Snow Chains

Looking for recommendations for a good set of snow chains. I've never needed them before due to most places I've lived in Colorado, Maine. The roads were always treated. East Tennessee hasn't done well at all after the past week's snowfall and freeze. Icy roads are the norm right now. Thanks.

 

Your best bet is going to be snow tires. Studded if you want best performance on ice.

That said you can check here put in your tire size and look at the options. For on road use Id get something not very aggressive like a diamond or diagonal pattern.
https://tirechain.com/truck-and-suv/

I have a pair of square bar chains for my truck. Very aggressive. Ive only ever used them once offroad in deep snow with ice underneath. Didnt run them for very long either. To be honest I dont think I would buy chains again.

 

I ordered snow chain from Wesco Industry, Square Link instead of V-Bar.

Where I’m at it snows once and that’s it.
So it’s not viable to spend on studded tires. But it ices because the city doesn’t plow the roads until it’s too late.

To answer your question: From my understanding (correct me if I’m wrong)
V-Bar > Square Link > Studded Tires > Winter tires

(Not counting snow tire socks or the ratchet strap traction aid thing)

 

Same question here. I've got KO2's which are allowed in place of chains when crossing mountain pass snow zones during chain restrictions, but i'd like to have chains just in case. Been shopping etrailer.com, seems like Pewag is a solid brand, but I don't know.

 

Lots of choices and great info. Tire Chains-Best Snow Chains-TireChains.com

 

Id put diamond and diagonal patterns in there under square links.

Also just to make it clear for those who may not have a ton of winter experience, winter tires can be very good. Especially studded winter tires. Theres probably never a reason to run chains on studded winter tires

 

For the conditions you're in cables are a better option. You aren't going to see DEEP snow and ice. In the south they have enough equipment to clear the main roads, but backroads are usually not cleared. You'll see patches of ice and then patches of clear road. Cables to better over the pavement. You'll likely only need them for a few miles until you get to a main road that has been cleared.

MOST of the time here the snow melts on its own within 24-48 hours. People just stay home.

 

Happen to have a website?

 

Thanks. Our 2nd winter here and this is way worse than last year. Yes, main roads are okay, getting to them is the problem. Most people have stayed home. Except hospital workers etc. Our neighborhood has some steep hills and getting to a main road has them as well. Walking out on them is 2in of solid ice.

 

I agree that cables are the way to go if you're just using them on the road and not for long distances (your commute isn't 25 miles of chained up driving for example).

I have some square link chains that I carry for offroad when I may need more traction in snow or mud but I wouldn't run them on the road.

What tires are you running and how many years old are they? Regardless of tread depth, after about 5 years the compound hardens and traction is worse as a result.

 

I live on a STEEP hill about 1/4 mile to level ground. Then about 1/2 mile on level ground to a main road. When they predict snow here I usually park one vehicle at the bottom of the hill. There is an unfenced hay pasture there and the owner doesn't mind people in our neighborhood parking around the edge. Usually 8-10 cars. I will walk to the truck and make the 1/2 mile of ice/snow to the main road.

I have family in Knoxville. In fact, I have family all along the TN/NC border from Chattanooga to Bristol. We live in NW GA. You may go 3-4 years with no significant snow, then have years like this. It didn't get far enough south to effect us here this time.

 

Hey OP. For your situation where you just need something to get to a main road, consider snow socks.

Here's a video by the TFL guys doing a test of snow tires, snow chains, and a snow sock. What impressed me was how easy the sock was to take on and off versus the chains. That said, if you're going to consistently be in snow over long distances, I can't emphasize enough how much I recommend real snow tires (Blizzacks, etc.).

 

After using them for a few years I hate chains. A guy at a shotgun range where I worked had a mega truck, and had gotten autochains. He could deploy them from the cab with a switch. The price is not for the faint of heart.

 

Before buying chains I would check on the restrictions your state may have.

 

Remember they only go on the rears as clearance issues on front (with upper a-arm ball joint and brake hose). Thus steering on ice is limited more for start/stop.
If on front only danger of spinning around as rear looses grip on any ice.
3 peak rated tires help but of course in pure ice limiting speed is critical.

 

Autosocks are beyond useless. In most conditions their grip is worse than a decent winter tire, so putting them over Hakkapelittas/ Blizzaks/ X-Ice would actually result in worse traction. The TFL video compares them to cables, not chains, and has too many other variables to be objective. Here’s a better source-

https://youtu.be/W-k_1gz87vM?si=1vcX6odle19gTnjR

 

Chains are for 2wd cars

What kind of tires do you have?

If you need chains on a 4wd truck you're either offroading in deep snow or you should stay home

 

When the limiting factor is the friction between the ice/snow and the rubber of your tires, 4WD can help, but its not a replacement for chains or studded tires.

Snow/ice can be a whole other beast compared to dirt/gravel/sand/etc.

 

Wrong on all accounts. Most 2wd cars can not accommodate real chains. Even with 4WD and the best winter tires, there are still times where chains on all four tires are needed or at least preferred. While chains occasionally help in deep snow, airing down is usually a better option. Chains are for ice.

Many states, like Washington, legally require 4WD vehicles to have chains when going over mountain passes in winter conditions. Occasionally, they’re legally required to be installed on 4WD vehicles.

 

Huh? I see 2wd cars with chains on twice a week when I go snowboarding. I drove a 1991 Honda Civic to the ski hill for 5 years and used the shit out of my chains when conditions were bad. They fit fine as long as they're the right size

I know, I've been carrying them for over 20 years

I've never seen the DOT require chains on 4WD/AWD. If it's that bad they just shut the highway down