Winter is coming- which chains for rear wheels?

[Flyer]

Are any of you guys using chains (not cables)? If so, which ones have you found that are easy to use and effective? Thule has sold their chain manufacturing to someone else and I'm still trying to find a good site that sells them.

I was hoping to just keep two (for the rear) in the 4R and even though I have DuraTracs, the chains can be our extra margin of safety in case we ever get caught in a really bad storm when going skiing. I don't want to store an extra set of tires. The DuraTracs do well but if it dumbs too much snow too quickly, even they can get a bit overwhelmed.

Yes, I do drive conservatively and have driven in snow for a long time. I'd rather just have snow tires but without storage room, the chains are my next best option. I have never used chains, by the way.

 

[Lolrax]

If you didn't have Duratracs and had Blizzak DMV1s or Nokian hakkapeliitta tires you wouldn't need rear chains to be honest. I am surprised you don't run a dedicated winter tire in Denver.

 

[m85476585]

Peerles makes a wide variety of chains at a good price. Much cheaper than Thule, but a bit harder to install than some of theirs.

Traction Product Comparisons | Peerless Industrial Group

I'd get either the Z-chain or Auto-Trac based on their chart.

 

[RunnerAK]

Why not run chains on all 4 wheels, if conditions were bad enough to need them, wouldn't you want to be able to steer too? Just curious because I've never run chains, but have always used studded/snow tires for the winter, and they would be pretty useless on only 2 wheels.

 

[funken]

Why not run chains on all 4 wheels, if conditions were bad enough to need them, wouldn't you want to be able to steer too? Just curious because I've never run chains, but have always used studded/snow tires for the winter, and they would be pretty useless on only 2 wheels.

Toyota does not recommend using them in the front due to potential clearance issues.

 

[m85476585]

Why not run chains on all 4 wheels, if conditions were bad enough to need them, wouldn't you want to be able to steer too? Just curious because I've never run chains, but have always used studded/snow tires for the winter, and they would be pretty useless on only 2 wheels.

It's a good idea, and you might be able to get it to work with tight clearance cable chains on the front. I think the problem is the clearance between the tire and the spindle. There's a nub under that is close to the tire. If you put your hand behind one of the front tires on the top you can feel how little space there is.

Peerless Super Z6 would probably work, since they work for cars that are not meant to have chains. They require 6.3mm clearance. SAE class S requires 15mm. Another option is the Thule chains that don't require any inside sidewall clearance. They just clamp on the tire from the outside. Or Autosocks that look like they shouldn't work, but supposedly do.

 

[Flyer]

I did see the Autosocks but need to read some reviews. I know guys here who just run the DuraTracs in the winter as did I last year, and they are quite impressive in the snow. I'm not sure about more icy conditions though, which is why I was looking at chains. We love to head to the ski resort right before a snowstorm. I'm thinking studded will be overkill.

I'll look at some of these options. The Hakkas (1st) and the Goodyears (2nd) look good too. I have used snow tires (Generals) in the past on the Subaru and they were quite good. These tires are bigger and my garage is so tight that it would be tough to store a spare set of tires. I'd have to rearrange and get rid of things I need. Still, it is an option if I cannot get comfortable with chains.

 

[Flyer]

Oh, we don't get that much snow in the Denver area. Most of the winter is quite sunny though can be cold (not Calgary or Ohio or Chicago cold). It's the ski resorts and driving through the high passes- that is where the fun starts.

 

[funken]

Honestly, in 15 years of skiing in Colorado, I have never needed chains to go resort skiing. All seasons on an Outback and Pickup haven't let me miss a powder day yet... Including driving 8" of fresh on I-70, 30 min before they shut down the highway for 3 days! I'd only get chains if you are headed off road. Otherwise, you'll leave em in the back but will probably never use them.

I am however curious what people recommend especially for the front (some do give proper clearance).

 

[jonesmw10]

Honestly, in 15 years of skiing in Colorado, I have never needed chains to go resort skiing. All seasons on an Outback and Pickup haven't let me miss a powder day yet... Including driving 8" of fresh on I-70, 30 min before they shut down the highway for 3 days! I'd only get chains if you are headed off road. Otherwise, you'll leave em in the back but will probably never use them.

