Tire chains or studs?

GrantK

GrantK

New member
It’s that time of year already. Here in CO, commercial vehicles must carry chains as of Sept. 1st and if there is snow they may be required for any vehicle, passenger vehicles may be exempted on DOT worker approval (based on having 4wd and tire type).

No this isn’t another which winter tire to get but if I should get chains and just go with my MT tires or get Blizzaks with chains and have them studded. Either tire will need chains out here, the MTs because they will tend to float on the snow and the Blizzaks in case I encounter a DOT work in a bad mood. The issue here is almost always snow, seldom ice unless you encounter hard pack on a gravel road.

So I need to decide if I should get chains for my 285/70-17 Nitto Trail Grappler M/T or get a set of 5 Blizzaks and either have them studded and get a set of chains or just get a set of chains for them.

Any opinions from people living in snow country? 
 
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Didn't you mention you have like 7 miles on your T4R because you work from home? Get a set of chains that will last near forever, that will always be available.
 
Titanpat57 said:
Chains...why ruin a set of tires with studs?
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Well chains will ruin a set of tires if used for anything but a brief stint up a snowbound pass.

and besides, studs wear down...chains don't.
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So where does one get these adamantium chains? :wink2:

Anyhow for my money, in real winter territory (Edmonton as you can see from my profile), studs all the way.

I'm getting a nice set of Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 SUV studded for my new 4Runner. They have a bit of a stud retraction technology that helps with wear and handling on hard surfaces. That said I've had much cheaper studded and not seen significant wear, nor had handling issues, over 5 winters.

Reviews everywhere but a good one to start with:

http://www.auto123.com/en/auto-parts/top-5-winter-tires-for-truckssuvs-in-2011?artid=136980

If you seriously don't think you will see much ice (really?) then perhaps non studded. Hakkas are still on top here IMHO but your choice is wider.
 
You will never be stopped (by the police or CDOT) if you have snow rated tires. With studs, absolutely never stopped. A super siped tire like a blizzak will grip our snow great. Studs will bite into the black ice that we get on 93. They could stop you with MTs since they are not snow rated. I have snow rated ATs but carry chains.

With snow tires and/or studded snows, you can travel faster. Especially with patchy snow. Chains will get you thru deeper snow but you will have to travel slower and there is always the chance of them coming loose and damaging the rig. There also is the nuisance of putting them on in the cold, it can suck.

If I was a skier and drove the mountains a lot in the winter, I would go with a tire like the Blizzak.

Personally, the best setup is studded snows with chains, just in case.

Studs will reduce grip on wet roads.
 
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WCVanHorne said:
Well chains will ruin a set of tires if used for anything but a brief stint up a snowbound pass.



So where does one get these adamantium chains? :wink2:

Anyhow for my money, in real winter territory (Edmonton as you can see from my profile), studs all the way.

I'm getting a nice set of Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 SUV studded for my new 4Runner. They have a bit of a stud retraction technology that helps with wear and handling on hard surfaces. That said I've had much cheaper studded and not seen significant wear, nor had handling issues, over 5 winters.

Reviews everywhere but a good one to start with:

http://www.auto123.com/en/auto-parts/top-5-winter-tires-for-truckssuvs-in-2011?artid=136980

If you seriously don't think you will see much ice (really?) then perhaps non studded. Hakkas are still on top here IMHO but your choice is wider.
Click to expand...

well I'm assuming most people have enough damn sense to not drive on dry roads roads with chains on....

but I've been wrong before:bash:

I think bottom line is, if your out in weather driving that's so bad your 4wheel aint cutting it...you are at the very least up to a chaining up.
 
Titanpat57 said:
I think bottom line is, if your out in weather driving that's so bad your 4wheel aint cutting it...you are at the very least up to a chaining up.
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If I get stuck in my 4runner with studded winter tires, I won't be able to chain up... because I'll be on my roof. :lookout:
 
Isn't the Goodyear Duratrac Mountain Snowflake rated? Winter Tech - How to Confirm a Winter Performer

I'd think the Duratracs with the RUD chains as backup would have been a good year round option.

Tire Chains - Snow Chains

Since you already have your Nitto Trail MT, might as well go for some dedicated winter blizzaks.

I have only driven in CO mountains during snow a few times. During most recent time, I was ok with stock F150 rental and whatever the AT tires were. Michelin I recall in 265 size. There was a lot of snow in some sections of the trip. However, the worst part was once out of the major snow and into just the black slick roads that may or may not be ice at any given time. The road had old, weak road paint and the truck lights were so lousy I stopped to check to see if they were really on or just DRL's. Seeing where the road and lanes were was scary. During the snow sections, Semi trucks were putting on chains and it looked like a huge chore.
 
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If you live and drive in snow all winter, studs hands down!! I had a set for 5 winters, well worth it! It's hard finding a 285 with studs, besides duratracs.
 
