Recommended Snow Chains

[5thToy]

I have Peerless Auto-Tracs as well. I've only used them on rural, unplowed roads to make sure I know how to put them on. Work just fine.

For the OP. I live in Reno and make the trip over the hill to CA regularly. I carry chains because CHP requires them. In my experience, those mountain roads usually go from "chains required on all vehicles except 4WD with snow tires" to "closed to all traffic". If the roads are open and call for chains on everything, you probably don't want to be out there anyway. I have never had to put them on.

 

[CutthroatSlam]

So what do you recommend for chains that are easy to install?

Already posted them. They are easy to install. I can install both chains in less than 10 minutes. The cam tensioners are superior. Go with standard cross chains (not the diamond design of those Peerless) and you can easily replace worn or broken cross chains.

As someone else posted, they either have 80 open or they close it when enough drivers dump their fast food drink ice onto the highway.

 

[Fire3008]

Snow Chain Practice first!

Make sure the first time you are using the chains is not in a foot of snow in a ditch! Figuring them out on a dry driveway is much easier. I run the auto trac chains for light snow and ice. Watch those cables when you flip the bail on the tightener, They snap closed pretty violently.

When we get deep snow i switch to full ladder link vbar chains. Working in Colorado at 10,000 feet every day and driving on un plowed forest service roads can be a challenge. I run General Grabber AT with studs in the winter.

Driving past the Jeep guys stuck on the hill with 35" mud tires is fun too. They seem to spend the trip winching each other to the top of each hill. The nice concerned warning, "you should stop here there are 6 jeeps stuck on the hill" and I drive right by all of them. I have offered to help but what could I possibly offer in a little 4 Runner or a TACO.

 

[kaitlyn2004]

Make sure the first time you are using the chains is not in a foot of snow in a ditch! Figuring them out on a dry driveway is much easier. I run the auto trac chains for light snow and ice. Watch those cables when you flip the bail on the tightener, They snap closed pretty violently.

When we get deep snow i switch to full ladder link vbar chains. Working in Colorado at 10,000 feet every day and driving on un plowed forest service roads can be a challenge. I run General Grabber AT with studs in the winter.

Driving past the Jeep guys stuck on the hill with 35" mud tires is fun too. They seem to spend the trip winching each other to the top of each hill. The nice concerned warning, "you should stop here there are 6 jeeps stuck on the hill" and I drive right by all of them. I have offered to help but what could I possibly offer in a little 4 Runner or a TACO.

If you're driving on an unplowed FSR, vbar chains or not aren't you most likely to have a ground clearance issue, where the snow will just be too high and you'll become a snowplow of sorts?

 

[?????]

This is what I keep in the back when chains are required

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Along with these

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[CutthroatSlam]

This is what I keep in the back when chains are required

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Along with these

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Both of these ^^^ will do the job.

 

[jp.vegas]

I have a set of RUD Grip 4x4 chains, have had them for years and years. Probably used them two or three times, but they worked when needed.

Lots of good choices out there, but make sure the materials are up to the task. Plastic...probably not it in this instance.

 

[CutthroatSlam]

The worst possible choice are those cable chains. Had someone (renter) turn down the wrong driveway next to our home at Big Bear lake. Driving a Taco with cable chains and got stuck at the bottom of the drive below a steep section that was solid ice. He came to my door begging to be towed out. I checked out the situation and passed on helping them because of the ice. I advised him to flag down the guy plowing drives with a large Caterpillar to yank him out.

 

[the_economist]

I can tell by just looking at these chains, they are not hardened. Also the connecting chain between diagonal cross chains is wasted space as it provides no traction. The red tightening ring chain appears to be plastic. I checked on the price and they sell them at Walmart for $94. Trust me, you get what you pay for. From a site that recommended OEM Oil and fluids only, OEM filters and Spark Plugs, then recommends this junk makes no sense. The OP asked for recommendations on a "good set of chains." These do not fit that description, but they are supposedly easy to install. These chains will work well when kept in the trunk.

The way forums work is people who have actually bought and field tested products recommend them based on real-world experience. Not making uninformed criticisms of other peoples recommendations for products you clearly have never bought or used.

In this case, you clearly don’t own a pair of these chains — you’re just looking at a website description and making silly claims about them from your couch in SoCal.

For one, I have use these chains on 275 KO2s for three seasons, and I’ve driven >5 miles in ice on Highway 50 in them, they are proven tough in practice. Also, the tightening ring is polymer, just like the bottom half of a Glock pistol, not plastic. As far as them being “hardened” steel, you can read the product description for the exact specs on why these are lighter than traditional steel chains but retain strength. And you can also read the design specs behind the diamond pattern.

Just because you paid three times as much for an inferior solution doesn’t mean you should be butt hurt and slam other peoples recommendations on the forum.

 

[CutthroatSlam]

The way forums work is people who have actually bought and field tested products recommend them based on real-world experience. Not making uninformed criticisms of other peoples recommendations for products you clearly have never bought or used.

In this case, you clearly don’t own a pair of these chains — you’re just looking at a website description and making silly claims about them from your couch in SoCal.

For one, I have use these chains on 275 KO2s for three seasons, and I’ve driven >5 miles in ice on Highway 50 in them, they are proven tough in practice. Also, the tightening ring is polymer, just like the bottom half of a Glock pistol, not plastic. As far as them being “hardened” steel, you can read the product description for the exact specs on why these are lighter than traditional steel chains but retain strength. And you can also read the design specs behind the diamond pattern.
Just because you paid three times as much for an inferior solution doesnÂ’t mean you should be butt hurt and slam other peoples recommendations on the forum.

Please note that I was addressing the differences in the suggested products and not making a personal attack or condemnation of your purchases. Obviously, you took it personally and are trying to rationalize YOUR purchase by making personal attacks on me and you're lecturing me on how forums work?

Just a week ago I drove from Missoula to Butte through 3" of snow over ice and I never even used chains. This was the start of our trip from our ranch in Stevensville, Montana to our home in Fullerton, California. We also have a home on Big Bear Lake, which is at 6,750' elevation and regularly sees snow, sometimes up to 2' of snow. Several times I have driven the length of Utah in snow up to 1' deep, ending just above St. George. I have driven from Montana to St. George in snow conditions. We're not talking about 5 miles. So your "SoCal Couch potato" attack is entirely inaccurate as are all your other claims. This includes your comparison of a plastic (polymer) Glock Lower to a plastic (polymer) retaining chain on a set of tire chains because the uses and forces are entirely different. It does not take an engineering degree to know that a polymer gun lower held in a hand sees nowhere near the forces that a polymer retainer chain sees from cross chains grabbing at pavement under several hundred ft lbs of torque from a truck. And for the record: "The Glock's frame, magazine body, and several other components are made from a high-strength nylon -based polymer invented by Gaston Glock, called Polymer 2. This plastic was specially formulated to provide increased durability and is more resilient than carbon steel and most steel alloys." Let's look at the definition of resilient: "(of a substance or object) able to recoil or spring back into shape after bending, stretching, or being compressed." Hmmm, sounds just like the plastic I'd want to see on a set of snow chains.

The OP wanted recommendations for GOOD chains and I and others provided that. You bought the cheap chains presumably because they are easy to install and they got you through 5 miles on highway 50. The OP is now fully informed and can make his own decisions. Enjoy your 5 mile drive in snow every couple years, I'm sure it's a nail biting yarn you spin to family and friends around the dinner table.

 

[MaddoxPics]

Drop the tire pressure and put it in Lo. I carry a cheap pair I found online to "show" in the event needed. They'll close the highway down before requiring you to put them on.