheck.com/Pages/Traction-Tires

I watch tripcheck closely as it covers both Siskiyou but also the Weed/Black Butte section of I-5. My advice is to buy chains and carry them They're not that expensive and much cheaper than the ticket. Plus not towing and chaining up and making headway is a good option If I'm towing and need to chain up both rigs, I'll likely wait at the bottom of the hill.

Safe journey.

Bob

p.s. do your homework but it looks like you only need 1 tire/side chained in a dually setup

[FarFetched]

That accident in the Caldecott Tunnel was horrifying. I lived there and once they reopened the tunnel, you'd drive over patches of molten metal that used to be cars. The patches were spread out over quite a distance.

[Thiss]

Buy chains from Les Schwab. They are all over in Oregon, California, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, and Utah.

You can return them at the end of the season if you do not use them.

I like their quick fit cable option.

Also, remember if chains are required in Oregon, then you must chain at least one axle of the trailer.

Lastly, you might consider snow tires for the pickup, or having your current tires siped.