Tire Chains
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< Samantha...my Co-Pilot
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 768
Likes: 11
From: Fallon, Nevada
Tire Chains
I am considering buying some tire chains...I was womdering if anyone can make a recommendation on what works good with the Excursion (I am going to use them for my F-250 SD CC also). Should I go chain or cable...what wears better...easy to put on and take off(for wife)...any input will be much appreciated....thanks....Ken.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: CA
a little help...
No one's responding!!??
I'll chip in. Get the cables. There's no one particular brand I know of that stands out. Get the kind that just slips together and tightens with a strap. putting on all the stupid little clips can be annoying. Drive a few dozen yards and retighten. Chains would be WAAYY too heavy, cumbersome, and difficult for your wife to put on. If she's in conditions where chains would be better than cables, odds are the authorities won't let her go anyway. Cables are quieter. Let you go faster. Good ones are less likely to come apart. and if they do, will cause less damage than if chains fail (goodby fender).
But to be perfectly honest, I have NEVER put cables on the X. I have been let thru CA HWY 88 when it was closed to all traffic because the CHP liked the trucks setup. I have been thru 8" of fresh snow at 50 mph with no thought of putting on cables. 137" wheelbase, 35" Xterrains, 4WD, 10,000 GVW with family and gear...cables? We don't need no stinking cables!
I'll chip in. Get the cables. There's no one particular brand I know of that stands out. Get the kind that just slips together and tightens with a strap. putting on all the stupid little clips can be annoying. Drive a few dozen yards and retighten. Chains would be WAAYY too heavy, cumbersome, and difficult for your wife to put on. If she's in conditions where chains would be better than cables, odds are the authorities won't let her go anyway. Cables are quieter. Let you go faster. Good ones are less likely to come apart. and if they do, will cause less damage than if chains fail (goodby fender).
But to be perfectly honest, I have NEVER put cables on the X. I have been let thru CA HWY 88 when it was closed to all traffic because the CHP liked the trucks setup. I have been thru 8" of fresh snow at 50 mph with no thought of putting on cables. 137" wheelbase, 35" Xterrains, 4WD, 10,000 GVW with family and gear...cables? We don't need no stinking cables!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,188
Likes: 87
From: Olympic Peninsula
For on road, cables. For off road give me chain.
I think it would have to be really bad to need chains on the road. I drove over the passes in Washington state many times in 4x4 without chains when the cars had chains required and never had a problem. Might be different in your area. I can't imagine my wife putting even cable chains on our Excursion. She would stop and get a room.....
Good luck.
Pat
I think it would have to be really bad to need chains on the road. I drove over the passes in Washington state many times in 4x4 without chains when the cars had chains required and never had a problem. Might be different in your area. I can't imagine my wife putting even cable chains on our Excursion. She would stop and get a room.....
Good luck.
Pat
Senior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 291
Likes: 0
From: Rocky Mountains
I just found out that my '05 F350 is an "S" class vehicle when it comes to chains. The "S" apparently means that the clearance between tire and truck parts (?brake lines) are similar to passenger vehicles and require a low-profile chain or cable. I couldn't believe it so I looked all over the net and it's true. And as luck would have it, all the "S" class chains cost about 3x as much as regular old tire chains.
I hope not too many people figure this out AFTER they lose their brakes.
I hope not too many people figure this out AFTER they lose their brakes.
New User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
It's been 10 years since I drove a truck with chains, maybe newer chains are different. I remember lots of body damage occured WHEN (not if) part of the chain would break and smack repeatedly around the wheel well. I wouldn't put chains on any of my good trucks and doubtfully on my beaters.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 867
Likes: 0
From: Fairbanks, Alaska
Jake here's my two cents...
Cable chains are easier to put on and take off (for your wife) and less expensive than chain types. But they don't wear as long.
Chains are tougher and will get you out of worse situations but when they break they can really mess up your Ex's body panels.
If your wife is just going to use them to get around on pavement in bad weather, get the cables. But then I would wonder what she is doing out in weather like that.
Cable chains are easier to put on and take off (for your wife) and less expensive than chain types. But they don't wear as long.
Chains are tougher and will get you out of worse situations but when they break they can really mess up your Ex's body panels.
If your wife is just going to use them to get around on pavement in bad weather, get the cables. But then I would wonder what she is doing out in weather like that.