I am however curious what people recommend especially for the front (some do give proper clearance).

I'm with this.. My first winter here in CO, but not bothering with chains. Never bothered with them in Buffalo either.

 

[Flyer]

Well, I probably already have the best snow-capable tires outside of dedicated snows and they did well last year on 6"-8" of snow. I was just looking for some extra insurance. The Peerless ones looks good- especially that Z Chain, and not too expensive. I'll reevaluate this based on whether or not we will go snowshoeing again in more remote areas. I probably should carry a small shovel too.

 

[ran]

I asked the same question back in 2007 when I got my truck. They steered me toward the Super Z, never really needed them up in the Pacific North West yet.
______________________
2007 SE V6 Titanium

 

[funken]

Since, it doesn't seem like real chains will work with the stock vehicle up front, what's the burliest set that will fit in the back? I'm talking for off-road, not highway.

 

[Diamond_D]

Up in Banff / Lake Louise in February last year, I'd say about 50% of trucks had Duratracs on them - I'm guessing they wouldn't be that popular up there if they weren't pretty good in snow. There are only a handful of times each winter when there are more than a few inches of snow on the roads down here in Denver. And on the highways around here if they require chains, they're about to be shut down. For off-roading they would be useful, but the clearance issue up front seems like a big barrier.

 

[CXS]

The only need for chain here is if you're heading to a ski resort on I-70 and have bad tires. You will now be ticketed/fined for driving with inadequate tread. Otherwise forget the chains.

 

[m85476585]

Since, it doesn't seem like real chains will work with the stock vehicle up front, what's the burliest set that will fit in the back? I'm talking for off-road, not highway.

From Peerless, that would be their Auto-Trac. They are relatively cheap and readily available. You could carry a spare set, or some rubber tensioners, or some spare links, in case you break something.

You could get heavy duty chains meant for off road, but they are more specialized and harder to find. Mud chains would probably work as well off road as ones meant for snow. I don't know specifically what is available.

 

[JB.]

Are any of you guys using chains (not cables)? If so, which ones have you found that are easy to use and effective?

I was hoping to just keep two (for the rear) in the 4R and even though I have DuraTracs, the chains can be our extra margin of safety in case we ever get caught in a really bad storm when going skiing.

The reality is that you'll have them in the back and probably never use them.

For that reason, between chains and cables, I'd go cables because they're lighter and easier to store. They're also easier to install.

Ease of installation is huge. They can't do you any good if you give up trying to install them in cold, snowy weather.

I have both (Super Z LT cables, RUD chains). The chains are only for off-road recovery. For road conditions where I wanted or needed to carry a traction device, it would be cables all the way.

 

[Flyer]

Update: So we went up severel times to snowboard and twice in pretty snowy conditions. In fact, a Subaru Impreza in front of me about lost it and wagged a few times around a slick part of a road that curves around Dillon lake. I was afraid he would spin out and go into oncoming traffic. It looked like he had regular All Season tires and not particularly deep/new, though hard to tell the condition. I thought I felt a slip but it held. The DuraTracs did impressively well overall. The antilocks kicked in once at an icy intersection but I did not go past the white line, so it took maybe 6 feet longer to stop on that one occasion. I was able to accelerate faster than anyone else through slick intersections, when I tried a could of times. I generally drive conservatively.

It went through deep snow, blowing snow, icy spots, and slush with none of the drama of the previous tires I have owned on this and other 4x4 vehicles. Of all I owned the Michelin LTX M&S were prob the worst. The Hankook DynaPro ATM RF10s are decent, though not as good as the DuraTracs. I think I ran the Dayton Timberines too. Of all, the Duratracs are quite good everywhere (though not the quietest) and excellent in the snow. For our needs, they are the best ones yet.


The MTRs on the Jeep are nowhere as sure-footed in the snow (mainly much worse braking) since 4x4 really helps with the acceleration, though they blow the DTs away when offroading and aired down. Still, it is mainly the 4R when the snow hits.

Will not need chains or socks or anything, it seems. Thanks for all the information, guys.