Wyoming tire chain requirements

aesynthetics

New member
Wyoming Chain Law 31-5-956(e) Effective 07-01-09
31-5-956 (e) Tires, restriction of travel under hazardous conditions; penalties

When the chain law is in effect due to snow, ice or other conditions, travel on a highway may be restricted to use only by motor vehicles utilizing adequate snow tires or tire chains, motor vehicles that are all-wheel drive or necessary emergency vehicles, including snow plows. In extremely hazardous conditions, travel may be resticted to use only by necessary emergency vehicles, including snow plows, and those vehicles utilizing tire chains or to all-wheel drive vehicles utilizing adequate snow tires with a mud and snow or all-weather rating from the manufacturer having a tread of sufficient abrasive or skid-resistant design or composition and depth to provide adequate traction under existing driving conditions. The prohibition or restriction of use shall be effective when signs, including temporary or electronic signs, giving notice thereof are erected upon that protion of the highway, and it shall be unlawful to proceed in violation of the notice.

The operator of a commercial vehicle shall affix tire chains to at least two (2) of the drive wheels of the vehicle at opposite ends of the same drive axle when the vehicle is required to utilize tire chains under this subsection......

31-5-956 (j) -Penalties - Any person who operates a motor vehicle in violation of these restrictions under subsection (e) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be subject to a penalty of not more than $250.00. Any person who operates a motor vehicle, where the results of the violation is an incident that causes the closure of all lanes in one (1) or both directions of travel of that highway, is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be subject to a penalty of not more than $750.00.

31-5-956 (k) - As used in this section, "tire chains" means metal chains which consist of two (2) circular metal loops, one (1) on each side of the tire, connected by not less than nine (9) evenly spaced chains across the tire tread and any other traction devices differing from metal chains in construction, material or design but capable of providing traction equal to or exceeding that of metal chains under similar conditions.

It says that commercial vehicles shall affix chains to at least two of the drive wheels, does this mean non commercial vehicles as well? Anyone with experience with this please comment as this is my first trip out west in the winter. I just want to make sure I have what I need for any situation out there. Thanks in advance for the help!
 

tyeeman

New member
If I'm reading it correctly, commercial vehicles only need to chain up when the signs are out. If you have a 4WD with decent mud and snow tires you should be covered. Went out to Togwotee 2 years ago never saw any non- commercial vehicles with chains. Just got back from West Yellowstone, same thing. We didn't have chains, didn't need them, but I will guarantee there could be times you wish you had them.

One bit of advice, depending on what your tow vehicle is, you may want to have a couple 6 gallon cans of fuel with you, gas stations tend to get few and far between out there, especially if your driving through the night.
I have a GMC 3/4 ton with a 6.0 liter, we were pulling a 4 -place enclosed and I couldn't get a gas station fast enough. Came in on fumes to a couple places.
 

aesynthetics

New member
Going to Elkview Inn on Hwy 14. Have you ever been out to the Big Horns? I was lucky enough to get a Dmax years ago and trade in the gasser, but I still carry a few gallons of fuel just in case. Been out to western Colorado/Utah a few times driving all night without seeing anyone or anything. You do that once and you remember to carry a few extra things!
 
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doomsman

New member

One bit of advice, depending on what your tow vehicle is, you may want to have a couple 6 gallon cans of fuel with you, gas stations tend to get few and far between out there, especially if your driving through the night.
I have a GMC 3/4 ton with a 6.0 liter, we were pulling a 4 -place enclosed and I couldn't get a gas station fast enough. Came in on fumes to a couple places.


Good point, a spare serpentine belt can save you hours as well.
 

dognvenus

Member
Wyoming chaining

Usually... when chain law is in effect, it is just for comm. vehicles BUT there are times they will put up a weight for the vehicles that need to be chained OR it will be for all vehicles towing. That even goes for the VW beetle towing the little U-Haul trialer.
The biggest thing in Wyoming is the wind.....from Cheyenne to Rawlins going around Elk Mtn is the worst. If chain law or wind warning is up, you can take US 30 around. Takes you through Medicine Bow and brings you back to I-80 at Arlington. Gets you away from the downslope winds off Elk Mtn. Check 511 before you do. Sometimes they have restrictions there also but usually for big trucks.

