Is the Tire Sock Legal in Cali
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While sets of tire chains sat in their summer hiding places through much of this winter, a user-friendly new product could relegate traditionally frustrating chains to the garage for a larger part of winter seasons to come.
The AutoSock is "a fabric-based traction aid for cars and trucks that is easy to mount and provides a satisfactory grip on slippery surfaces," according to company documents. "Specially patterned fibers optimize grip on slick surfaces by managing the thin layer of water on top of ice and snow."
This layer of water allows skiers and snowboarders to slide down local mountainsides, but, in this instance, the water has been harnessed for the opposite effect.
"We took the friction theories from the skiing industry," said Lars Saeboe, CEO of AutoSock, in a presentation at Harrah's last Wednesday night. "But we don't want glide, we want grip."
After the presentation, much debate surrounded whether or not the AutoSock would effectively pass chain control checkpoints.
Although the product is perfectly legal, it doesn't actually fall under the category of a "chain" in California. Chains are required to be made of metal under California law.
Representatives of the company said they were working with California and other states to modify the existing statutes, but the most important factor in their opinion, was to educate front-line Caltrans employees so they would be familiar with the product if it comes rolling through Meyers.
This education effort got off to a good start last Thursday morning during a demonstration of the product near Echo Summit.
Many Caltrans employees from the Meyers office were in attendance to see the AutoSock help a two-wheel drive sedan repeatedly achieve an uphill start on an otherwise treacherous stretch of snow-covered road.
Jack Tomkin, equipment manager for Caltrans, described the product's performance as "pretty Impressive," with his statement echoed by other Caltrans employees in attendance.
The product does have its limitations though.
AutoSock is not designed to barrel through deep snow because it does not have the same digging power as traditional tire chains.
While the traction aid may not be the equivalent to your powder skis, it may actually perform better on ice in terms of stopping power than traditional chains, according to Saeboe.
The user-friendliness of the product remained one of it's main selling points throughout the demonstration.
Since the AutoSock can be quickly and easily applied to a car's wheels to gain traction, it could allow people to get out of the house when road conditions deteriorate and they would prefer to stay at home rather than go through the hassle of putting on chains to travel short distances.
Jon Bergum-Furustez, sales engineer for AutoSock and former Incline Village resident, noted the AutoSock would be especially convenient in the Tahoe area for quick jaunts from unplowed side streets to frequently clear, main thoroughfares.
More information about the AutoSock, including purchasing information, can be found at http://www.autosock.us.
Is the Tire Sock Legal in Cali
Source: https://www.tahoedailytribune.com/news/could-the-autosock-replace-chains-using-ski-technology-on-your-tires/
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