I bought these hoping to better deal with wet ice in the Alaska mountains where I live. Studs are permitted here (so far) but not in neighboring Yukon, so studs are not the answer. The Blizzaks and Ice-X work well in the "normal" winter temps, but not wet ice. So I have owned a lot of car/light truck tire chains over the years. The old ladder chains were pretty basic, and dirty but they worked. Then came the egg cars with close fitting fenders, and cable chains were supposed to be the answer. Wrong answer! Cable chains gave you something to show the Trooper that you are legal and, well I can't think of any other use for them. Ah! Making rust!
Now there are some engineered emergency traction devices like these Thule's, which work well. The key word is emergency: They are not designed to replace winter tires. You go slow and you don't go all day, but you DO go, which is kind of the point. They are easy to install, considering the tight space they operate in, and also easy to remove. The key feature seems to be the stiff cable that the cross chains fasten to, which is slipped around behind the mounted tire and connected to itself to make a ring. Then the various cross chains are fished out and fastened together with a tightening device. Hard to visualize maybe, but easy once you have done it. And that is the important part: Don't expect to learn how to install them in the cold, dark, and wet. One Memorable life lesson is the likely outcome, especially if they have a clearance issue.
Once installed, they do perform well. The traction chains are made of hardened square wire, not round, which gives good bite on wet ice. The diamond cross chain pattern gives good stability. The tension chain is lightweight and plastic covered, to minimize damage to wheels. I don't have enough miles on them to predict longevity, but they are designed to get you out of a pickle, not to continue driving into a bigger one, so that does not concern me. For me they are a valuable piece of winter emergency gear for my Audi A6
| Manufacturer | Konig Distribution |
|---|---|
| Brand | Konig Distribution |
| Model | CB-12 |
| Item Weight | 9 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 13 x 2.76 x 13 inches |
| Country of Origin | Italy |
| Item model number | 2004365100 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 2004365100 |
