Tire Chains Vs Cable
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,671
Likes: 372
I imagine it will depend a little on where you're going. Chains might do better off road for snow, ice, and frozen ground (which will seem like ice if your tires make one or more revolutions without going anywhere). Cables should be enough on road. Neither will do much for stopping but definitely help going in certain scenarios. Personally, I've only used chains off road...not legal to have chains or cables on the road where I live.
Studded tires are usually enough on road, btw.
Like was mentioned, chains/cables may be a legal requirement depending on the location, elevation, etc.
Studded tires are usually enough on road, btw.
Like was mentioned, chains/cables may be a legal requirement depending on the location, elevation, etc.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,778
Likes: 153
I imagine it will depend a little on where you're going. Chains might do better off road for snow, ice, and frozen ground (which will seem like ice if your tires make one or more revolutions without going anywhere). Cables should be enough on road. Neither will do much for stopping but definitely help going in certain scenarios. Personally, I've only used chains off road...not legal to have chains or cables on the road where I live.
Studded tires are usually enough on road, btw.
Like was mentioned, chains/cables may be a legal requirement depending on the location, elevation, etc.
Studded tires are usually enough on road, btw.
Like was mentioned, chains/cables may be a legal requirement depending on the location, elevation, etc.
Most of the folks that get turned back is due to tires not suitable and they don't have chains or cables.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,671
Likes: 372
I have never encountered that in all my travels. Maybe because Much of my travels in parts of the US that see that kind of weather I travel by Jeep with 4x4 lockers front/rear, big winch onboard air system and a duffle bag full of straps and git out of a bind stuff. In fact i have had them let me in when the road was closed to all traffic on I 70 back in the winter of '85...of course I also told him I was a soldier on the way to a new assignment in Va, he looked at my equipment and said go for it and I don't think you will have any problem. This was on the W slope of Co and I drove all the till I peeled off somewhere in W Va IIRC and went on into Ft Monroe.
Most of the folks that get turned back is due to tires not suitable and they don't have chains or cables.
Most of the folks that get turned back is due to tires not suitable and they don't have chains or cables.
In some cases chains/cables are definitely necessary. 4x4 with lockers is good most of the time but deep snow covered ice is a booger. Without chains your traction is 4 tires times 0 traction which equals 0 traction.
Chains/cables are more for working off road or for getting caught by surprise in really nasty weather on or off road. Studded tires are usually sufficient.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,671
Likes: 372
Then you will not likely ever need them. They're illegal on most public roads all the time. There are only a few places in the US that may require you to have them. If you're ever in driving conditions where you need them you'll likely wish you were somewhere else. Good snow tires are usually enough. Chains/cables are more for ice that's covered with snow...especially snow that fell wet and got hard.
Chains also are needed off road on ice and believe it or not, on frozen ground especially if you're pulling a trailer, wagon, etc.
Chains also are needed off road on ice and believe it or not, on frozen ground especially if you're pulling a trailer, wagon, etc.
More Turbo
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 643
Likes: 154
From: Poway, CA
In California, you are required to carry chains/cables, even with 4X4 and the snowflake symbol on your tires. I believe it is virtually unheard of to be asked to install them if you have 4-wheel drive. If the CHP requires you to put chains on your 4X4 truck, you probably ought to wait it out somewhere safe if possible. In the winter, if I'm heading towards snow,I carry a set of chains/cables in my truck and my wife's AWD Acura MDX. I also have a set for my trailer.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 767
Likes: 78
From: NC
In California, you are required to carry chains/cables, even with 4X4 and the snowflake symbol on your tires. I believe it is virtually unheard of to be asked to install them if you have 4-wheel drive. If the CHP requires you to put chains on your 4X4 truck, you probably ought to wait it out somewhere safe if possible. In the winter, if I'm heading towards snow,I carry a set of chains/cables in my truck and my wife's AWD Acura MDX. I also have a set for my trailer.
