Chains VS Cable, any suggestions?

[taipeichris]

Hi Guys,

Ski season is here and this year I'm driving the Bronco!

Since it never snows in Los Angeles and I only go to the snow a few times a year I've never owned snow chains.

If I get a set, would you recommend snow cables or snow chains?

Any brands you recommend?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[Pedestrian]

Depends on what you are using them for. If you are just complying with the "chains required" laws, cables work great and will get you thru anything you are ever likely to hit on pavement. They also allow higher road speeds than chains.
If you are going to be breaking new trails in deep snow and ice, get chains.

 

[Dude seriously]

I prefer traditional chains over the cables. Any of the good quality diamond pattern chain styles will work well. If you need chains, you are already driving slowly. Don't get cheap on your chains, even if you only plan on using them now and then. It would be cheaper to stay home.

The cable style is kinda sorta maybe ok for limited stretches in small light cars to meet the "chains required" as mentioned above. The heavier or more powerful the car, the faster the cable style will come apart. If you have LS or a locker it will tear the cables up faster too.

 

[TN1776]

In all but the worst conditions in California, a 4x4 with M+S rated tires will satisfy the "chains required" enforcement. The signs do say "carry chains" though.

In 20+ years of driving to the snow here in CA I've encountered conditions bad enough to require chains on a 4x4 one time - and my personal opinion has always been if they want me to chain up a 4x4 I am turning around and going home. California highway patrol in my opinion only ever requires chains to slow people down. I've driven in worse conditions out of state where chains weren't required.

 

[Bubbaluv]

I believe that even for 4 wheel drive rigs,that in r-2 conditions, you don't have to put them on, but you are required to carry them. The risk is you get checked and ticketed if not carrying. That said, I have never carried them to big bear, and at least once wished I had them up at Mammoth. Go figure.

 

[badmuttstang]

Another factor is what kind of tires do you have a mild tread design like BFG ATs cables work good chains are better like others have said when heavy use is intended. A more aggressive tread like a mud style tire chains are the way to go. Just my 2 cents this is what we told customers when I worked at Les Schwab tires.

 

[Pa PITT]

I used to use them on another pickup I had .. Man just the chains over 2 places in the tires really did improve the traction. So I too vote for chains.

 

[matt w]

I'm a chain guy myself!...In fact I have 2 sets! one for the front and one for the back!;D

 

[matt w]

In all but the worst conditions in California, a 4x4 with M+S rated tires will satisfy the "chains required" enforcement. The signs do say "carry chains" though.

In 20+ years of driving to the snow here in CA I've encountered conditions bad enough to require chains on a 4x4 one time - and my personal opinion has always been if they want me to chain up a 4x4 I am turning around and going home. California highway patrol in my opinion only ever requires chains to slow people down. I've driven in worse conditions out of state where chains weren't required.

Yes get good snow & mud tires and "carry chains" I have made several trip to Big Bear on S&M tires with chains that were not the right size...I would just point to the chains in the back of the truck and they would let me by! However I do have the correct size now...that was when I was young!

 

[Bundy]

Get chains in case you need to show them. I've been turned around going to Mammoth by CHP in an 08' FX4 with BFG A/T's. They don't care if you are in a tank, they want you to go back down the hill and pay double for snow chains in Bishop!

Also buy em ahead of time as most places don't carry oversize chain sets (since we live in So Cal)

 

[RustyShackelfor]

where can you get chains and not cost an arm and a leg and how do you determine what size you need for these larger tires?

 

[Bundy]

They still cost an arm and leg anywhere you go but if you buy em at the town before the CHP chain check you'll really pay out your ass.

These guys have free ground shipping
http://www.etrailer.com/parts-by-tire-size.aspx?tirewidth=35&tireaspect=12.5&tiresize=15&productgroup=tire chains

 

[taipeichris]

I checked ebay, just type in snow chains and you size. Also, Google found one tirechains.com. Umm...is there a walmart near you? If you find a deal, let me know.

 

[blubuckaroo]

If you ever have had a chance to use both styles on the road, you'll buy cables. they don't have to be taken off and put back on as often since you can drive a bit on them without snow. Just don't get the cheesy light ones at the oil and wax auto parts stores. Get the really heavy ones made for truck/SUV tires.

 

[KyleQ]

Rudchain.com = quality!

I could crawl up ANYTHING with these bad boys, love em.



Had lots of fun without the chains though-

 

[TN1776]

Get chains in case you need to show them. I've been turned around going to Mammoth by CHP in an 08' FX4 with BFG A/T's. They don't care if you are in a tank, they want you to go back down the hill and pay double for snow chains in Bishop!

Also buy em ahead of time as most places don't carry oversize chain sets (since we live in So Cal)

That's crazy! I've never even been asked if I had chains when I roll through the checkpoint in my 4x4 pickup. One time they did measure my tread depth before waving me through, but that's it. As I've gotten a little older though I all but refuse to go skiing in anything resembling blizzard conditions, so maybe things have changed.

 

[Bundy]

That's crazy! I've never even been asked if I had chains when I roll through the checkpoint in my 4x4 pickup. One time they did measure my tread depth before waving me through, but that's it. As I've gotten a little older though I all but refuse to go skiing in anything resembling blizzard conditions, so maybe things have changed.

We live in Cali though which doesn't exactly set the standard for normal. When you get every yahoo in a minivan or prius from LA heading to the mountains the CHP doesn't mess around or give any leniency... and with good reason- have you seen the chaos in LA when we get 1/2" of rain??

 

[Bubbaluv]

have you seen the chaos in LA when we get 1/2" of rain??

I used to commute from Valencia to Thousand Oaks going I-5 to 405 to 101. If its cloudy traffic slows to stop. And if you cant handle those condition you have no business going above the snow level but people do it anyway.

 

[broncobilly72]

Chains are required in California on 4x4's when towing a trailer.

 

[mattyq17]

A few years ago I was going to Sierra Summit and was told at the check point that I needed to have chains (was in a 4x4 truck with M/S tires), they told me that even with a 4x4 I was required to carry chains. Went down and bought some never used them. I ended up tearing my ACL that trip, I should have just turned around and went home, wouldnt have had to buy the chains or tear my ACL