Califorinia will usually have a check sattion set up in Nevada if you are on I-80 and will check for chains/snow tires. If you dont have them or not enough, they will turn you around.

Having a set of chains is cheap insurance....Les Schwab usually carries cahins for most pickup tires sizes for around 150.00. They will last longer than the ones you will find at discount parts places.

My wife and I are use to 'throwing iron' when the time arrises, or we just a nice comfy parking spot and wait it out.
 

tyeeman

New member
aesynthetics,
Yep, my brother and I were out there last year. We stayed at Bear Lodge, Burgess Junction. I live 35 miles west of the western suburbs of Minniapolis, , jumped down to I-90, , 12 hours to Sheriden, stayed over night there cuz we couldn't get our room at Bear Lodge til the next day. Sheriden to Burgess was something like 30-40 miles.
We brought one sled in a one place enclosed trailer, towed with a Suburban, and rented one sled, actually ended up renting another one. The drive out and back was awesome save a little slippery stuff on the way back. We went in early March.
If your towing a big trailer with small block V-8 you'll learn to dislike the loooonnngggg hills in South Dakota. If you have a big block or diesel you won't have any trouble.
 

ezra

Well-known member
I have got stabbed with the big banana in the sierra Nevada,s buy cal tran for the chains was like the early 90's and they made me buy a set for like 80 bucks
 

aesynthetics

New member
No small blocks anymore! LOL. Have a Dmax, actually I've delivered cars from Wisconsin to California with a 28' enclosed. I only do show or custom cars that need special care and the owners or buyers want peace of mind. I'm just going to the Big Horns with an enclosed two place, so I have to check once and a while to see if the trailer is still back there. Tyeeman, what was your take on the Bear Lodge, but more importantly the riding? How much backcountry riding did you do?
 

tyeeman

New member
Bear Lodge is shall we say, , "used". That said the room we had was clean, the help is freindly AND they play Sledneck videos in the bar. :) The bonus was we had a ground level room in the front so we could park our sleds right outside the room. You will park your truck and trailer elsewhere, not directly in front of your room or the building. The food in the bar and restaurant was awesome, for breakfast you can either order off the menu or do the buffet, prices were pretty reasonable too.
We're kinda novices at the whole back country riding thing but there is a TON of places to ride, pretty much pick a direction and go! When we were there the snow was pretty well used and started to get kinda crusty so we kinda had to look for virgin snow to ride. You will probably hear about people going up to "high country" to ride. When we were out there you could pick out the guys that were coming back from high country as they and there sleds were covered with snow. Seemed like it always snowed alot up there. High country is like 25 miles by trail from Bear Lodge. High Country Lodge I believe is the only place down in that neck of the woods with fuel. So if you intend to do a lot of back country playing I would bring extra fuel as fuel is reletively limited.
If you want to ride trail I think they have like 300 some miles of trail. Most of the trail we rode was well groomed.
Have fun you'll enjoy it!
 

aesynthetics

New member
Thanks so much for the info! We are actually staying at the Elkview Inn, 1 1/2 miles away I guess its a pretty new place. Others that are going are at the Bear Lodge. You said almost to a tee what the others that are going have told me. They keep going back there so for someone that has never been there, I figured it has to be good. They are supposed to send me maps and everything, I have an Etec but I will always know exactly where I can get gas. That you can bet on. You've got me cranked up about it ever more than I have been. If we make a video I'll be sure to post it! Thanks again!
 

tyeeman

New member
No problem, glad I could share the info. And yeah you will like the Elkview, i'ts pretty nice. We stopped in just to look around and we thought it was pretty swanky.
Have a safe trip.
 

gade09

New member
You will have no problem with gas for your Duramax. Fill up in Sheridan or Dayton before heading up to Burgess Junction and you will be good for the round trip back. We always gas up and buy our supplies in Sheridan for the week. They will have maps and info on gas at Elk View. Plenty of areas to off trail and trail ride from your room. You should have a great time, especially if your group is made up of Renagades and none of those pro ride shorties.
 
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