Posted: 12/30/2016 7:27:38 PM EDT
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We get very little snow, but when we do it can be a challenge.
I've never used chains or cables. Which is easiest to put on and get me around short term? And since they might be used once per year, cost is a factor. |
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I've used chains many times, and they are a PITA to put on, and next to useless unless there is considerable depth to the snow or ice. They will also wear out quickly if you tun them on dry pavement!
Search "tire socks" and take a look a some of the offering out there. The manager for the local vehicle maintenance depot is recommending we get these for our vehicles. Apparently they are really easy to install and remove, and he tested them on a rear wheel drive vehicle that was stuck in the snow. They put the socks on, and it drove right out!. |
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I've used chains many times, and they are a PITA to put on, and next to useless unless there is considerable depth to the snow or ice. They will also wear out quickly if you tun them on dry pavement! Search "tire socks" and take a look a some of the offering out there. The manager for the local vehicle maintenance depot is recommending we get these for our vehicles. Apparently they are really easy to install and remove, and he tested them on a rear wheel drive vehicle that was stuck in the snow. They put the socks on, and it drove right out!. Off to google "tire socks" |
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Whatever route, practice first as a dry run. Nothing like trying to learn while you are stuck. This is good advice. Put them on when it's sunny and warm, drive for a few feet to get a feel. I haven't been in a situation where chains were necessary since I was a child, but they're usually only necessary in areas that don't get frequent snow or aren't easily accessed by road maintenance crews. Highway patrol requires that you carry them in CA around Lake Tahoe in winter, but I haven't seen or heard any out here in the East, yet. |
| Honestly, nothing beats quality winter weather rated studded tires..short of that a winter rated unstudded tire...problem with chains/ cables is they most likely won't be put on until after you have found yourself in trouble....not all wi tee rated tires are the same..look for the snowflake emblem... |
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Tire socks are pricey I think I'll just stay home  Actually not a bad idea if you can! 
Price wise, the socks are similar to V-bar chains, which is what you want if you buy real chains! Tire socks Real chains |
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I just bought a set of these chains for the 4Runner to use going to the cabin. The hill can be icy at times. I practiced with these and they were easier to put on compared to the other chains I've used.
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I use them everyday lately, they're invaluable for delivering mail, but they still suck. I've broken two sets this week. For highway use on a car I'd go with cables. City carrier? I'd think a Rural or HCR in your area would have 4wd! Then again, you're probably dealing with feet rather than inches!!! 
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Actually not a bad idea if you can!
Price wise, the socks are similar to V-bar chains, which is what you want if you buy real chains! Tire socks Real chains Quoted:
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Tire socks are pricey I think I'll just stay home Actually not a bad idea if you can!
Price wise, the socks are similar to V-bar chains, which is what you want if you buy real chains! Tire socks Real chains I'm retired so I don't have to go out if conditions suck. I was thinking about getting my wife to work. |
Wow time warp back to the seventy's. Chains are for rear wheel drive cars befor GLOBOWL WARMING! I live in the white mountains in NH and Ive never seen chains since the 1970's!!!!!! WTF? If you have to drive in snow, get a front wheel drive! or if thats not enough get studded tires for winter. Or do what most people do who dont sit down to pee/? Get a 4X4 TRUCK. Or if your a metro ,an all wheel drive. Last but not least STAY HOME. If you cant drive in the stuff or able to procure the previous mentioned methods of transportation your of no help to society in a snowstorm.
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Based on recent experience (before Thanksgiving) the cables are more compact to store, easy to drive on and simple to take off. I stuck thirty dollars out the window to have the chain installer put the brand new chains on that I bought before going up the mountain.
For God sakes, I have a Donner Party sig line, I sure the hell checked if chains were required before I drove over the Sierras. 
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Cables feel better on pavement, but chains will turn even the shittiest tires into traction monsters
another benefit of chains is that you can lay them out under the tires like sand ladders to get yourself out of some situations. I keep a set in the dump truck all year long because of that |
Whatever you do, stay away from cables that look like this:
Back in 2010, I was getting my car dyno tuned at a shop 40 miles away, so I had drag radials on it. I heard of an upcoming storm, but thought nothing of it because it was pretty warm outside with motorcyclists cruising around everywhere. 5 minutes into my trip home and I'm sitting in 10 inches of snow watching my tires spin round and round. I got some of those cables from autozone, it took damn near an hour to install because I couldn't get enough traction to drive over the cables. Once they were mounted and secured, I drove for over an hour at about 25mph before the rubber center band broke causing damage to my fender and bumper. |
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Based on recent experience (before Thanksgiving) the cables are more compact to store, easy to drive on and simple to take off. I stuck thirty dollars out the window to have the chain installer put the brand new chains on that I bought before going up the mountain.For God sakes, I have a Donner Party sig line, I sure the hell checked if chains were required before I drove over the Sierras. I have relatives on the other side of the Sierras and they have health problems. I might have to drive over on I-80 at pretty much any moment. New truck, wife bought me a set of cables for Christmas, so far not needed. |
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Wow time warp back to the seventy's. Chains are for rear wheel drive cars befor GLOBOWL WARMING! I live in the white mountains in NH and Ive never seen chains since the 1970's!!!!!! WTF? If you have to drive in snow, get a front wheel drive! or if thats not enough get studded tires for winter. Or do what most people do who dont sit down to pee/? Get a 4X4 TRUCK. Or if your a metro ,an all wheel drive. Last but not least STAY HOME. If you cant drive in the stuff or able to procure the previous mentioned methods of transportation your of no help to society in a snowstorm. WOW Who the fuck pissed in your iced tea? |
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I've never seen roads that 4wd can't get you out of... I have about 200lb of steel strapped down in the back of my truck though. Was just having some fun in 4" of snow on the unplowed back roads last week. You haven't spent much time in the snow then. We had to chain up getting the Christmas tree this year- breaking trail in about 14-16" of snow. I've gotten stuck with all four wheels chained. Then it is either winch or backhoe to get out. |