Tire Chains

[Essex4x4]

Winter is fast approaching here in California. Although down here in the south it never snows i go to mammoth lakes every winter. I tossed my old set of chains because they are so worn and rusty that they are no longer good. I am wondering what kind of chains do you all use, and why? Pricing, and where did you get them? I have been looking at the mud and snow chains that cabela's sells. I prefer the chain style over cables myself due to increased life and traction.

 

[corkey]

http://www.tirechain.com/TRUCK-SUV-CHAINS.HTM

try here,, it appears it is all they do,, ,

 

[Essex4x4]

WOW!!! awesome site thanks. I have seen some other people with the Diamond style chain and im wondering how much traction do you get?

i am still uncertain as to weather to go with a V style chain or a standard chain.

 

[snoborder42]

WOW!!! awesome site thanks. I have seen some other people with the Diamond style chain and im wondering how much traction do you get?

I have a set of the Quick fit diamond chains. They are awesome, super easy to put on and take off. I can get both sides done in under 10 minutes. As for traction, they work pretty damn well. Only used them once and I truly needed them, compact snow and ice and freezing rain, yeah all of those. 4x4 wouldn't help, chains were a necessity.

 

[Essex4x4]

did you do chains on all 4 tires or just the back?

 

[zonianbrat]

I was going to post up the same link. I just bought another set from them this past week. Depending on what for and how often your going to use them I think. For a few times a year you be good with standard chains (not cables). I bought the reverse link medium duty chains. They look good but I already have a set of heavy duty V-bars (badass) that I purchased for my previous truck that had 31"s. My X still has the dinky 235/75's and I am going to use them till they wear out before buying another set of 31"s. With the rubber adjusters I got the chains for 70 bucks. Good thing I bought them this past week as I found out today that the next rig I am going to be workin at requires a 4x4 just to get to it and will be alot worse during the winter.

 

[snoborder42]

did you do chains on all 4 tires or just the back?

Just the back... I didn't even put it into 4wd, didn't need it. Accelerating was fine, as was turning. Braking was a bit hairy, just needed a lot of space to do it.

 

[Essex4x4]

i think im going to go with 2 pairs of Diamond style chains from that site. Because of the fact that i have auto 4x4 i want to chain up all 4 tires.

http://www.tirechain.com/car_chaininstallationinstruction.htm

 

[snoborder42]

Seems like a good idea, I forgot that most people have Auto 4x4 now.

Anyway, I highly suggest that you put them on before you ever need to do it in the snow. Mine were a tangled mess when I got them and it would have been a royal pain in the ass to have fixed them on the side of the road.

This thread reminds me to go dig my set out of the closet and throw them in the expo, since the snow is right around the corner.

 

[Essex4x4]

Seems like a good idea, I forgot that most people have Auto 4x4 now.

Anyway, I highly suggest that you put them on before you ever need to do it in the snow. Mine were a tangled mess when I got them and it would have been a royal pain in the ass to have fixed them on the side of the road.

This thread reminds me to go dig my set out of the closet and throw them in the expo, since the snow is right around the corner.

as for putting them on, while parked on the side of the road, i know i have done it before.

wait i hope your not suggesting that i put them on when im at home. Mammoth lakes is where the snow is, and that is 330 miles away from me.

 

[snoborder42]

Nah, I was just suggesting that you try putting them on in your driveway before the snow even starts falling. When I got mine, they were a tangled mess and it took me nearly an hour to do them. And that was sitting in my parents warm and dry garage.

 

[Essex4x4]

yes, ok i see what your saying now, i agree. it depends on the situation because the snow isnt just in the driveway of the condo. I may end up putting chains on in the dark in 10F weather, so i will practice doing the new chains soon as they arrive in the mail. Havent ordered them yet im still checking other sites for prices, but i want the diamond style chain.

 

[beachthug4]

yo Essex you don’t really need to chain all 4 unless it’s really dumping. The V-bar will wear out quickly if they are not always in snow not to mention the ride (sometimes in yosemite they make you chain up a few miles before the snow). I carry plain old la clede from kragen and never had a problem on my new X or my old one when used in R3 conditions.

 

[Essex4x4]

i understand that it causes extra wear on a v bar style chain that is what i used to always run. i want diamond style chains without the v bar, to noisy. i will be putting chains on all 4 tires for two reasons, one i have auto 4x4, and two the road sucks up to my condo.