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Santiam Pass in winter questions

Yahoo Message Number: 20068
Who has gone over the Santiam Pass in the winter with their rig? If the weather is OK, has anyone been stopped by the Highway Patrol to see if they are carrying chains?

Our plan is to lay low in the JC area until the weather is good and make a run for it over the Pass to Bend, OR in late January, but I'm concerned about the requirements to carry chains for the rig, too.
(Yes, we know it's South in the Winter and North in the Summer...but....) Would like input.
Thanks...

Happy Holidays to y'all!
Jan McNeill

2001 Intrigue 11320

Santiam Pass in winter questions

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 20092
Hi Jan

When not traveling we live in Bend area and lived close to Salem for 30 years. We know the Santiam Pass like the back of our hand.
Oregon State Patrol WILL stop you and WILL give you a citation if chains are required and you don't have them on. They will not if chains are advised.
My advice - carefully watch the weather and do not attempt to cross if weather is severe. Remember - this is Oregon, and if you don't like the weather, wait a short while and it will change.

Good luck.

Tom

05 Magna #6479

Re: Santiam Pass in winter questions

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 20094
Quote from: Tom"
Hi Jan
> When not traveling we live in Bend area and lived close to Salem for 30 > years. We know the Santiam Pass like the back of our hand.

Oregon State Patrol WILL stop you and WILL give you a citation if

chains are

Quote
required and you don't have them on. They will not if chains are

advised.

Quote
>

My advice - carefully watch the weather and do not attempt to cross if > weather is severe. Remember - this is Oregon, and if you don't like

the

Quote
weather, wait a short while and it will change.

Good luck.

Tom

05 Magna #6479

Re: Santiam Pass in winter questions

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 20099
We went through there last year in late November, between storms. The only problem was that the coach and the toad were covered in mud from the sand on the road put there during the previous storm. There was not a spot on the toad that was not covered in mud!
So as long as you accept that a wash job may be inevitable, go ahead (but watch the storms). I washed the chassis and radiator really well, too, because I don't know if they also put down salt.

Al & Linda Colby
2000 Intrigue 10979
 

Re: Santiam Pass in winter questions

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 20100
We contemplated going over Santiam early last spring, stayed in Bend a couple extra days to let the temperatures rise a bit in hopes snow would change to rain. After talking to the locals and a trucker, we opted instead to go over Willamette Pass further south and more of a straight shot from Hwy 97 to Eugene.
Pass travel is a matter of chosing the right time/place/temperature, but unless the weather is closing in and/or getting colder, waiting later in the day and keeping an eye on the temperature will usually find the lower passes bare and wet during the shoulder seasons. In our case, Willamette Pass was that way.
BTW, carrying chains in a motorhome would be strictly for compliance purposes, should you get checked. I doubt you'd be able to wear them unless your coach has a lot more wheel well clearance than ours.

Dick & DeVonne
Allure #30519