Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 3, March 1, 2024
When signs are posted in accordance with division 17 rules
requiring chains on all or certain classes of vehicles, chains shall be placed
as described in this rule. Exhibit 1, Minimum Chains Required, is illustrative
of chain placement.
(1) Light duty
vehicles - vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or
less, such as a passenger car or light truck, shall have chains on one tire on
each side of the primary drive axle. Chains shall also be placed on a vehicle
or trailer being towed as described in section (3) of this rule. Traction tires
may be used in place of chains when the vehicle is not towing or being
towed.
(2) Medium duty vehicles -
vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds but less
than 26,001 pounds such as buses, recreational vehicles, and cargo vehicles:
(a) A single-drive axle medium duty vehicle
shall have chains on one tire on each side of the drive axle;
(b) A tandem-drive axle medium duty vehicle
shall have chains on:
(A) Two tires on each
side of the primary drive axle; or
(B) If both axles are powered by the drive
line, one tire on each side of each drive axle; and
(c) A tandem-drive axle medium duty vehicle
configured with one single-wheel axle and one dual-wheel axle shall have chains
on one tire on each side of the dual-wheel axle. Chains shall also be placed on
a vehicle or trailer being towed as described in section (3) of this
rule.
(3) A vehicle or
trailer towed by a light or medium duty vehicle described in sections (1) or
(2) of this rule shall have chains on one tire on each side of one axle if the
tow item is equipped with a brake.
(4) Solo commercial vehicles - vehicles with
a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more that are not towing:
(a) A single-drive axle solo commercial
vehicle shall have chains on one tire on each side of the drive axle;
and
(b) A tandem-drive axle solo
commercial vehicle shall have chains on:
(A)
Two tires on each side of the primary drive axle; or
(B) If both axles are powered by the drive
line, on one tire on each side of each drive axle.
(5) Commercial vehicles with
trailers - vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more
that are towing one or more trailers:
(a) A
single-drive axle commercial vehicle towing a trailer shall have chains on two
tires on each side of the drive axle and one tire on the front axle and one
tire on one of the rear axles of the trailer;
(b) A single-drive axle commercial vehicle
towing a semitrailer shall have chains on two tires on each side of the drive
axle and two tires, one on each side, of any axle of the semitrailer;
(c) A single-drive axle commercial vehicle
towing both a semitrailer and a trailer shall have chains on two tires on each
side of the drive axle, two tires, one on each side, of any axle of the
semitrailer, and one tire on the front axle and one tire on one of the rear
axles of the trailer;
(d) A
tandem-drive axle commercial vehicle towing a trailer shall have chains on two
tires on each side of the primary drive axle, or if both axles of the vehicle
are powered by the drive line, one tire on each side of each drive axle. Chains
shall also be placed on one tire of the front axle and one tire on one of the
rear axles of the trailer;
(e) A
tandem-drive axle commercial vehicle towing a semitrailer shall have chains on
two tires on each side of the primary drive axle; or if both axles of the
vehicle are powered by the drive line, one tire on each side of each drive
axle. Chains shall also be placed on two tires, one on each side, of any axle
of the semitrailer;
(f) A
tandem-drive axle commercial vehicle towing both a semitrailer and a trailer
shall have chains on two tires on each side of the primary drive axle or if
both axles of the vehicle are powered by the drive line, one tire on each side
of each drive axle. Chains shall also be placed on two tires, one on each side
of any axle on the semitrailer and one tire on the front axle and one tire on
one of the rear axles of the trailer; and
(g) A tandem-drive axle commercial vehicle
towing a semitrailer and a semitrailer that are connected by kingpin-to-fifth
wheel assemblies, commonly referred to as a "B-Train," or connected by
kingpin-to-fifth wheel "C-dolly" assemblies, commonly referred to as a
"C-Train", shall have chains on two tires on each side of the primary drive
axle; or if both axles of the vehicle are powered by the drive line, one tire
on each side of each drive axle. Chains shall also be placed on two tires, one
on each side, of any axle of the semitrailer at the B-train or C-train
connection, and on two tires, one on each side, of any axle of the rear
semitrailer.
Exhibits referenced are available from the
agency.
Statutory/Other Authority: ORS
184.616,
184.619
&
815.045
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 815.045,
815.140
& OL 2021 Chapter 630