TIRE CHAIN ALTERNATIVE

Has anybody used these. I am going to NV from the OR coast to my daughters house. I want to carry something, as in the past i had CHP stop me, and tell me i had to chain up. He said it was because of idiots that did not know how to drive in the snow.

https://autosock.us/

 

Check YouTube, I could have sworn I saw a video on these last winter, however I don't recall how they did.

 

I know what you mean. Even if you have the right tires, vehicle, and experience to drive safely in the snow, there are conditions where CHP will make all drivers put on chains. And often you don’t need them on for very long distances.

I’ve used chain alternatives (cable devices); they easily break and fall off. Chains are your best bet. Get the right size and practice putting them on at home. Wearing gloves. You may carry them for years and never need to use them.
And BTW, only use them on the rear tires. That’s what the owner manual states. A loose chain on a front wheel can cause all sorts of damage.

For those autosocks check out this article.
https://www.snowchains.com/snow-chains-vs-snow-socks

 

From everything I've read, seen and experienced, chains are better in every way except driver comfort, as the snow socks are essentially as quiet as bare tires. But I'd say snow socks are 80% of what chains are, chains are just that small bit better. Longevity is also a big plus, chains properly tensioned and responsibly used can be used for many seasons. Snow socks get torn up on less than ideal conditions faster than chains.

I will agree, idiots who don't know how to drive in the snow are by far more dangerous than the actual weather conditions. Too bad there isn't a dang thing to do about them though haha

 

AWFULLY pricey, it seems to me! Check Amazon, Costco, Walmart, Discount Tire or Les Schwab. Les Schwab used to refund the chain price if returned un-used.

Typically, chains are about 1/2 the price.

We went south from eastern Washington to SoCal in early November. Got snow on the first pass (1-2"), then from Bend, OR to almost Reno and bad snow from Carson City to Bridgeport, CA. I mean whiteout, 4-6 inches of snow. We returned from Vegas through the desert (Beatty, Tonopah) to Carson City. The Hwy 97 north to home. We were fine in our 4WD SR5 w/o chains but All Terrain tires. Had some long stretches of 45 mph and even some of 25 mph.

I agree, it's mostly idiots who don't know how-to drive snow! We got home and it took us 3 1/2 hours (including a stop for dinner and to let traffic die down) to go 3 miles from the dentist to home. Delays were several spinouts and three moronic truckers who decided to stop and put chains on while crossing the two bridges over the Columbia!

 

Back when I had my JKUR I was frequently stopped by CHP while traveling to Big Bear, Tahoe, and Mammoth for this reason. I rarely carried chains, but I just told them my tires were rated for snow (BFG mud terrains). The officers looked for the 'S' on the tire, saw it, and let me on my way without having to put chains on.

 

I've used both cable type and regular chains in Ca. before, this is on a semi though. Cable chains have a short life expectancy on a semi that needs to 'buck' heavy packed snow, regular chains do the best job and last for a loooong time. Both are bulky and storage may be a concern. I've known of 1 person that used the tire socks, and they did their job, although after use were somewhat bulky and held a lot of snow, which was difficult to remove until they thawed out. The video about the socks is just that, a video trying to sell something, costly, still effective, but I am a believer in regular tire chains, still costly, maybe, but very effective... Just MHO.

 

Get a set of titanium chains.

 

I've never needed chains on a 4WD except once on a mulie hunt in WT after a thaw in deep mud. Didn't have any but a buddy borrowed a set from another hunter and chained all 4 wheels on his F-150 (he tried with a single set, but it wasn't enough). He drove off-the sloppy road and tugged us up the last 50 feet or so. I was in my pre-Taco SR5 p/u.

 

Just because you might not have ever needed chains doesn't change the fact that there are chain laws in some states. No matter your skill sometimes you need chains.

 

Never been anywhere chains were REQUIRED on 4WD in any of the states west of the Rockies (Sierras, Coastal Ranges, Cascades and a good portion of the Rockies, as well as on the East Coast=Some have required chains be carried in the vehicle) that includes 20+ years of driving Department of the Interior rigs in the Cascades and Sierras.

 

In California a 4WD vehicle with snow tread tires (stamped with some variation of Mud+Snow) does not need to install chains under signed R-1 or R-2 conditions. But you have to carry them just in case the conditions become R-3, like during an active snow storm before the plows can get out. Or when a CHP tells you to. This only happened to me once in 40+ years of driving in the Sierra. (CHP will generally close the road if it gets to R-3 conditions).

I once drove in a massive snow storm in deep snow into Yosemite Valley in the 4R on M+S Michelins with no chains and no problem. I only encountered two other vehicles going in the opposite direction in 50 miles (3hrs) of driving, so no idiots to contend with.

 

Me personally don't like to use chains on my 4Runner worried about any damage if things go wrong. So like to have proper tires.

Some states seems to allow just M+S rated tire like Michelins.

But if possible have proper winter rated tires with mountain snow flake symbol.

 

Yep. I run 3-peaks and I carry chains in the Sierras because it can be required.

From my experience (40+ years) they usually close the road at R3, and if it's not closed I'd rather not be out there under those conditions.

 

The other thing about tire chains is if they get loose and start flopping around they can crack alloy wheels and leave you stranded, whenever we've used chains it was with steel wheels.

 

We seem to be going adrift. The OP asked if those were reasonable alternatives to chains and, I think, most agreed they weren't except in light cases and seemed to be more expensive than standard chains.

Several of us digressed into a discussion of whether snow chains may be required on 4WD vehicles. Most have not ever been in conditions requiring them although we all seem to agree that you may be required to carry them in your rig by the statutes.

None of us want to be driving under those conditions.

 

Snow chains are unquestionably the most affective way to improve traction in snow and ice (better than studded tires), especially deep snow. The snow cables are a good compromise, and even the mailmen use them on their trucks when it gets snowy. They are probably the best alternative that will last fairly long.

Expensive chains aren't worth it unless you use them constantly. Only truckers need extremely hardened chains because of weight. Most chains wont let you go above 30 mph, so it only something of last resort.

 

My brother had to drive out to mammoth about 6-8 years ago in a killer storm. He was considered a required worker as he fixed airport X-ray machines. Anyways he had his work Tacoma on 35 triple peak and they still had him out chains on. He said it was flat out dropping feet of snow, ever since those chains are always in the corner of his truck just in case.