As we head into the winter season, I was wondering if anyone out there runs a specific brand or type of chain or other design for the snow and ice.

 

I always carry two sets but never have to use them.

I don't worry about the brand just not cables.

 

PHWLEE

Here is a link to a recent thread on tire chains. See post #3 there are several links that should answer all your questions.

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/53...re+Snow+Chains

Hope this helps

 

I used to live in occasionally snowy Oregon. In the 8 years I owned my 4x4 F250 I never used the chains I bought, I still have them brand new. But then my truck was not a daily driver. I only drove it for camping or when the weather was going to be nasty.

I have driven the F250 towing a 8,000# trailer several times in snow in the mountains without chains, no problem, although I took it slow and easy most of the time. There were people in 4WD suburbans who turned around, but then I think they had little experience in snow and 4WD, or I am stupid.

On ice the truck was deadly. It would slide sideways almost while sitting still. the tires on my truck are not good traction tires, they are "city" tires, but work OK if you go easy. I think the weight of the trailer helped in traction, but caused me problems with "Push Steering", so I had to be real slow on tight turns.

I also drove 3 different cars in snowy and icy conditions. One was an 89 SHO FWD, the other was a 96 Chebby Impala SS and way back a 79 TA.

The Sho I had studded winter tires on all four. Only Once did I need the chains. That was when we had a good snowfall with freezing ice. I was one of very few vehicles on the road able to get around. The studs work well on ice most of the time, but for heavy thick ice the chains work better. All come down to how desperate I am to drive and how lazy I am about putting on the chains. Studs in rain or dry pavement give worse traction than regular tires.

The SS I drove with the stock fat tires thru snow and ice and it did surprisingly well. the key was gentle throttle, brake and steering. I was able to drive when many people were unable to start rolling. Later I bought Blizzak tires all around. They worked OK I think but are not complete protection. We had a really bad freeze and heavy snow a few years back. I and just about everyone else was unable to drive at all for maybe a week, heck took me and the dog half an hour to walk down our driveway and back with multiple falls for both of us.

When the snow thinned out enough to get down my driveway, the roads were a skating rink. The Blizzaks barely were able to keep me on the road. There was slipping if I did any thing other than straight or very slow turns. NO ONE else for miles around was on the road, so I guess they worked well enough or I am stupider than I like to think.

I also had a 79 Trans Am way back and used to go skiing in the Calif mountains. I used chains a couple times but had very little experience in snow then so maybe I did not need them if I had driven more carefully. The link chains on that car would occasionally rub on the wheel wells.

So, chains are good for when you absolutely must get around, but good snow tires, especialy with studs will get you around 99% of the time. Good street tires with chunky blocks will get you around if you drive carefully and put some weight over the drive wheels.

In my opinion, if you need chains you probably should not be driving unless you must.

Also remember, there are lots of bozos out there who think just because they have 4WD they are immune to snow. 4WD only gets you rolling, doesn't help in stopping and only helps a little in steering. Once you skid, you are in trouble.

Link chains give the best grip. Cable chains are OK but really only when you have clearance issues between the tire and wheel well.

Good Luck,

Jim Henderson

 

Cam lock Chains are the easiest to use but spendy. I let the air out of tire with wheel of ground. install chain as tight as possible. Use bolt cutters to remove all but three links past the locks. Inflate tire to 30 PSI. No snubbers or chain slap. I run at speeds around 40 miles an hour. And have not broke a cross link yet. 3 years on the set on Rusty. I replace any bad cross links before installing. Most every body in town (all 18 of us) generally have me install and repair there chains.

 

Thanks for the responses and the web links. The square chain looks like the way to go. I will go price them out. Hopefully won't have to use them though.

 

I like the diamond pattern. They have some very good grip in most situations. Costco sells the SCC chains in diamond pattern. I've used them once, but mostly because I carry a tow strap most of the time and usually don't go out alone; HOWEVER, this weekend I was looking for a tree with the family and moved out of the way of someone trying to back out of an area. I moved to the side and immediately got stuck. He backed out of the area and drove away. I went to install the chains, found it was a huge pain in the *ss when buried and then someone came by with a strap.

In Oregon you have to carry chains in the winter, it's the law, depending on what area you live. I also ran studded tires at times and they are great (hate not having them on the truck), BUT, they are no where as good as chains in heavy snow areas.

Try Costco.com and look under automotive, tires and there should be a link to the chains. They are the SCC Whitestars, just labeled differently for Costco (I've talked to a SCC rep to confirm they are the Whitestars).