Snow chains?

Hey guys, recently moved to Co Springs area. Question is, should I get snow chains for the wife's FWD Highlander? Has nearly new Michelin LTX M/S tires on it but we will likely take it up to the ski areas a couple of times each season. Also, can I get them just for the front wheels or would I need all four? Thanks for any advice.

 

It wouldn't hurt to have them in the back just in case you get caught in a storm.

I have never needed them when going up skiing. I would say only for the two powered wheels. If I was 4x4 than all 4. But honestly in the years I been going up to the ski areas I haven't found a need for them. Granted I had a 4x4 every time. Maybe I just got lucky so I will aid on the side of caution!

 

If there's a storm bad enough to blanket the highways in enough snow to need chains, the highway will be shut down.

I'd say don't bother, but since they're not that expensive, buy a pair for peace of mind. If you really want to go all out, having chains for all four is nice. Keeps the end without chains from coming around - as in, if you're on a steep downhill with just front wheel chains, the back end could lose enough traction to begin sliding and end up doing a 180. But, the conditions would have to be pretty bad/slick for that to happen.

I too have never needed chains on paved roads in the winter, in the mountains or not.

 

Some roads require chains be carried in the vehicle during winter , that's how it is in BC anyway

 

Not required here for passenger vehicles... from cotrip.org FAQs:

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Are passenger cars required to have chains in Colorado?[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-1] Passenger cars are not required to have chains in their car. On rare occasions road conditions may be so severe that law enforcement requires all vehicles use chains but occurrences are exceedingly rare.
[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-1]
[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-1] More common is the requirement for all vehicles to have adequate snow tires or tire chains. Adequate snow tires are defined as tires marked M/S (mud/snow) or studded snow tires with tread depth of 1/8th inch or greater. Four wheel drive engaged is considered an alternative to adequate snow tires or chains for passenger vehicles. [/SIZE][/FONT]

~~~

I added the red font color, as it sort of applies to the OP as the vehicle in question is FWD. Chains/cables are cheaper than switching to M/S or studded tires come wintertime. Plenty of folks keep winter appropriate tires on separate wheels and switch between the two.

Fun part on the end there, as the tires and/or chains requirement goes out the window if you have 4WD.

 

IMHO chains are a huge pain in the ass. There is nothing quite as much fun as freezing your butt off on the side of the road trying to get the chains on. Once I discovered snow tires I've never use chains. Yes, they are more money, but in my view it is just a cost of living in snow country. I was a ski instructor for a couple of seasons and have driven ugly, slippery, icy, mountain roads more times than I can remember and the one thing you don't want is different tires and/or chains front and back. That means 4 chains or snow tires. If you just put them on the front you are almost guaranteed the rear will break loose and you will spin at some point. (don't ask me how I know that. Scared the snot right out of me when it happened and I was lucky nothing was damaged.)

Here in Salt Lake during storms the local police will sometimes close the roads to the ski resorts to chains or 4wd. I don't know about CO but your choices maybe limited to chains if you don't have a 4wd.

 

I'm of the mindset "I would rather have it and not need it". I also was moving from Georgia and was really naive!! However Atlanta got hit with the Snowpocalypse and they came in very handy. I did heavy research on this and ended up getting two sets from different places (total of four chains - they come as a pair). I went with RUD chains for one set:

Snow snow snow... So snow @aaroonski #snow #sosnow #catfriend by pnorvell, on Flickr

1 x RUD GRIP 4x4 - 2532 (2532) = $90.00
http://tirechaindealer.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=126

Truck Chain - Diamond Pattern - Part no. 2532D
http://www.tirechainsupply.com/product137.html

If you notice, the part numbers the same... There was slight (very slight) differences of the two but I think I like the RUDs a little more. My tires are old and worn down too so I had the constant issue of the adjustment chain slapping the inner fender. Really annoying and to JSI's point they are a huge pain in the ass to install. You put them on and drive a little, tighten, drive a little more a little faster, tighten, etc etc.

 

Ok, Thanks for the input sounds like a "just in case set" is in order.

 

Just get a good set of snow tires.

 

I work in the "buisness of chain law" you do not need them in Colorado. Just good tires!

 

The only time I've used chains is on offroad trails/forest service roads in the wintertime having fun wheeling. That's when chains vs. no chains really shines. I've never needed them on the paved roads, but then again I use 4wd when conditions are slick enough for it.

I have the diamond-style chains too, which are considered a quick-fit. Bought mine through tirechains.com. After having used them a few times, I think they are pretty easy to throw on. I do one adjustment after driving a very short distance and they're set; I have gone too far without re-tightening and had one come off. Getting them off is harder to me than getting them on. If you don't abuse them (full throttle assaults; once I pushed them (was chained up on all four tires) to see what they would handle and lost two this way), they'll last a long time.

OP - If you all carry the chains for peace of mind, be sure to practice in your driveway a couple times to understand how to install them. It's more fun to learn this way than when the temperatures are low and the snow is flying.

 

Real V-Bar tire chains have there uses. Where you using the cable chains?

 

In the 6 years I lived there I had 2 FWD cars... Never needed chains.

Put em once once during a bad storm in the mountains; some cars were, some were not. In all honesty could have gone without them. I kept them in the trunk as insurance the whole time I was there.

my $0.02

 

I've used old school chains and cable chains and snow tires and 4wd and for my money snow tires and 4wd win every time. I'm not saying that you couldn't possibly go further with chains, but there no reason to be a damn fool about it. There comes a point when the best way to get around is with snowmobile.

 

Norv. Or anyone.

I see chains on the front. Did this work out? Are those stock tires and rims? What size?

 

If you choose to purchase chains, I'd personally recommend buying insulated work gloves, a hat, a headlamp, and potentially some coveralls to toss in a bag with them. They're no fun to put on in good weather, but being prepared with the right gear will save a lot of cursing from being wet and frozen. Also, practice a few times, preferably in the dark.