I guess it's worth noting, where we were, there was danger of avalanches, so the roads would close soon enough before it got that bad. But other places, it could be a thing.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 469
Likes: 1
I’ve used them to get out of mud but haven’t needed for snow with my snowflake rated big ko2
at work we have all 2wd medium duty trucks. Have used chains many times and it makes all the difference. Even just on the outside wheels of a drw truck. Generally the highways to and from are clear within a day and once on the side roads we put them on until the end of day driving back on the main road. Depending on snow depth and conditions I keep it under 25-30 or much slower if it’s bad.
at work we have all 2wd medium duty trucks. Have used chains many times and it makes all the difference. Even just on the outside wheels of a drw truck. Generally the highways to and from are clear within a day and once on the side roads we put them on until the end of day driving back on the main road. Depending on snow depth and conditions I keep it under 25-30 or much slower if it’s bad.
More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 749
Likes: 93
From: Pagosa Springs CO.
I guess I'm old school , cables are for cars and chains are for anything bigger, but I guess times have changed.
I would think if you spend most of the time on pavement cables would be ok.
Also, if you do get your truck stuck in snow or mud not sure cables would be the best .
Cables are probably easier to install.
I would think if you spend most of the time on pavement cables would be ok.
Also, if you do get your truck stuck in snow or mud not sure cables would be the best .
Cables are probably easier to install.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1,134
Likes: 263
From: Southwestern Pa.
A bunch of years ago, I plowed my and the neighbor's shale driveways with an old Dodge Ramcharger. I had chains for all 4 wheels, but only ever ran a set on the rear wheels. That old Ramcharger would go anywhere when chained up.
Cross-Country
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 51
Likes: 8
In California, you are required to carry chains/cables, even with 4X4 and the snowflake symbol on your tires. I believe it is virtually unheard of to be asked to install them if you have 4-wheel drive. If the CHP requires you to put chains on your 4X4 truck, you probably ought to wait it out somewhere safe if possible. In the winter, if I'm heading towards snow,I carry a set of chains/cables in my truck and my wife's AWD Acura MDX. I also have a set for my trailer.
There is more than that to the California chain requirements........, if the unladen weight of the vehicle is 6000 lbs or more, chains are required to be installed in chain control areas even if the vehicle has snow tires and four wheel drive. It’s in the California Motor Vehicle Code. I found that out several years ago when I entered a chain control area with my F350 4x4 dually with M/S tires and was not allowed to proceed until I installed chains.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 4,064
Likes: 13
There is more than that to the California chain requirements........, if the unladen weight of the vehicle is 6000 lbs or more, chains are required to be installed in chain control areas even if the vehicle has snow tires and four wheel drive. It’s in the California Motor Vehicle Code. I found that out several years ago when I entered a chain control area with my F350 4x4 dually with M/S tires and was not allowed to proceed until I installed chains.
I did find the R1 requirements but have never seen them enforce this. I've only experienced R2 I guess.
Requirement 1 (R-1): Chains are required on all vehicles except passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks under 6,000 pounds gross weight and equipped with snow tires1 on at least two drive wheels. Chains must be carried by vehicles using snow tires. All vehicles towing trailers must have chains on one drive axle. Trailers with brakes must have chains on at least one axle.
Cross-Country
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 51
Likes: 8
[QUOTE=ForCal;18916024]I have not had my 250 long enough to try but Ive been through chain control many many times and see full size trucks without chains. I have a friend who has a 2015 F350 and has never been asked to chain up through chain control. Maybe they didn't like the tread you had or maybe it's a DRW thing.
ForCal,
It was a defining moment being stopped to learn of the weight requirement. Chaining up was only enforced cuz the inspector at the manned check station knew my F350 was over 6000 lbs, it had nothing to do with tires or being a dually. Prior to that, over the years, I had unknowingly driven through many different chain control areas that did not have manned inspection thinking that all I needed was M/S tires and four wheel drive.
ForCal,
It was a defining moment being stopped to learn of the weight requirement. Chaining up was only enforced cuz the inspector at the manned check station knew my F350 was over 6000 lbs, it had nothing to do with tires or being a dually. Prior to that, over the years, I had unknowingly driven through many different chain control areas that did not have manned inspection thinking that all I needed was M/S tires and four wheel drive.