OAR 734-017-0010: Minimum Chains Required

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. [ED. NOTE: Exhibits referenced are available from the agency.]