Tire chains- chain vs aircraft cable type
 

I plan to drive from Vancouver BC to Palm Desert on I-5 in Dec '07 and may need chains from Grant's Pass to Mt Shasta area in N. California. Should I buy the chain type or are the aircraft cable type much better to use?

Bryan

bryana2639,

If you need them, chains work better than the cable type. The cable type where designed for cars with very little clearance between the wheel well and tire. The cables don't give anywhere near the traction or ice gripping ability that chains due. Also buy chains that are the diamond style pattern as they give better lateral control and if you can ones also that have square links as they grip better.
If you have 4WD then you want chains for all 4 wheels.

http://tirechain.com/Default.htm

Hope this helps

I second what Blackhat said... diamond patterned chains are the best.

Also, is your truck 4wd? If so, most of the time, you probably won't need chains. Most of the time, if the weather is bad enough for R3 (4wd, chains mandatory) they normally close the highway until the plows can things clear up. Might be different on I5, but that's been my experience on I80 over Donner.

However, legally I think you're supposed to have chains with you, even if you
have 4wd or awd...

Oh, and if you get chains, it's always a good idea to learn how to put them on and make sure they fit BEFORE you need to use them... trying to figure things out on the side of the freeway during a snow storm is not a lot of fun!

Thanks guys. I'll buy chain type for my F-350. Much appreciated.

Bryan

If you buy them at Les Schwab you can return them. If you only need them for that trip you can buy them on the way down and return them on the way back. They don't close I-5 as often in Oregon as they do in California. Seems if it starts snowing in California they start thinking about closing the freeway, whereas in Oregon it seems there has to be considerable snow that the plows just can't handle before the road closes. And yes, it's a legal requirement to have them in your vehicle in Oregon in certain portions of the state (incl I-5 through parts of Oregon), so make sure you buy what fits. Diamond patterns works well.

One other thing, certain tires themselves are considered traction devices (BFG AT in certain sizes), so if you have the right tires you may not need to purchase chains. However, chains work better than traction tires alone.

Nor Cal. I-5 corridor
 

(just my 2cents)

Chains are extremly heavy compared to the cables.
Cables have much less traction ability than chains.
However being on I-5 I doubt you will ever need them.
You are basically in Northern California where they will plow and sand the road. If it gets worse than that they usually just shut it down due to blizzard like conditions but this region is not like the midwest or equiv.where you are trying to break through ice to grip asphalt.

Another issue is cost, chains are the real deal and so are your tire size!
these will run buck$ compared to whimpy cables.

I've never needed chains or cables before on main interstate travel.
However only One knows what will happen to the weather on I-5 in Dec of '07?

Furthermore, When you make your decision on Chains, make sure you aren't in the near-future market for a different tire size.

Thanks so much for your replies. This is a great site. I think I can get a set for $75 so it is cheap insurance even tho I may never use them. I'll check out Les Schwab also as I live close to Bellingham WA. I-5 was a mess there last winter - 20mph max - and they never plowed it that I could see. I'm sure N. California will be better. Thx again.
B.
2000 F-350, V-10 hauling a 25' 5th wheel

If your pulling your 5th wheel at the time, you'll need a set of chains/cables for one axle on the trailer. It keeps the trailer behind you when braking.

Personally, if I was heading that way, and they required chains going over the Siskuis (sp?), I'd turn off on I-199 at Grants Pass and drop over to Hwy 101 and run it down to the Valleo area.

Good luck

And in case ya didn't know- Kalifornia rates chain requirements at different levels, based on how bad the roads are. With 4wd, you still need to HAVE them, but don't need them on until a certain rating.

BTW, is you only have one pair- did you know, contrary to popular belief, they go on the rear, not the front? (Me, if I was gonna drive in conditions that messy; I'd get 4 anyway).

Get 4 chains. Better off having too much (overkill) than not enough.