Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Best type of snow chain?

Somebody would try it in a Prius........with studs!

Went through Donner Pass late winter sometime in the mid 80''s. Walls of snow on either side. You could tell they were working on the shoulders going the other direction by the plume of snow shooting above the top of the wall. That was in the old Ford Fiesta overloaded with enough stuff to set up an apartment for a four month audit. The only place that I remember where chains were required AND needed was around Flagstaff.

^^^^^^^^^^^^These^^^^^^^^^^^^

My first recommendation would have been snow/ice tires. But California is too warm to run them without burning them up. They might only last 10000 miles in that environment.

Like Rock Chuck said, buy those, practice putting them on so it's easier on the side of the road and you're all set.

Studded snow tires would be the best if its a winter long deal.

If not see if you have clearance for chains. Just get regular chains. Or if it is just to be legal or basically no chance that you'll really need them, then maybe the cables. I run studded snow tires on my 98 corolla just fine. Before I had them I put chains on a few times and they worked great. Bought a set at the walmart in Evanston and put them on in the parking lot. I-80 was closed the whole place was a mess. I barely got out of the hotel parking lot to get to walmart. Slapped the chains on and I could go anywhere. You can't go fast with them but they'll absolutely work. And there are times when they are needed even if there isn't enough snow that clearance is even an issue.

Studded snow tires are a game changer even on a stupid little car like my corolla. There is a little extra noise on dry roads at slow speeds, but once I get going I don't really notice it. On a slick road, traction-wise, I'd rather be driving my corolla with studded snow tires than an all wheel drive with regular tires.

Jim, I've been over most mtn passes in Wyoming with my corolla with the studded tires.

Many newer cars AND trucks say to not run chains on the front at all. There isn't enough clearance. Chain damage isn't in the warranty.

Barkoff:

In Colorado, when the mountain passes get dicey, the rules state "chains or adequate snow tires". I run Goodrich All Terrain T/A tires on my pickup. When I think it might be prudent, I carry real chains for all four tires, just in case. I only have to put them on when I have done something stupid and have to get my truck unstuck.

If you really want your Honda Accord to be able to perform in snow then buy two extra rims and two Goodrich All Terrain T/A tires and put them on the front drive wheels, under the weight of the engine, in the fall, OR before you think you may be driving in snow.

I think it's a joke to try to put real chaines on a small front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive SUV sedan like a Honda Accord. There's not enough clearance between the tire and the wheel well to put on real chains and anything else is worthless. I pull at least one such vehicle out of a snow bank every year.

I have a friend who has a real nice pickup. He tried those redneck chains with the heavy duty plastic electric wire ties holding lengths of chain onto the tires. They lasted just long enough for him to get around the corner from camp before they broke and came off, They might be good enough to get your car unstuck, but not good for anything else.

KC

P.S. I've never used studded snow tires. But, that may be another alternative.

yes

These are slick as goose crap.

I didn't believe in them at first, but someone here posted a review.

Walmart carries them. Self-tightening. Easy on.

Not heavy by any means but that makes them perfect for cars or occasional light use.

I will throw them on if I get into crap crossing Wyoming in the middle of the night and they haven't started plowing yet or if it is really icy.

I carry a set of heavy chains with cam tighteners for when stuff gets real.

If the roads are bad enough that those chains aren't good enough for a small car, it's time to find a Motel 6.

I have 4 Z cable chains in my 4Runner. Easy to put on and plenty of clearance for cars. I also have heavy chains, but I have not used them since I got the cable chains. Search YouTube.

Hey Bark,

Get yourself a great set of cables and make sure you have fairly new tires.

Most on here don't understand that CalTrans and Highway Patrol close down the major roads through the Sierra when regular cars like your with cable chains cant make it. That means the snow clearing equipment can't clear the roads fast enough.

Been driving the Sierra highways and roads since the early 80's in everything from Motorcycles to TractorTrailers.

I always drive in snow in a 4x4 with snowtires myself but always carry a set of chains mostly for off road in muddy and ice conditions.

You'll be fine staying on roads Cal Trans services during snow storms with chains.

I recommend these.

https://www.amazon.com/Security-Chain-Company-SZ143-Passenger/dp/B000HZFDPU/?tag=car-bibles-20

Practice practice practice putting on and taking off before leaving home.

Take a nice mat or rug, Mechanix winter gloves, a good rain suit like those from Sterns. Carry a heavy long screw driver and large channel locks for adjustments.

Watch a bunch of youtube videos.

Enjoy the Snow, looks like its gonna be a good year in the Sierra for it.

Oh forgot go here for updates and also get the App for your phone.

http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/

Thank you for the replies. Studded tires are not a realistic option for driving in the snow once every ten years. Most of my runs to Tahoe are in the summer months.

As somebody mentioned, not a lot of clearance in the wheel-well, so after checking the different methods mentioned, looks like the cable chains would be the best option. HWY 50 to Tahoe, usually have to pull over in Placerville or Pollock Pines, then ride the chains the last fifty miles. If I did more snow driving I would invest in the studded tires or the ATs. Ten months out of the year are T-shirt weather where I live, the other two require a good sweatshirt, but hey, I have to put up with all the liberal BS for that mild weather..

Studs are for ice. A downside to studs is dry road braking, they skate on dry roads.

when the roads get that bad stay home ,as a lineman i hated people out in these conditions when i am trying fix power lines and not get my big truck struck . i also hated putting on and taking off chains on these big trucks ! chains just suck

ttt

Actually that made a lot of sense to me. I speak from the perspective of many New England (icy road) winters,

The highest elevation in the state of Michigan is less than 2,000 feet.

You don't drive out here where the plows don't make a pass every 15 minutes.

What Wabigoon said, studs are effective on ice, that's it. And can be a PITA if you drive across states. Quick Google: Thirty-three states and the District of Columbia set seasonal restrictions for metal-studded snow tire use. ... Ten states prohibit metal-studded snow tires:

Does anyone make chains for 35x 12.50 tires? I can’t locate them