Good tire chain for '97 Explorer 2WD?

[TonyC934]

Hi I have a '97 Explorer with 235/75-15 tires and was thinking about getting some tire chains to use this winter. I live in GA, so not much need for them, but sometimes go to the Smokies and other areas of NC where the road gets icy. I want them mainly for driving on icy paved roads...on gravel roads would be even better, but not even thinking about that primarily. And not in deep snow...just light snow and ice.

I don't know anything about tire chains but figure I would buy 2 because I can't afford 4. Would I put them on the front or rear tires? I have 2WD, RWD Explorer.

Also do I need to find chains that are explicitly compatible with "235/75-15" or is there some wiggle room there?

But any help or advice anyone could give would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[deweyville65]

Are you really serious, or is this a joke?

 

[colintrax]

^thats what I was thinking, but I guess my comment got deleted

 

[TonyC934]

Are you really serious, or is this a joke?

I'm not sure why you find tire chains such a humorous subject, but my question is sincere. Not everyone is such an incredible expert like yourself.

 

[deweyville65]

No, dont think tire chains are humerous, really thought you weren't serious.First place, on a two wheel drive, the chains go on the driveaxle. Out here, a lot of guys will run chains on the front of 4×4's in deep snow. Yes, it does snow in Az.
Secondly, the packaging the chains come in, box or bag usually, will tell you the tire sizes the chains fit.

 

[TonyC934]

Secondly, the packaging the chains come in, box or bag usually, will tell you the tire sizes the chains fit.

Yes I know that but can you adjust them to fit any other sizes? I suppose that would be risky, but just curious because I have seen some used chains on ebay and craigslist that are very inexpensive but just barely off from my tire size.

And would chains on the rear tires help enough? It seems like if the road was icy, the front tires would still be sliding around too much. I don't know that I can afford getting them for all four tires, so just trying to figure it out. Thanks for the help.

 

[deweyville65]

As someone who has driven big trucks across this country in all kinds of road conditions, including pulling doubles here in Az.around Flagstaff, I have NEVER seen, nor had the need to, chain the steer axle. Hell, I never chained the back trailer, like some have. I would hate to think what kind of problems you would run into chaining the steer axle on an Explorer. As I previously posted, some guys here will chain the front tires in DEEP snow, or maybe while plowing snow. Hell, even the state plow trucks dont chain the front axle.
Let me be really serious with you. Have you ever driven on ice? You sound like you are very young, with no experience driving on ice. My recommendation to you is, go to a parking lot and practice driving. Spin the truck around and see how it handles. Know what you can get away with. You may think I am being a smart ass, but I am truly trying to help you avoid getting into trouble on the highway. Take it from someone who wrecked, though minor, their first car on an icy road. And it was the rear that slid out on a curve, not the front.

 

[deweyville65]

Oh, and to answer your question about cutting down the chains to fit, yes you can cut them. But I recommend you get a set close to the size needed, as you could end up with either too big a gap between the cross links, or two of the cross links too close together. Either case, they will work, but the ride may not bee too comfortable.

 

[my98nnj]

I agree with dewey. Your best bet is to learn how to drive in snow and ice and how your vehicle responds. Up here in NJ, we don't use chains, just an all season tire.

What tire is mounted on your explorer? You may not need anything but a few tips on driving in snowy conditions. I'll give you the first, most useful tip.

DON'T DRIVE LIKE AN IDIOT. In other words, just because you have a truck, chains, snow tires etc. respect the snowy road, it's slippery so slow down. WAY DOWN...

 

[deweyville65]

^ Totally agree. More people should take this advice, there would be far fewer accidents.

 

[TonyC934]

I agree with dewey. Your best bet is to learn how to drive in snow and ice and how your vehicle responds. Up here in NJ, we don't use chains, just an all season tire.

What tire is mounted on your explorer? You may not need anything but a few tips on driving in snowy conditions. I'll give you the first, most useful tip.

DON'T DRIVE LIKE AN IDIOT. In other words, just because you have a truck, chains, snow tires etc. respect the snowy road, it's slippery so slow down. WAY DOWN...

