Chains on tires

Question

Hello, I was able to book the Hampton inn in silverthorne. I did notice chains required on many highways. I rented a jeep wrangler 4x4, do I need to add chains somehow to the tires, or is that only if the car is not awd? If I do need to add them, any recommendations I guess in Denver area?

Answer

In Colorado, chain laws are enforced in winter, especially on mountain highways. The requirement depends on road conditions and vehicle type. Since you rented a Jeep Wrangler 4x4, the rules are slightly different than for 2WD vehicles:

Colorado has three levels of chain/traction device requirements:

Level A: Chains required on all vehicles except those with 4WD/AWD.
Level B: Chains required on all vehicles except 4WD/AWD with snow tires.
Level C: Chains or traction tires required on all vehicles, no exceptions.

Since you have a Jeep Wrangler 4x4:

For most chain control situations (Level A or B), you do not need to manually put chains on your tires if your 4WD is functional and you have winter-rated tires.
If the highway is Level C, even AWD/4WD may need chains, though this is rare. The DOT usually posts signs in advance.

Additional tips:

Check the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) website or phone hotline before heading into the mountains to see current chain laws and road conditions.
Keep chains in your vehicle just in case conditions worsen, especially on I-70 west of Denver toward Silverthorne/Breckenridge.
If you want to have chains for extra safety, you can purchase or rent them in Denver at auto parts stores like AutoZone, O’Reilly, or specialized 4WD stores.
Make sure you know how to install them before your trip; practice at home or in a parking lot if possible.

In summary, with your 4x4 Jeep and winter tires, you usually won’t need chains unless the state declares a Level C chain law. Always check current road conditions, and it’s smart to carry chains as a backup in case conditions worsen unexpectedly.

Chains on tires

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