Casper421 said:
Blizzaks are "studless" winter tires. Their soft compound grips like studs, therefore no Blizzaks are studdable.
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+1. Blizzaks are a great tire, I took many snowboard and winter camping trips without problems in a FWD vehicle. Also, I lived in CO for 25+ years and was never once stopped for chains or a tire check. They really only check commercial vehicles, and even that is limited.
 
Petromaniac said:
+1. Blizzaks are a great tire, I took many snowboard and winter camping trips without problems in a FWD vehicle. Also, I lived in CO for 25+ years and was never once stopped for chains or a tire check. They really only check commercial vehicles, and even that is limited.
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Yup. That. Born and raised here in CO and never needed chains other than RWD vehicles going over passes in the "old days".

When the Chain Law is in effect, which you of course hear all over the radio or see on today's fancy digital highway signs, it is clearly stated "commercial vehicles and cars without 'adequate' snow tires" (to paraphrase).

Of course today, with the massive clogging of people from CA, etc, who have decided CO is now the cool place to be (especially Boulder) and have contributed to the disaster that is now our highways and byways, and have brought with them some real s**t driving attitude...we see some amazing stuff during bad weather. Real WTF moments for sure. Sorry, don't get me started.

Yeah, Blizzaks are fantastic. High tech chains are great too but prob overkill. Certainly for the VAST majority of situations...and in a 4Runner. Really?

Of course, the old adage "4WD does not mean 4-wheel 'stop', applies in a big way to the big meats with all of the surface area.

My 02.
 
I think, for this year, I'll just get a set of chains for the Nittos and see how things work out. Then decide next winter if I should get the Blizzaks or not. Being part of emergency services, I need to get through in all but a blizzard that shuts down everything. Even then I'll probably already be at a shelter helping out when they pull the plows off the roads anyway.

Thanks everyone.
 
GrantK said:
I think, for this year, I'll just get a set of chains for the Nittos and see how things work out. Then decide next winter if I should get the Blizzaks or not. Being part of emergency services, I need to get through in all but a blizzard that shuts down everything. Even then I'll probably already be at a shelter helping out when they pull the plows off the roads anyway.

Thanks everyone.
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Good idea Grant. You're talking another set of possible scenarios in your case versus those of us who only head up when we'd like.

There are some pretty cool chain/cable setups these days and are not that big a deal to put-on...especially on a rig with some good clearances like the 4Runner.

Good luck.
 
Casper421 said:
Blizzaks are "studless" winter tires. Their soft compound grips like studs, therefore no Blizzaks are studdable.
Click to expand...

Basically all winter tires these days have the similar advanced compounds to keep them flexible and aid with gripping the ice regardless of their ability to accept studs. Most "ice" tires achieve their grip from advanced microsiping and actually a large contact area and smaller lugs (which work against them in the snow). Many winter tires come unstudded and you get the installer to put in the studs. The Hakkas have a fancier stud system so they need to be factory ordered with or without. The only real reason the Blizzaks weren't designed with some lugs for studs is market demand. No soft compound "grips like studs" in the literal sense; although there is some walnut shell tires around that might get you part way there.
 
Coming from the PNW and having driven through lots of snow or ice for about 10+ years, I never used Blizzaks until the year before i moved to Tucson. After driving with regular tires in those situations and then having to chain up I wish I had the Blizzak knowledge a long time ago, those tires are just ridiculously sticky and handle snow and ice like a champ. I just sold a set that had less then 1700 miles on them since I got them just before I moved but if I'm ever in a climate like that again I will never chain up I'll just fork over the dough for a quality set of Blizzaks.
 
Missing the West already.....

You guys are killing me.... The thought of snow and skiing and just being in Colorado for this winter is making me quite home sick! I have moved out East successfully as of two days ago and still have my STUDED Duratrac's on from last winter. I know, I know, its illegal in many states and blah, blah blah....... its bad for this, that and the other; though I will say the Duratrac tire is a good choice for a winter tire and the $60 option (at discount tire) to have them studded is not really worth it. Experiencing some "black ice" and ice in general last winter with these tires I noticed there traction to be as equal as a non-studded tire. I would PERSONALLY rate the DMV-1 Blizzaks (tire choice the previous winter) as the best tire for a snow and ice driving due to there softer compound (better in colder weather and ICE) than the Duratrac's for example. As an all-round tire you really can’t beat the Wrangler DuraTrac's

If I were back in Colorado this winter (sniff, sniff) I would probably go with the DMV-1's again over the DuraTrac's and then switch to an AT/MT tire for the summer. Just sharing my tire encounter's and experience.....

Have a fantastic winter Colorado.... And find me an excuse to come back! :)
 
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With all that said. Can someone recommend a Tire Chain brand they have used that performs well and has lasted a long time? :thanks:
 
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