Arnold Ace Home Center

The important point of this post is that chains are only required to be in possession if the vehicle is being operated in a chain control area.
What are the R-​1, R-​2 conditions that I hear about?
Although Caltrans does not post signs with these designations nor use them to announce chain controls to the public, they are used internally within Caltrans and the CHP as a kind of shorthand to describe chain restrictions and may be included in traffic reports disseminated by various news outlets.
There are three primary categories of chain restrictions, as shown below:
R-​1: Chains are required on all vehicles except passenger vehicles and light-​duty trucks under 6,000 pounds gross weight and equipped with snow tires on at least two drive wheels. Chains must be carried by vehicles using snow tires. All vehicles towing trailers must have chains on one drive axle. Trailers with brakes must have chains on at least one axle.
R-​2: Chains are required on all vehicles except four-​wheel-​drive vehicles under 6,500 pounds gross weight and equipped with snow tires on all four wheels. Chains for one set of drive wheels must be carried by four wheel-​drive vehicles using snow tires.
R-​3: Chains are required on all vehicles without exception.
R-​1 and R-​2 are the most common conditions. A highway will often be closed before an R-​3 condition is imposed. Some local areas may use variations of these designations. You must follow the directions on the signs posted for chain controls or any instructions given by Caltrans or CHP personnel at chain control check points, even if these are at variance with broadcast road condition reports or information contained herein.
If I have 4-​wheel-​drive, do I need to carry chains?
Yes. Even though weather conditions may not warrant the use of chains on 4-​wheel-​drive vehicles at a particular time, to enter a chain control area, you must have a set of chains (for one drive axle) for your vehicle in your possession. If conditions worsen or you have trouble controlling your vehicle, you must stop and install the chains.
If I have snow tires, do I need to carry chains?
Yes. Even though weather conditions may not warrant the use of chains on passenger vehicles equipped with snow tires at a particular time, to enter a chain control area, you must have a set of chains (one pair) for your vehicle in your possession. If conditions worsen or you have trouble controlling your vehicle, you must stop and install the chains.

This ACE Hardware seems well stocked of tools and other indoor supplies as we walked around. However, I wasn’t looking for any tools but rather a plant. When I walked into the plant section, they were all dead from the cold. I didn’t see any indoor plants. I realize it was snowing and the temperature has dropped, but I figured they would still have some indoor plants left. Not the case. They did have freshly made popcorn that you can scoop and get a little bagful. There were plenty of employees but nobody asked to help us or acknowledge us. I did like how they have a sign out front with the current and weeklong weather report. That’s a nice local touch. Maybe next time, they’ll have some living plants.

Every time we come to Arnold we have to make a trip to the Ace. Not only are they pet friendly, they always have something we just have to have. Sometimes it’s killer bloody mary mix, other times its a funky snow hat for our daughter. This place is great both for finding toilet seats and treasures. Well worth a stop.

Arnold Ace is the best! My kids always beg to go so they can get some popcorn!
Friendly, helpful staff. They typically have most anything you would want at a hardware store. When I am in town, I find myself at Ace almost every other day!

So stopped by to pick up some essentials. Went to purchase a pack of batteries that were listed for $ 9.99. Got to the front of a very long line and it rang up $ 15.99. What? Yup, the price tag on the shelf was no where to be found. Rather than holding up the line any further, I just bought them.
Although I still like this place, there needs to be a better check on the price postings. Somewhat disappointed.

My family owns mountain property in the gorgeous Sierra Nevada’s above Arnold. We often find ourselves tootling down to Ace Hardware for hefty tarps, bee attractant, your typical cabin repair supplies, tools and much more.
The owner is always friendly! The employees here are helpful and knowledgeable, They are willing to special order out of stock or unique items that cater to mountain living needs.
Ace in Arnold is wonderful for that reason, The carry things that you wouldn’t typically find in a crowded city hardware store — like bear mace! It’s mountain convenience at best.
The free popcorn is always a treat and Trixi, the owners dog is adorable and friendly as well.

