OT - Auto Tire Cables

M-MAN · Dec 14, 2010

Anyone have any experience with tire cables on a front wheel drive auto? Been thinking about getting a set for my old Berreta(just in case) as I have an hour drive to work and another hour back. Got caught in a snowstorm last winter & that drive took 4 hour's and a short pull to get home. The cables look like they might pull straight ok, but there's nothing to keep them from sliding sideway's like chain's have? I rarely drive the truck or Jeep to work unless I'm expecting bad weather so I'm thinking of these just in case. TIA

Aaron Ford · Dec 15, 2010

I have a Olds Intrigue that I run a light set of chains on. I have heard that this is not advised, but I have 126K on the car and have run chains (when needed) since new. I am not a fan of the cables as I had one break right at the crimp and tear up the side of my Nissan PU that I was driving. I have not had any problems with clearances. Top speed for the chains is 25.

Aaron

fireland · Dec 15, 2010

i commuted over snoqualmie pass 11 years on a daily basis. ran cables on front wheel drive the whole time when needed. only had to use them 5 times in 11 years. tighten the inside of the cable 1 notch tighter than outside and use rubber snubber. keep it under 35. never lost one. never liked chaining up in 6 inches of slush either.

Aaron Ford · Dec 15, 2010

I checked tirechain.com and found that the chains I paid 80 bucks for from the local walmart only cost 32 dollars on tirechain. For 80 I could have had the nicest chains they sell...

Dangit.

Aaron

IOWA NORTHEAST · Dec 15, 2010

We had them on every fire truck at one time, now we have tossed them.

We went to the regular tire chains with the cam latches. We however do not try to drive the 35 as mentioned.

The cables were ok, but when breaking, you have to let it roll a little as you break, otherwise the cables are not in contact with the ice.

I do not recall them ever being a side slid problem, as they do cut into the ice somewhat.

In any case, they are well worth the cost compared to nothing at all.

Make yourself a small board with blocks added to make a place for the cross bars to drop into, lay the chain into the slots, then drive up on the 2 high block. You will hug yourself for doing that, even with regular chains.

I'm poor at explaining things, but it will look like a ladder with the rungs sunk dowmn for the tire chais to lay in where the ladder rungs would be. The block of wood only needs to be 18 inches long for a large truck, and about a 6 inch wide board.

WA-Hal · Dec 16, 2010

Did you ever try studded snow tires? We cross that pass quite often, going to see our daughter in Seattle. We use good studded snow tires and have yet to need to mess with the cable chains. The little front drive cars do fine with just the stud. We do carry the cable chains, just in case the highway department requires them, but so far we haven't had to use them.

We live near Spokane, and some years the roads are snowy 4 months of the year. Not last year. Hardly any snow at all. But we just had the snowiest November on record, so I don't know what to expect in January and February.

Studded snow tires really help here. I hope our state doesn't decide that we can't have them anymore. Good luck!

OT - Auto Tire Cables

M-MAN

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Aaron Ford

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fireland

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Aaron Ford

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IOWA NORTHEAST

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WA-Hal

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