Question: I would like to know about the requirement for winter tires on recreational trailers from October 1 to March 31 on B.C. highways. As far as I'm aware, I'm required to have snowflake / M+S tires in winter on my travel trailer, but such tires are not made. Can you please advise me on this situation?
Because the highway warning sign does not specifically picture travel trailers, I previously asked the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure about what tires are required on travel trailers in winter. I was told that all tires on the travel trailer must be snowflake or M+S.
The problem is, as far as I've been informed, ST designated tires (an ST designation is required for travel trailer tires) are not made in snowflake/M+S.
The rule that requires winter tires and / or tire chains is in the Motor Vehicle Act:
Winter tires and Traction Devices
208 (1) For the purpose of this section, "winter tire" means a tire that meets the standards and specifications prescribed for winter tires.
(2) The minister responsible for the administration of the Transportation Act may, by public notice or by placing signs, prohibit any vehicle or a class of vehicles from being driven or operated on a highway, unless the vehicle is equipped with chains, winter tires or traction devices, or a combination of these, that the minister responsible for the administration of the Transportation Act considers adequate in view of prevailing road conditions.
(3) A public notice or sign under subsection (2) may provide differently in relation to specified dates, prevailing weather conditions or any other criteria the minister responsible for the administration of the Transportation Act considers necessary or advisable.
(4) A person who drives or operates a vehicle in contravention of a prohibition made under subsection (2) commits an offence.
Sign Examples:
Public Notice Example:
Passenger Vehicle - Tire and Chain Requirements
The Ministry of Transportation and Transit's website says the following:
Fifth Wheels & Trailers
Recreational vehicles such as fifth wheels and trailers should have either 3-peaked mountain snowflake or M+S tires on the drive axle of the primary vehicle and chains on board for the trailer tires to prevent slippage on banked curves.
The word should implies that it is a good idea to use winter tires or carry chains for RV trailers. Must would mean that it is a requirement.
From a stability and braking point of view, it is likely best when all wheels of any combination have the same traction characteristics but there is no law that says this must be so other than requiring 4 studded winter tires if studded tires are used on front wheel drive vehicles.
So, until they add an RV trailer to the left side of the sign or publish a notice saying so, there is no legal requirement to use winter tires on RV trailers in B.C.
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