OK Heres the full story.
THURSDAY Feb 27 -
We plan to go to Big Bear on Friday but there is a huge winter storm forecast for the weekend. It becomes clear that the only way to bring the Tesla will be to somehow find snow chains to fit the 21" wheels. I scout the internet for info but the only thing that comes up (from a suggestion on Tesla Forum) is that K45 Summit snow chains will "probably" work. I take the risk and order them express delivery for Friday morning.
FRIDAY Feb 28 -
The storm hits. Even in San Diego it's bad, high wind, a tree gets knocked down in the front of my house. Not a good start. I get the chains, go to great lengths to modify them to fit my wheels and we hit the road at 2pm with 245 miles RR (car loaded with 300 pounds of luggage, 2 kids, and wife). Everything is fine until we get to the 330.. As we start the climb we notice cars coming down the hill have 3-4 inches of snow on their roof... My stomach starts turning. 3000 feet, 4000 feet, 5000 feet... There is a turn off where people are putting their chains on. I continue to drive (mistake) since I don't see snow or ice on the ground. 5 minutes later I am caught in a blizzard. 3 inches of snow on the ground, high winds, and the road is completely shut down and blocked off due to a rock slide. The only way to proceed is by making a U-Turn and going back down the mountain (I'm only 5 miles from Big Bear)... Oh, and I have 35 miles of RR left.
At this point my car is stuck in the snow. The tires are like hockey pucks and all I do is spin. I get out of the car and walk to a police officer and ask for help pushing the car out of the drift. Very nice guy, looks at me, looks at the car and says "Is that a Telsa electric car?". I say "Yes officer". He says "So you brought a 100,000 dollar electric car to a mountain during a blizzard?". And I say "Yes officer"... Yes I felt like an idiot. Due to the position of my car I could only get one chain on but it was enough. With the officers help I was able to get traction and get the car moving. It was a miracle. Now I just had to get back down the mountain with my 30 miles RR left. Meanwhile the kids have no idea whats going on, they are warm and cozy watching their iPads while I'm frantic and losing my mind. I make it down with 50 miles RR (thank God for regen!) and we stay the night at the San Bernadino Hilton and I plug in at the Blink charger at the 7-eleven across the street. Both entrances to the mountain are closed so there is nothing to do but wait for the morning.
SATURDAY March 1 -
We get up early, determined to get to the top of the mountain (leave with 220 miles RR, thank you Blink!). We take the alternate longer route since the 330 is still completely closed. This time, I am ready. At about 6000 feet elevation there is a mandatory stop that requires snow chains. I put on the K-Summits and proceed to drive 22 MILES. YEs, 22 MILES at 20-30 MPH with the chains. It worked brilliantly. People were taking pictures of the crazy fool driving a Tesla to the mountains. Made it to Big bear and around town kept the suspension on High. This car handles great in the snow with chains. Even got it up a 12% grade on the driveway full of snow. When we get to the cabin I plug in (95 miles RR) to a standard 110 outlet (I only needed 50 miles RR but ended up getting 100, more than enough).
We had an awesome time.
SUNDAY - March 2nd
Chains come off, packed nice and neat. Back down the mountain. Completely uneventful.
LASTING LESSONS:
* Put your chains on EARLY - don't wait for snow to be heavy!
* Have double the miles you think you need because the sub zero temps, snow chains, and uphill driving eat up miles like crazy
* Don't let anyone tell you it can't be done.
* I would NOT attempt this without air suspension. Several times it was absolutely critical to have the suspension set to VERY HIGH or HIGH in order to clear huge piles of snow or big puddles of water
* I would and will do this trip again with the Tesla. It was easy. Car works as advertised: NO COMPROMISES
I will post later on the local california board if anyone wants to rent my chains I'll do so for a small fee and a deposit. I'll also show you how to put them on and take off.
