Going up to Tahoe this winter.. chains or cables?

Imported

Lifer
Sep 2, 2000
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Going to be taking my Civic [94 EX, 4 door]. Better to go with chains or cables?
 

DrVos

Golden Member
Jan 31, 2002
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I've never used cables, but I've heard they are often used by cars with little clearance between the tire and the wheel well. In anycase, I'd suggest a good set of chains and one of those stretchy rubber-band like things that pull your chains taut. Oh, and make sure you practice a couple of times in good weather to get a feel for the installation process. Nothing sucks more than putting your chains on for the first time on the highway when its dark and snowy.
 

EyeMWing

Banned
Jun 13, 2003
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only sissies need traction assistance devices such as those. Real men can get around on el-cheapo radials year round.
 

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,103
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Originally posted by: z0mb13
what are cables???

Instead of tire chains they have tire cables. Same thing as a chain except they're cables, as the name implies.
 

Imported

Lifer
Sep 2, 2000
14,679
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Originally posted by: DrVos
I've never used cables, but I've heard they are often used by cars with little clearance between the tire and the wheel well. In anycase, I'd suggest a good set of chains and one of those stretchy rubber-band like things that pull your chains taut. Oh, and make sure you practice a couple of times in good weather to get a feel for the installation process. Nothing sucks more than putting your chains on for the first time on the highway when its dark and snowy.

Thanks for the advice. Will for sure practice how to put chains on [my brother has done it before but I'd like to know how to as well]. Do you have any recommendations on brands?
 

bleeb

Lifer
Feb 3, 2000
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If you go alot, get some studded tires and chains... if you go occasionally, get cables.. they are cheap and easy to put on.
 

Dragnov

Diamond Member
Apr 24, 2001
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Chains give much better traction, but more expensive and harder to put on.

Cables are not as good traction, but cheaper and easier to put on.

Get chains. It's already scary as fsck driving when its snowing, road is icy, and its dark.

Driving a civic for snowboarding? Can you even fit snowboards in there? I will also pray for you, I woudln't want to drive a dinky little car in those conditions. Amazing how many Civics you see crashed into the side of now... I helped push out a few of them, for your poor souls.
 

Imported

Lifer
Sep 2, 2000
14,679
23
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Originally posted by: Gr1mL0cK
Chains give much better traction, but more expensive and harder to put on.

Cables are not as good traction, but cheaper and easier to put on.

Get chains. It's already scary as fsck driving when its snowing, road is icy, and its dark.

Driving a civic for snowboarding? Can you even fit snowboards in there? I will also pray for you, I woudln't want to drive a dinky little car in those conditions.

It's either the Civic or a 91 Previa. My dad won't let me take the Audi most likely.. :(

Getting roofrack for the snowboards.
 

Evadman

Administrator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Feb 18, 2001
30,990
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The cables do absoluetly nothing at all. When I was up vacationing in tahoe last winter, I helped take off 2 sets from 2 different cars because they did nto help at all, and in one instance, got the car stuck worse. Cables only help on hard surfaces such as ice. anything over 1" of snow, and they actually make it worse.

Get chains.

<edit>
I should say that when I was up there, we got 36" of snow in 18 hours one of the days. Guess what, cables ain't doin sh!t.
 

Ns1

No Lifer
Jun 17, 2001
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So I guess I'll have to leave my Prelude at home lol
 
Jan 31, 2002
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Originally posted by: EyeMWing
only sissies need traction assistance devices such as those. Real men can get around on el-cheapo radials year round.

TESTIFY MY BROTHA.

I'm from Canada, the land of frozen streets and dogsleds - and I have never used chains ONCE. Get your whussy ass some good snows and ease off the gas.

- M4H
 

Dragnov

Diamond Member
Apr 24, 2001
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Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Originally posted by: EyeMWing
only sissies need traction assistance devices such as those. Real men can get around on el-cheapo radials year round.

TESTIFY MY BROTHA.

I'm from Canada, the land of frozen streets and dogsleds - and I have never used chains ONCE. Get your whussy ass some good snows and ease off the gas.

- M4H

They don't let you up the mountain if the roads are icy and you don't have chains/cables on.
 

TechnoKid

Diamond Member
Feb 12, 2001
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Originally posted by: Gr1mL0cK
Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Originally posted by: EyeMWing
only sissies need traction assistance devices such as those. Real men can get around on el-cheapo radials year round.

TESTIFY MY BROTHA.

I'm from Canada, the land of frozen streets and dogsleds - and I have never used chains ONCE. Get your whussy ass some good snows and ease off the gas.

- M4H

They don't let you up the mountain if the roads are icy and you don't have chains/cables on.

Yup, in California, they have strict chain control on the roads in the foothills and the Sierra Nevada region, should weather make caltrans and CHP call for chains.

Regular chains or diamond chains etc? I was looking at http://www.tirechain.com/CarChains.htm, or would it be better to get something local at perhaps walmart?

-Chris