Anyone know of a car rental company that allows the use of snow chains/cables? I'm planning a trip to Mammoth in December and will be renting a large SUV and would want to be able to put on chains if required.
I know I can always put them on and not say anything, but if anyone knows of a place that allows it would be great. Thanks!
Not really an answer to your question but maybe a hint, why some allow and others not. Might depend on the car models they have. When I was looking for chains for my car I was told that one can't mount chains to most SUVs since they don't have enough space between the wheel and the suspension (or something like that, don't remember exactly) and that I should check with the manufacturer if it's the fact for my SUV. Got some "special SUV" chains now that should work for the Toyota RAV4 (never used them so far)
When I was looking for chains for my car I was told that one can't mount chains to most SUVs since they don't have enough space between the wheel and the suspension (or something like that, don't remember exactly))
You got a BS answer. There is like a foot of clearance on every SUV's (exaggeration but not much) I don't know why you were given this answer but I guarantee you it's not do to clearance.
Im betting its for insurance purposes and liability.
Only problem is if you are renting will you know the tire size, make & model in advance to know if the chains you own will work :dunno:
Otherwise, just call around. Most places I have rented from have asked if we want to rent chains, as well. But since we're ordinarily in an SUV of some sort, I've only rented them once (and didn't need to use them) when we were in Tahoe a few years ago.
R1: Chains are required - snow tread tires allowed.
R2: Chains are required on all vehicles except four wheel drive vehicles with snow tires on all four wheels.
R3: Chains are required - all vehicles - no exceptions.
R1 and R2 are the most common conditions. The highway is usually closed before an R3 condition is imposed.
Cool, thanks for the info! Great link. It's been almost 20 years! I don't ski, and didn't snowboard then so my experience driving in those conditions was limited!
(...and as I get older, so is my long term memory apparently!)
Even if you have a 4wd, Caltrans still wants you carry chains, at least in my experience when it was coming down 2 seasons ago. I was driving a 4wd rental at the time and the guy said I should by the next place and grab some as its a requirement to still have a set in your car. /shrug
Most rental places don't have snow tires on their cars and many don't have them available (particularly airports). Some places you can request them in advance but the fee is quite large.
The last couple of seasons they have been known to stop people outside of Bishop and turn them around if they aren't carrying chains. Regardless of the vehicle or tire type. Chains in Bishop aren't ridiculously expensive, unless your travelling at night. If you make it all the way to Mammoth and then need chains then you had better have good credit.
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