I have driven on ice before and that's why I am looking into getting some tire chains. My Explorer just doesn't like icy roads for some reason and I got stuck once in some snow (on a paved road) and got lucky with some guys there to push me out. And slid around on some roads in the Smokies, etc. I was driving SLOW and couldn't do much else, and didn't slide off the road but just trying to minimize the chance of that happen.

We don't get much snow in GA, but even last year, I pulled out of my driveway into the culdesac when it was icy and tires were spinning and took me about 10 minutes to get some traction and get moving. If chains would help prevent that, then I'm interested in possibly getting some.

I have regular tires..P235/75R15 size. I could spend more money on some tires with deeper treads and designed for off road driving and such, but chains seems like they would be better for the $.

 

[rickybobby]

Tires will be a far better investment. I live in the snow belt, my area gets as much as 10' of snow a year, and i have never needed chains, not even on my 2wd chebbie, just good all season tires, proper weight in the back of the pickup, and smart driving

 

[gonenuke]

Can you drive with studed snow tires in Georgia?

 

[TonyC934]

Tires will be a far better investment. I live in the snow belt, my area gets as much as 10' of snow a year, and i have never needed chains, not even on my 2wd chebbie, just good all season tires, proper weight in the back of the pickup, and smart driving

So it's good to put extra weight in the back of the vehicle for driving on ice? I would mostly be encountering it while camping, so if this is the case, I could just move all my gear to the rear on those trips when I do run into some ice.

 

[TonyC934]

Can you drive with studed snow tires in Georgia?

I just googled it and sounds like they are allowed in GA and NC:

http://www.ehow.com/facts_5031590_law-regarding-studded-snow-tires.html

I don't think I would want to buy studded snow tires though. I will only need them maybe a handful of days a year so wouldn't want them on my vehicle the entire time. They sound expensive too.

 

[TonyC934]

Tires will be a far better investment. I live in the snow belt, my area gets as much as 10' of snow a year, and i have never needed chains, not even on my 2wd chebbie, just good all season tires, proper weight in the back of the pickup, and smart driving

I know that sometimes in the Smokies, chains are required when the roads are bad although generally they won't open the road until it is safe for all vehicles. I mainly want them for driving up there and also to Roan Mtn in NC. But also would use them after some fresh snow in GA sometimes if they really helped. I don't care if they are "overkill" as long as they work.

 

[RomeovilleIL]

Since you have a 2WD and likely have the open carrier, I would agree there are times a set of chains for the rear drive wheels would make some sense. Pretty much any set of chains sized to your tires will work for occasional light usage. Since you won't use them often and the area is not known for getting many feet of snow at a time, a set of z-chains or cable chains would probably be the best choice for ease in installation and taking off. You definitely want to practice putting on whatever chains you buy a few times in nice weather. Keep in mind you should not be going over 30 with chains on, and need to stay off of dry pavement to avoid damaging the chains. Ride will be rough but they will certainly be helpful.

 

[TonyC934]

Since you have a 2WD and likely have the open carrier, I would agree there are times a set of chains for the rear drive wheels would make some sense. Pretty much any set of chains sized to your tires will work for occasional light usage. Since you won't use them often and the area is not known for getting many feet of snow at a time, a set of z-chains or cable chains would probably be the best choice for ease in installation and taking off. You definitely want to practice putting on whatever chains you buy a few times in nice weather. Keep in mind you should not be going over 30 with chains on, and need to stay off of dry pavement to avoid damaging the chains. Ride will be rough but they will certainly be helpful.

Thank you, that sounds like good advice and I have no problem driving slow when I'm using them. But I will look for zchains and cable chains and maybe can get something and be able to enjoy more snowy/icy hikes over the winter. It's frustrating just not being able to get to the trailhead in many cases.

 

[white_shadow]

^ Totally agree. More people should take this advice, there would be far fewer accidents.

many years ago we got a bad snow storm here in central nc. i had a 2wd ranger. i made plenty of money ( charging 75$ ) pulling people out of ditches. most of the vehicles i pulled out were 4wd suv's.