Where to buy Chains?

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
PhoKingGuy

PhoKingGuy

Diamond Member
Nov 15, 2007
4,685
0
76
Skoorb said:
I looked into chains last year. The problems/observations I seem to recall, though, in no particular order:

1) I've never, ever seen anybody in Rochester, NY with chains on their car. Granted, I don't look. I should, but I don't recall seeing it.
2) They're only good at really low speeds.

My Maxima is a steaming pile of grade-a sh*t in the snow, an epic piece of crap with fail written all over it (Our Mazda MPV smokes it badly in snow), but still it just seemed to have a very limited use when I could really use these mainly because of the speed issue.
Click to expand...

Add rain in as well, but i'll admit I do have some pretty cheap tires on mine
 
Zap

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
7
81
DLeRium said:
Caltrans plows the 50 and I-80 VERY frequently. I believe chains/cables are for pathetic CA drivers who have never seen snow.
Click to expand...

Even for CA drivers who are Canadian expatriots, in some circumstances chains are REQUIRED if you don't have all-wheel drive and snow tires (not all-season "mud & snow").

shortylickens said:
I cannot find deep snow tires in my size. And I dont really feel like buying a 2nd set of rims just for snow tires. Were I still living in Minnesota I might have done that.
Click to expand...

You can get "winter performance" tires. They are better than all-seasons in the snow, but can be used year-round.
 
olds

olds

Elite Member
Mar 3, 2000
50,124
779
126
Another thing worth mentioning.
Because of California's proximity to the Pacific Ocean, the snow is very wet and packs up firmly on the road. This causes issues when driving.

In inland states, the snow is drier and can even blow across the road without sticking. It's easier to drive in it and part/most of the reason other states don't require chains.

Another reason chains on Interstate 80 in California are often required is because a jack knifed big rig can shut the freeway down for hours effectively stopping some commerce in California. Amazon/UPS/Grocery stores/gasoline companies, casinos, etc lose money when the road is closed.
Plow truck can't get through to keep the road clear and the snow builds up and takes longer to remove.

Also, 99% of the vehicles that get stuck are 4X4 because the driver doesn't know how to operate it.
Having grown up driving in snow and plowing it for the last 20 years, I love to blow by people that can't drive in it.
 
Last edited:
herm0016

herm0016

Diamond Member
Feb 26, 2005
8,516
1,128
126
i live in wyoming near I-80. I work in the oil field and drive off road about half the time. wyoming has a law that you must have chains on or at least in your car over some passes. we carry chains in all of our trucks, our pickups (f-350/450) and our logging trucks and cranes ( med. duty kenworths and peterbuilts) chains are great on ice and help in mud and snow. if your travel is critical you should carry chains, otherwise just stay home and wait it out. we see too many vehicles in the ditch that should not even be on the road.

I am actually looking for a set for my personal pickup. we run standard chains on all our trucks. I am wondering if the diamond chains are better? and if there are any brands to stay away from?
 
shortylickens

shortylickens

No Lifer
Jul 15, 2003
80,287
17,082
136
God damn UPS!

I paid for next day delivery and they've taken about 5. According to tracking, they went out for delivery this morning and somebody turned around and took them right back to the depot. The roads were clear today, they could have delivered them.
We are getting lots of snow tonight and I could have used them tomorrow. Now they wont get delivered for days.

Fudge!

Now its snowing again, and blowing hard. I know darn well the bastards wont be out today. They shoulda done it yesterday when the roads were clear. I wont see those damn chains until spring.
 
Last edited:
shortylickens

shortylickens

No Lifer
Jul 15, 2003
80,287
17,082
136
OK, the UPS guy finally delivered them. 3 days late. But they're here. I take pics tomorrow, while installing, and installed.
The plastic case they arrive in is pretty neat.
 
herm0016

herm0016

Diamond Member
Feb 26, 2005
8,516
1,128
126
i ended up buying SCC cable chains for my Pickup. according to GM I need to use chains that comply with the low clearance specs. Mine will mainly be used for ice traction when driving from Laramie to Rock springs this winter.

I am rather impressed with the quality of them.

real chains are very good in mud/snow/ice also. but I do not plan on driving where the snow is too bad, and my tires are all ready pretty good in the snow.
 
U

uli2000

Golden Member
Jul 28, 2006
1,257
1
71
Fmr12B said:
Les Schwab!

Hands down the best, why, they have a "if you don't use em you can return them policy".

They will teach you how to put on the chains and remove the chains.

Buy the Diamond X or whatever ones its called that are like $69.99 - they allow you to put the chains on the tires without ever moving the car. Just install. Drive 300 ft and tighten.

They work like a champ!!!

Only issue is, be careful when removing that one of the hooks does not get caught in your brake caliper while in the dark. I had to remove the whole tire in order to remove the hook because it was snagged.
Click to expand...

I second Les Schwab.
 
hanoverphist

hanoverphist

Diamond Member
Dec 7, 2006
9,867
23
76
i live in az, rarely see snow unless i go looking for it. that said, i have some aggressive all season tires that do well in snow. ice, not so much. i also have a set of chains for those times, they are nice, thick chains that chew up roads if theres no ice on them. normally ill put them on when needed, pull over and take them off when there is no ice. they have saved my bacon a few times.
 
shortylickens

shortylickens

No Lifer
Jul 15, 2003
80,287
17,082
136
I sent the chains back.
But then went ahead and got a better set of chains this past spring.
Never did take pics though, sorry.
 
SparkyJJO

SparkyJJO

Lifer
May 16, 2002
13,357
7
81
OK who resurrected this thread??

Fmr12B said:
Chains/cables are for roads that are not plowed often - usually mountain passes that get heavy snow and are steep.

I've used chains on Hwy 50 and I-80 in California going to Reno/Tahoe.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/33/92999570_0a04dd4f0b.jpg
Click to expand...

Hm, they probably wouldn't let me go through even though I have 4x4, since my tires technically aren't snow tires. They are all terrain tires, and very good in all sorts of snow (I've been through quite a bit last winter), but because they don't have the little snowflake picture on them they would probably tell me no.
 
S

Sukhoi

Elite Member
Dec 5, 1999
15,350
106
106
oldsmoboat can you explain CA's reasoning for requiring chains on 2WD vehicles with M+S tires, but not on 4WD vehicles with M+S tires? Having 4WD for the most part does not improve braking or steering, which are the two actions that keep a vehicle from crashing.
 
olds

olds

Elite Member
Mar 3, 2000
50,124
779
126
Sukhoi said:
oldsmoboat can you explain CA's reasoning for requiring chains on 2WD vehicles with M+S tires, but not on 4WD vehicles with M+S tires? Having 4WD for the most part does not improve braking or steering, which are the two actions that keep a vehicle from crashing.
Click to expand...
It improves traction and can improve steering if one knows how to drive in the snow.
 
Vetterin

Vetterin

Senior member
Aug 31, 2004
973
0
71
Since we brought this one back from the dead I would just like to add that the best place to buy chains would be from a.............................CHAIN STORE!
 
olds

olds

Elite Member
Mar 3, 2000
50,124
779
126
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom