Tire Chains?

[arlington22201]

I've noticed that there are a lot of people here who drive for a living so I figure this might be a good place to ask the experts. What do you all think of tire chains?

I'm a pretty good foul weather driver but I still get stuck every now and again. I was thinking that having a set of chains in the trunk might help me out of a jam sometime.

Does anyone have or use chains?

[SHMIV]

I carry chains on my truck. This time of year, the law requires them in places like Colorado, Utah, or many other snowy mountain areas.

My personal policy (which is supported by the company) is that if the roads are bad enough to require chains, then I don't need to be driving on them.

I carry a snow shovel, and a camp saw on my truck. The snow shovel is self explanatory, and the camp saw is for cutting branches to throw under my wheels for traction.

The purpose of chains is to keep you out of a jam, not get you out of a jam. You utilize chains on snow-packed roads. Obviously, there's exceptions to this rule; you might find chains handy for getting out of your driveway, for example.

If you do choose to get chains, practice installation and removal a few times, in good weather, before you need them. You don't want to be trying to figure them out in the middle of an emergency. Also, using chains when the immediate situation doesn't require them will kill your tires. (ie: installing them preemptively, in case it snows, then driving on them)

Personally, I would suggest that keeping a snow shovel and camp saw in the trunk of your car would serve you better than chains. Even if you do get chains, you'd still do well to have those things.

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[MarcSpaz]

I would forget about this if you are thinking of VA. Like H mentioned... once you're stuck, your stuck. Chains and cables will be impossible to put on once you are stuck. Also, putting them on to avoid an getting stuck wont work either because chains, cables, cleats, studs and every other type of item not made of rubber is illegal to use on the road in the state of VA with one very small exception.

For vehicles under 5 tons, you can only use studded tires from October 15 to April 15. The studs can't protrude more that 1/6th inch beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire and the studs have to make up 3% or less of the traction surface of the tire.

https://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp50 ... +46.2-1044

Lets say you have a tire patch that touches the ground where the tread contacting the surface of the road is 8"x5" (standard mid-size car tire), no more than 1.2" of metal can be touching the road. Don't know how many times you've been stuck in mud or snow, but I absolutely guaranty you will see better performance by leaps and bounds if you use an MT tire compared to the crappy studded tires approved for use in VA.

And just so you realize just how little a typical car tire touches the road... I did a burnout with my Mustang and after I swept away the dust, you can see just how little of the tire actually was touching the ground.

http://fiveguysracing.com/marc/Bottle_Burn_1.jpg



http://fiveguysracing.com/marc/Bottle_Burn_2.jpg

[WRW]

Once in a jam, it is too late for chains. For rural applications, they work great for getting to the main roads where they can be removed. As stated previously, if you are not essential for public safety then why risk becoming a part of the problem?

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[wittmeba]

I think you would be better off carrying a tow strap or chain. As MarkSpaz indicates once stuck you may need to be pulled from a side of the road to get started. Chains are a pain to put on any vehicle especially in the snow - which is usually too late anyway.

Good tow straps can be had at Lowes for about $40.00 (search on lifting straps - 2 hooks with 5-6000# strap). Then flag down someone with a beefy looking Pickup truck with 4 wheel drive. They can do wonders.

[HighExpert]

I have a set of chains for my Ranger 4X4 which has full wheel lock in low range. The only time I have used them was pulling another vehicle out of the ditch. I run regular Michelin radials and can go about wherever I want. Not saying I can't get stuck, but if I do, it will take a really good vehicle to pull me out. I got carried away when I bought the chains. They are Swedish ice racing chains with carbide cleats. Not legal just about anywhere, but will bite into anything you drive on. Pavement suffers severe damage. Don't ask how I know. I don't think you need to spend the money. Stay home.

[jdonovan]

have 'em use 'em.

Chains go on before you're stuck. And they are a fair pain-in-the-aas to get on , and by on I mean on right, even under good conditions.

I live way down a bunch of back roads, so we are often way-late on the plow schedule. I'll often chain up before a bad storm in case I need to get out in an emergency. After the plows come through and everything is clear enough, I'll take 'em off.

Had to use them a few times, to unstick other equipment.

[Swampman]

I've driven in Wisconsin winters with bald tires on a really light car ('71 Torino) and never been stuck. If it's bad enough for chains, stay home.

[Snakester]

I won a set of chains as a door prize a few years ago . When it snowed later that Winter I put them on CraigsList and got "Top $$$" for them. I agree with Swampman ...Bad enough to need Chains Stay Home !

[arlington22201]

Why didn't I think of just staying home? That will work in a jam.

Shmiv, thanks for the tip on the camp saw!




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[SHMIV]

Sure thing. The saw is good to keep year round, by the way. Branches work in mud, too.

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[dorminWS]

I carry chains on my truck. This time of year, the law requires them in places like Colorado, Utah, or many other snowy mountain areas.

My personal policy (which is supported by the company) is that if the roads are bad enough to require chains, then I don't need to be driving on them.

I carry a snow shovel, and a camp saw on my truck. The snow shovel is self explanatory, and the camp saw is for cutting branches to throw under my wheels for traction.

The purpose of chains is to keep you out of a jam, not get you out of a jam. You utilize chains on snow-packed roads. Obviously, there's exceptions to this rule; you might find chains handy for getting out of your driveway, for example.

If you do choose to get chains, practice installation and removal a few times, in good weather, before you need them. You don't want to be trying to figure them out in the middle of an emergency. Also, using chains when the immediate situation doesn't require them will kill your tires. (ie: installing them preemptively, in case it snows, then driving on them)

Personally, I would suggest that keeping a snow shovel and camp saw in the trunk of your car would serve you better than chains. Even if you do get chains, you'd still do well to have those things.

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>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

And if you leave them on and keep driving after you don't need them, there's every chance they will wear in two and beat the fenders up on your car when they start coming apart. Saw a guy do that to a brand new Cadillac once.

[WRW]

Yes, those chains don't have to be abused to break. A couple of hard seasons, even with proper storage, and the links can wear through.

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