Snow Chain questions...

[PNWEx]

Hey there,

So after living in the deep south for 30 years, I decided to move to the pacific northwest. Driving in snow is not completely foreign to me however, driving in deep or thick ice is. I have read a few of the posts on here about snow chains and tires. They are older posts and I would like to see if any opinions about tires and chains has changed.
Currently on the Explorer I have Goodyear Wrangler Radials p235/75r15. I know they are not the best for ice and snow but right now they will have to do this winter.
I do not plan on going off road or into deep snow. Just need to get up the mountain safely.

Do I need four chains to drive in 4x4?
Which chains are best?
If only one set of chains I put them on the back correct?
How fast can I go with chains?
I have gone up the mountain in my AWD and seen guys flying.
So any opinions or advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance guys.

 

[Josh P]

I am a truck driver, I use tire socks instead of chains. If you are going to use them, you should have them on all 4 tires.

 

[410Fortune]

You don’t need chains unless you are going back into the woods or the side roads get really nasty
A good set of winter tires will do wonders. Studs are not legal everywhere but they do make some very good studless winter tires

Your tires are everything in the winter. The snow in the pnw is unforgiving it is heavy and slushy, there is lots of ice here. Studded snows on all 4 would be the best way to proceed imo
Or good studless tires
Keep two chains in the back for emergency and be familiar with how to install

The socks are cool, I would like to try a set!

I live way back in the woods and keep two miles of
Old
Logging road open all winter so we can drive in and out. I grew up driving in the snow (high country of Colorado) I run 4 studded tires with 4wd here, and we go prepared (blankets/ water/etc)

Driver skill is half of it, tires are the other half

 

[Josh P]

You don’t need chains unless you are going back into the woods or the side roads get really nasty
A good set of winter tires will do wonders. Studs are not legal everywhere but they do make some very good studless winter tires

Your tires are everything in the winter. The snow in the pnw is unforgiving it is heavy and slushy, there is lots of ice here. Studded snows on all 4 would be the best way to proceed imo
Or good studless tires
Keep two chains in the back for emergency and be familiar with how to install

The socks are cool, I would like to try a set!

I live way back in the woods and keep two miles of
Old
Logging road open all winter so we can drive in and out. I grew up driving in the snow (high country of Colorado) I run 4 studded tires with 4wd here, and we go prepared (blankets/ water/etc)

Driver skill is half of it, tires are the other half

On a semi truck, chains give you a false sense of security. If the roads are bad enough to need chains to run, then the roads are too bad to run. Chains, if not properly installed will be loose and grab whatever is around them. I've seen a chain rip the floor open on a trailer. I like the socks cause they install in seconds and are way lighter. When it's extremely cold, I'd rather be in a warm cab.

 

[410Fortune]

Are the socks good for many many miles? Like use them over and over for years? Off road or just highway?

 

[Josh P]

Are the socks good for many many miles? Like use them over and over for years? Off road or just highway?

The ones for my truck are multiple use, good material. I've never bought a set for my car, not sure how well they'd work in the Phoenix sand. Several companies make them, I think you can get an offroad version.

 

[Mr. Alligator]

I spend the Winters in Colorado, up and down the mountains, most of the time above 10,000 feet.
The Pacific Northwest might have more icy conditions.

But my simple advice is: drive carefully, and SLOWLY. With four wheel drive, you will be among the vehicles with the better traction. But four wheel drive does not really help you turn or stop. So drive SLOW. Keep tow straps in your truck, and you will use them mostly to help other motorists. Keep blankets and some food in your truck, in case you have any trouble. Keep a cell phone charger in your truck.

Winter tires would also be helpful, if possible.

Good luck and be safe.