winter chains
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
Joined
·
132 Posts
Thule makes a bunch. They have a lot of customers who use other winter products like ski and snowboard racks, so they started building snow chains to go with them. They cover a lot of higher end makes with narrower tire profiles that chains weren't always available for.
There's also Pewag. They build tire chains for a huge range of vehicles from passenger vehicles to agricultural applications even heavy duty earth movers and dump trucks. They build them for snow/ice traction, mud/sand/soft soil traction, and tire protection chains for rocky/harsh/hot surfaces.
There are other good manufacturers out there, but those are a couple of the big players.
If you like, post up the tire size and I can provide a list of chains from either or both of those two manufacturers that will work.
There's also Pewag. They build tire chains for a huge range of vehicles from passenger vehicles to agricultural applications even heavy duty earth movers and dump trucks. They build them for snow/ice traction, mud/sand/soft soil traction, and tire protection chains for rocky/harsh/hot surfaces.
There are other good manufacturers out there, but those are a couple of the big players.
If you like, post up the tire size and I can provide a list of chains from either or both of those two manufacturers that will work.
Joined
·
55 Posts
Thule makes great stuff, but they are also pretty expensive.
I found these out on Amazon, and they seemed to get pretty good reviews:
Security Chain Company Super Z6, SZ143, Cable Chain for Passenger Cars, Pickups & SUVs - Set of 2
http://www.amazon.com/Security-Company- ... UJ5NNJ99PW
I found these out on Amazon, and they seemed to get pretty good reviews:
Security Chain Company Super Z6, SZ143, Cable Chain for Passenger Cars, Pickups & SUVs - Set of 2
http://www.amazon.com/Security-Company- ... UJ5NNJ99PW
Joined
·
55 Posts
I can't think of any reason you couldn't use cables. They generally require less clearance than chains do.
I've looked at tire chains (cables), and have come to the conclusion that I don't think they would be a good fit for me.
#1. You can't drive over 35mph when you have them on.
#2. The streets HAVE to have snow on them, or you rip them (the chains/cables) up pretty fast (and in Iowa, get a ticket).
#3. They are loud.
#4. Putting them on/taking them off is still a bit of pain even with the new quick connect ones.
In Des Moines, the road crews get the snow off the road pretty quick. We just don't get enough/severe enough (other than maybe last winter) snow storms to really make it worth while. If you live in Colorado (or any high snow areas), they would make more sense I am sure. In some parts of Colorado, I think they are mandatory.
So, after watching a lot of videos, and reading a lot of blogs, I think I am going to save up for some "winter" rims, and get some of those new Blizzaks or Michellin X-Ice Snow Tires. From what I can tell, they get better traction than even studded snow tires (special rubber compunds) and I can put them Dec 1st, take them off April 1st and get several years use out of the set. The initial expense however of the Rims, TPMS etc is the huge drawback. Looking at about $1400 for the rims, tires, TPMS sensors and tool, stemming, balancing and mounting.
There's some great video's out on YouTube from TireRack showing the differences between Summer/All Season/Studded and Winter Tire performance on an ice rink that I thought was pretty interesting.
I've looked at tire chains (cables), and have come to the conclusion that I don't think they would be a good fit for me.
#1. You can't drive over 35mph when you have them on.
#2. The streets HAVE to have snow on them, or you rip them (the chains/cables) up pretty fast (and in Iowa, get a ticket).
#3. They are loud.
#4. Putting them on/taking them off is still a bit of pain even with the new quick connect ones.
In Des Moines, the road crews get the snow off the road pretty quick. We just don't get enough/severe enough (other than maybe last winter) snow storms to really make it worth while. If you live in Colorado (or any high snow areas), they would make more sense I am sure. In some parts of Colorado, I think they are mandatory.
So, after watching a lot of videos, and reading a lot of blogs, I think I am going to save up for some "winter" rims, and get some of those new Blizzaks or Michellin X-Ice Snow Tires. From what I can tell, they get better traction than even studded snow tires (special rubber compunds) and I can put them Dec 1st, take them off April 1st and get several years use out of the set. The initial expense however of the Rims, TPMS etc is the huge drawback. Looking at about $1400 for the rims, tires, TPMS sensors and tool, stemming, balancing and mounting.
There's some great video's out on YouTube from TireRack showing the differences between Summer/All Season/Studded and Winter Tire performance on an ice rink that I thought was pretty interesting.
Joined
·
5,826 Posts
As i stated in another post,Read your owners manual.I read mine 04 limited that it is not a good idea to just put chains on 2 tires when u have a 4wd or awd system.That it will cause damage to the transaxle....... :shrug: ..cause i read that people were just putting chains on front tires...According to OM it's not a good idea, only to use them on all 4 tires..
Further reading it said that it will cause the back end to come around and slip on ya if u just put chains on front tires..transaxle should be ok... :thumb:
Further reading it said that it will cause the back end to come around and slip on ya if u just put chains on front tires..transaxle should be ok... :thumb:
Back in '05 the 4WD system on Escapes was changed. That's why there are different instructions from Ford regarding chains. But anywas I didn't see RUD mentioned in this thread. I've liked their chains. They're from Europe but also make low cost chains in China too.jbone2470 said:
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