Just as Big Trees Market is the place to get your food provisions in the area, I have found that Ace Hardware just off Highway 4 between Chevron and the Post Office is where you go to get household supplies, tools, snow shovels, etc.
Staff is helpful and walk you to the items you are looking for. Bonus points for the resident dog and the «bear» holding the white board outside with the local weather forecast.

You’d think a small mountain town would have a hardware shop straight out of Little House on the Prairie (feed bags and all), but Ace Hardware definitely caters to the crowd in this area as well.
The full-​scale lumber yard is perfect for firewood and stove pellets, and the invoice system makes everything feel a lot less formal. The free popcorn is a nice touch too!
It’s just a shame there is massive markup around here. I guess this is what you get for being the only game in town…

Wow for Arnold this store has everything, and very frendly staff. Go check them out

Very helpful staff and great selection of souvenirs to take home with you. Although, It seems the prices have gone up in the past few years. Check this place out!

WINDOW SCREEN REPLACEMENT — I brought a window screen in for repair, and when I went to pick it up I noticed that it had been repaired incorrectly and also the tabs to hold it in place were missing. I left it to be redone. when I went back to pick up the screen, I was told that it had been lost. I went home and told my wife. she called Ace to find out what was going on — after being transferred 3 times, a man advised her that he had just come back from lunch, and knew nothing about a lost screen. He continued saying that the guy who repairs screens for ACE does so off premises and had no telephone. I asked him to research it and get back to me. He called back and said the screen had been found along with tabs in the guy’s repair shop and ready. Post two unnecessary trips and one month later!

Very helpful staff. My kids loved the popcorn. Thanks!

Probably the most helpful staff to work in a hardware store! We came here since we were camping at Calveres Big Trees just up the road desperate for some camping supplies. We were able to purchase fire wood, kindling, hand warmers, cups, etc. and about 3 or 4 people ended up helping me as I wandered around to point me in the right direction (I must have looked lost). The wood was much better here than the stuff we bought at the campsite, so next time we would go here instead. Great store, reasonable price, and great service.

Customer on 5÷27÷10:
I was already unhappy when I showed up to this place, because I had to drive 3 hours, from the Bay Area, to do ultra minor repair work on or trailer’s campsite or face the prospect of a $ 200 dollar fine. The person that was supposed to inspect the site and tell me what needed to be fixed, showed up after the work was done, so I had to just guess. Oh, and it was pouring rain/​sleet. Not ideal working conditions. I was able to get some good advice from the service man out in the yard. He was dressed like a cowboy from the outback of Australia, but was pleasantly helpful. He set me up with the 3 cuts of 2×8 that I needed and dropped in some scrap 2×4 for free! WOOHOO! When I checked out I didn’t pay attention to the price since my temper was still boiling inside and it was still raining hard outside. Review of my receipt showed a single 8ft 2×8 redwood was $ 26.99, plus cuts ($ 0.50 ea) and tax ($ 2 something).
I liked the service and their efficiency (that may be a different case on a dry day). Also glad they have signs to the lot up on many trees as you drive back since its almost 0.5 miles off HWY 4.
This place may be a little pricey, but that tends to come with the fact that it is 72 miles into the Sierras from Stockton.

Re-​modeled my house and used this business for all my remodel needs. Good prices and a great group of staff that helped me with all my questions about product quality. Thanks

I’m surprised there aren’t more reviews of this great place. I would recommend that visitors to Arnold check it out, for the free popcorn, if nothing else! There’s the practical stuff, like firewood, paint, tools, key making. Then there’s fun stuff like mountain home décor, souvenirs, and gifts. The staff is always helpful. To repeat: it’s a great place!

This is a very quaint hardware store. It’s not very big as compared to other ace home centers but they have everything a person could possibly want. The people who own this store are super friendly and helpful. You know how it is when you walk into a new place. You are kind of lost. This is not like your big sicy stores where you can wonder around for an hour before finding someone to help you. Just look to your left/​right and there will be someone there to help.