Tire Chains

[carringb]

Originally Posted by dhally

I have used Les Schwab quick-fit chains on our cars with some success. They might be a little light duty for a van, but they sure are easy to install/remove. The ends are color coded so even an idiot can't screw them up.

I use Les Schwab Qhick fits on my van. Regular on the front, and HD on the rear (tried regular on the rear while towing, and broke some links). They have held up very well, even when towing 18,000 pounds. With 4-corners on the van chained up, and the trailer rear axle chined up, it's almost like there's not even snow on the road.

[Silver350]

Originally Posted by Zeta

Hey pal, that ain't $500 Canadian I'm talking here!

Z

PS: Good point though.

Have you checked the exchange rate lately? The US Peso aint doin so hot. Which is why the chains cost what they do, I guess.

BTW, do you know that tires with a "Mountain/Snowflake" symbol are recognized by most DOT as being as good as a chained or studded tire?

BFG's have it in so.e sizes as well as Wild Country XTX's.

[jage]

So I've got 34" Nitto AT and need to finally order some tire chains. The clearance on my rig is minimal, the 34s already rub on the mudflaps at full lock. Here's my thinking:

Get one set of ONORM DIAMOND (tirechain.com) and one set of HEAVY DUTY CABLE CHAINS (tirechain.com) for the 305/70/17s.

I can chain up all four with the cables in the front for better clearance, or use the cables in the rear (only) for light duty and my permanent "summer" set. The ONORM DIAMOND (like RUD4x4 but for >33") would be for winter/mountain pass carry and chaining up all 4, or just the rear.

The question is, will the ladder cables do enough to make them worth having on the steer tires? Never run chains or cables, the only set I saw in action was in 4' of powder and the guy would have been better off airing down.

[jage]

Test fit my chains today. I did this by jacking up the front corner as I'm testing for fit.

First thing, a question, is this right?


There is a ~20" gap between the ladder rungs as I'm on the last link on the inside of the tire and 2nd to last on the outside. Seems like it would be easy to find this patch or one of the other ~9" patches between the other ladder rungs, but I've never run chains so I'm not sure if this is bad.

Second thing, the cables are half the weight, but in every other way the chains seem better- I had to supply my own cable bag, stored they don't lay flat, and they require a tensioning device (sold separately):


They were, however, also half the price.

Compare that to the chains which came in a bag and store <2" high in the bag:


Still the cables will fit my pickup as well, and the chains my Jeep, so I think all in all this is a great solution for me. No idea where to store them in the van as every nook is spoken for already.

[Zeta]

Someone recommended Clothier chains to me so I tried a pair. They are definitely old school, but fit well and are of high quality. Ron Clothier is also a very nice fellow who seems anxious to please. http://www.clothierproducts.com/

He hadn't made a set for my 315/75/16 Toyo MT's before, so mine are the first. They are extremely heavy--46 lbs each--and expensive $180/per w/shipping. The first one was a pain to install, but the second went well. He has you use a turnbuckle to tighten them to the next link--worked well:


Off-road they are not even noticeable--just a gentle tinkling sound when driving that belies the huge improvement in capability they will provide.



You don't, BTW, leave the turnbuckle on. If I want some for the front tires, I will have to relocate the brake lines and be very careful about getting near full lock as my tires already rub on the sway bars. Confirming the old school theme, they came in burlap bags, but I'm going to store them in nylon bags, that are currently full of sand, I use to tie down my awning corners. The bags will be much heavier for sure, and I like them serving two purposes.

I figure I'll either leave them on until next June, or hire a full-time two man squadron--who can live in my Airstream--to install them when necessary. I'll just take them everywhere.

Z

[BajaSportsmobile]

I went to an Ice Rally School in Finland (Lapland) last February driving 2011 Subaru WRX cars with spikes - forget the chains! Great hookup!

[vandiesel]

Zeta, those chains are crazy aggressive. Have you had em in snow?

[Zeta]

Originally Posted by vandiesel

Zeta, those chains are crazy aggressive. Have you had em in snow?

Nope, just got them. I bought them for use on logging roads, but it should be good in the snow too.

Z

[Silver350]

Doubled up V-Bar crosslinks?

[Zeta]

Came down with a bit of tire chain fatigue, so I just bought some Chinese cables for the front. Much easier to install--although I still need to do some tightening--, lighter by far and cost about what the shipping of the Clothiers were.



No way they will last long though.

Z