Tire chain recommendations for 2013 Explorer base model

[talion]

I live in Canada, on the west coast, although I grew up back east and have mountains of experience driving in snow. Where I live now there is never a need for winter tires on a day-to-day basis, and so buying winter tires is not practical when measured against the cost. I drive on all-season tires at the moment. I do occasionally want to get into the mountains and even this usually doesn't require anything beyond the abilities of the vehicle on decent all-seasons, unless there's been a recent large snowstorm. In this case chains can sometimes be mandatory. Snow tires alone mean that you go back home and wait for another day.

In the 2013 Explorer manual it recommends that you only use cable style traction aids. There doesn't seem to be any obvious reason for this, as the clearance appears to be more than sufficient for chains, which I prefer as they give better bite on ice. For my purposes they're more practical than cables, and I'm very comfortable installing and using chains, and the extra weight isn't a big deal for me, nor are they any harder to install than cables for me.

Since the use of the chains is only occasional I want to get decent chains for a non-exorbitant price. If the past is any indication they might get used 6-12 times over the lifetime of the car. I bought a set of Peerless chains on sale that were supposed to be fitted for the tires (245/65R17) and I tried to install them right then and there in the parking lot. There were not of a proper size for the tire (I've run into this in the past and now I put chains on without delay to test the fit. I'm confident of this. I've been installing chains since I was a child because my father is a mechanic) and so I returned them. Since stores often have a no-return policy on chains I'm wary about too much experimentation, and I'm a bit concerned about the manual recommendation, although I haven't been able to get a straight answer from anyone on that yet and there do seem to be people using chains on their Explorers.

What has everyone here been using? I'm assuming that there must be drivers here that have purchased chains and have already measured the fit, so any brand names would be appreciated. Anyone that can offer insight into the manual recommendation would be great as well. I didn't see where there would be interference in terms of clearance or the brake lines on my vehicle.

 

[peterk9]

I live in Canada, on the west coast, although I grew up back east and have mountains of experience driving in snow. Where I live now there is never a need for winter tires on a day-to-day basis, and so buying winter tires is not practical when measured against the cost. I drive on all-season tires at the moment. I do occasionally want to get into the mountains and even this usually doesn't require anything beyond the abilities of the vehicle on decent all-seasons, unless there's been a recent large snowstorm. In this case chains can sometimes be mandatory. Snow tires alone mean that you go back home and wait for another day.

In the 2013 Explorer manual it recommends that you only use cable style traction aids. There doesn't seem to be any obvious reason for this, as the clearance appears to be more than sufficient for chains, which I prefer as they give better bite on ice. For my purposes they're more practical than cables, and I'm very comfortable installing and using chains, and the extra weight isn't a big deal for me, nor are they any harder to install than cables for me.

Since the use of the chains is only occasional I want to get decent chains for a non-exorbitant price. If the past is any indication they might get used 6-12 times over the lifetime of the car. I bought a set of Peerless chains on sale that were supposed to be fitted for the tires (245/65R17) and I tried to install them right then and there in the parking lot. There were not of a proper size for the tire (I've run into this in the past and now I put chains on without delay to test the fit. I'm confident of this. I've been installing chains since I was a child because my father is a mechanic) and so I returned them. Since stores often have a no-return policy on chains I'm wary about too much experimentation, and I'm a bit concerned about the manual recommendation, although I haven't been able to get a straight answer from anyone on that yet and there do seem to be people using chains on their Explorers.

What has everyone here been using? I'm assuming that there must be drivers here that have purchased chains and have already measured the fit, so any brand names would be appreciated. Anyone that can offer insight into the manual recommendation would be great as well. I didn't see where there would be interference in terms of clearance or the brake lines on my vehicle.

Welcome to the Forum talion. :wavey:
Very few people use the term 'snow tires' anymore because it is very misleading. Winter tires is the term I see used more often. The problem arises when people begin to believe that you need them only for snow, which is largely incorrect. So called 'all season tires' begin to lose grip at 44 degrees F (7 degrees C). So on bare pavement/asphalt at temps off 44 and below you need Winter tires for optimum traction. Because of their different rubber compounds they provide superior traction, not only in snow but on bare roads as well.
As for chains, I believe there was a discussion on that about a year ago.
Here are two threads you may want to check out;

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=329730&highlight=chains

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=336838&highlight=chains

Peter

 

[corkey]

http://tirechain.com/car_chaininstallationinstruction.htm

http://tirechain.com/TRUCK-SUV-CHAINS.HTM#Select your tire size

 

[Dr Plastic]

The difference between cables and chains are vibration. Larger trucks have heavy duty tires and suspension systems and body structure. So they can take the pounding chains can produce. Car on the other hand have lighter duty suspension systems so cable type traction systems are better suited for these. After surviving three winters in Fairbanks, AK I had both on the same vehicle ('84 Camaro) and can tell you that when I had the chains on it felt like the car was going to come apart. Cables on the other hand was much more smoother.

 

[talion]

Peter, thanks for your replies, but they weren't applicable to my question. I do not need winter tires, as I mentioned in my post. I do not live in "winter" conditions until such time as I go into the mountains. As for the links I don't have 20" tires (17", per my OP) and don't need to measure the value of winter tires against all-seasons. I'm aware of the difference, but once again I don't need winter tires.

Corkey, thanks as well, but I could probably literally install chains blindfolded, so the primer isn't what I was looking for. I also know that I could just use my tire size to purchase chains, but as my prior experience has proven to me again and again not all chains designated as fitting your tire size truly do so well. Tire size, even two equivalently marked sizes, can sometimes vary, and chain sizes frequently do, which is why some of the best advice out there (and which I follow religiously) is to try the chains as soon as you've bought them to make sure they actually do fit. I've already tried one set that didn't fit and am hoping to avoid some of that hassle by picking all of your brains to find things that have already been tried and true by Explorer owners.

Dr. Plastic, thanks for your input too. As I mentioned in the OP I prefer chains to cables for their bite in ice. I am not looking for cables, and am specifically looking for recommendations on chains which suit the Explorer well. I am wondering whether anyone might specifically have experience with the Thule or Laclede chains with respect to this issue, but I;d be happy to hear any other recommendations as well.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Dr Plastic]

Chains systems are not recommended for vehicles with strut type suspensions due to tire sidewall to strut clearances. You need 1-2 inches clearance between the tire and the strut to prevent the chains from damaging the strut.

 

[Dr Plastic]

Plus due to the base of the spring seat being less than 2" above the tire the chains with their added mass will flail outwards and contact the spring seats. I saw this kind of damage all the time at the Auto craft shop I worked at on base.

 

[talion]

Clearance is more than sufficient for comfortable installation, although clearly if the chain link breaks then you will need to immediately stop and remove the chains. Of course, the same thing applies for cable traction aids, so from a practical standpoint I see little difference aside from whatever the difference of degree of whatever initial banging there might be if something breaks. It typically shouldn't be too serious if you're maintaining the low speeds you should be driving when using chains anyway.

With that being said, I'm willing to overlook the difference in risk and don't truly wish to engage in a debate about it. I understand the difference and philosophically am prepared to accept the slight added risk. So, with that in mind is there someone who can and will direct me with regards to my specific question from the OP? Thanks all for your input.

 

[talion]

is there no one actively using tire chains on their vehicles?

 

[talion]

will try it one more time.

 

[michael_jp]

I have a 2011 FWD XLT (18" tire) and planning to purchase and use SCC Super Z6, SZ435, Cable Chain.
Since I only go to Sierra ski resort for a couple of times in a year, I guess this will be enough.