Do you use REAL snow chains

[wagoneer]

sign of hands on who uses real chains not the 1 year wonders?

 

[highdesertranger]

real snow chains are the only way to go. if you need chains, you need chains, no ifs ands or buts. real chains are actual chains, not cables, not nylon straps. real chains have a top speed of 30mph, not over 50mph as some cable chain manufactures claim. having said that chains are a pain in the ass. it's no fun putting chains on when it's 28 degree, at night, snowing, and a wind blowing. if you don't want to deal with it, don't go there. if you are there then you have to deal with it, plain and simple. highdesertranger

 

[Vern]

What HDR said... I would add that doing a dry run before actually needing to chain up will verify the fit and give you some familiarity with the install. Also waterproof gear and a headlamp are good things to have in your kit. I drove truck for  years... Learned some of the above the hard way :s

Vern

 

[rvpopeye]

Never used real chains or any chains up here in the great white N.E.
Real tires

Some use studded tires .
The ice racers put screws through from the inside.

 

[jimindenver]

I've run snow tires, I've run studded. Nothing compares to a real set of chains in 30 inches of snow. Come to think of it, not much moves without a real set of chains in snow like that. Helps to have two sets on a real 4x4 in low too.

 

[bullfrog]

Real chains with the center bar in the link with spider tensioners, head lamp, folding shovel to clear snow and ice form wheel well, foam padded water proof pad to lay on and gloves. I've only put them on once to check for fit.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

I've run snow tires, I've run studded. Nothing compares to a real set of chains in 30 inches of snow. Come to think of it, not much moves without a real set of chains in snow like that. Helps to have two sets on a real 4x4 in low too.

Personally, I have no interest in trying to drive in snow like that.  I've run studded snow tires - mounted and balanced on junkyard rims - for a couple of decades now.  I would not be able to get up my driveway without them unless I stopped at the bottom of the hill to put the chains on, and THAT is a major PITA just to cover a couple of hundred yards.

 

[MikeRuth]

I could be wrong here but tire clearances have gotten smaller, some vehicles may have a hard time fitting true chains. If I recall I have a Chevy HHR and I had a hard time finding any manufacture of true chains having a fit for that car.

My van, piece of cake.

 

[29chico]

Agreed on the real chains only.  The ones with the v shaped crossbars welded across the traction links bite like mad in ice.

A trick that can make installing chains a whole lot less of a nightmare: 

Get a couple of 2x6 blocks that are a bit shorter than the space between the traction links of your chains.  Lay the chain that you want to install out behind the tire.  Put a block or two into the gap between the traction links about one third back on the chains. Drive back until the tire is up on the block.  This way the chain is not stuck under the tire and one can finagle the chain onto the tire much easier as the chain is able to move a bit around the block.   Does not eliminate Tourett's attacks but reduces them nicely.

I always use at least two rubber chain tighteners on each wheel, more if I have them.  Keeping the chains from moving around at all on the tires is key.  Drive not more than a mile or two and stop to make sure that the chains have settled in well on the tire.  Tighten/adjust as needed.

 

[masterplumber]

Yep, run real chains on the rare occasions that I need them. Always carry a set fro each end with me in the winter. An old trucker showed me how to chain up from the top of the tire years ago, and I've never gone back to laying them out and driving over them. Real chains will last a long time also - since most of my trucks have had close to the same size tires, I've been running the same set since 1994. For storage 1 pair of pickup size chains fits just about perfectly in a fat 50 ammo can - has to be the fat 50 though, not the standard 50 caliber can. And make sure you keep them oiled to slow down rust. The best but messiest is to soak them in your used motor oil for a day or so before you dispose of the oil.

 

[INTJohn]

http://trucktracks.com/en/

I worked in the Michigan snow wilderness for over 20 years - get something worth using.

INTJohn

 

[Bud Smiley]

I want the Roto Grips automatic chains.

 

[wagoneer]

WoW in full time I would consider that option .

 

[IGBT]

We carry real sets of dually chains for our 19,000 pound Isuzu but I hope to never need them.   Pretty heavy, probably 50 pounds total.   Some of the passes it is illegal to go over without chains on hand, even if conditions don't warrant having them that day.

 

[ArtW]

No chains, no snow, just occasional ice storms, which shut the state down lol
Probably I should get a pair for getting unstuck, but i haven't had a good stuck in over a year

 

[DuneElliot]

I used to. They went with my last truck when I sold it. So far I haven't driven anywhere that I needed them; the last set I only used twice...once on Wolf Creek Pass in Colorado and once when I got stuck in mud with a loaded horse trailer

 

[Bud Smiley]

Pro tip: you can score very cheap used chains at thrift shops and Pick'n'Pull-type junkyards. There's a specific thrift shop near me that always has a few pairs for less than $5.

 

[CautionToTheWind]

Growing up in North Dakota, never chained. In fact the ND peeps would probably laugh. If you need chains, stay home (not you in YOU). Studded tires save the day. I had winter set and summer set. (former truck driver here; chain from the top)

 

[IGBT]

What are ya'll talking about?

Guy (in Florida)

We were talking about chains.

You know, those things you hang yourself with when the Florida temp gets to 95 and the humidity is 100%

 

[No Prob Rob]

Keep in mind the reason people use "cables" instead of real chains is because real chains can cause damage to newer steel belted tires which will result in early tire failure. I have used both in lots of different conditions and I must say if it is so bad that you need chains instead of cables I think I am gonna stay home. The other factor is cables are waaay easier to put on, tolerate higher road speeds and if a cross link breaks on real chains it will beat the fender off a vehicle before you can get it stopped. Cables can break too but the damage is usually much less. Last trip to Utah I drove the whole way and there was 2-6 inches of snow on the road. I never got out to put chains on and I did just fine. F-150 Ford running some fairly aggressive mud/snow tires and the traction control on. If it is so bad I need chains I plan to stay in or call the National Guard. HA !


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