Looking for Snow Chains

[yjypm]

I live in LA and planning to go ski on Big Bear next month for several days.
I have heard that they sometimes require snow chains or awd+winter tires.
It's just a one time visit so im not going to put $1k on new tires, just wondering, are there any snow chains recommended for 255/35/r19 (planning to use my stock peelers)?

My car is not lowered at the moment btw.

Thanks!

[Slick_B8]

Last year around winter time, i went up with snow tires. When i got up, i told them i had all wheel drive and snow tires on but i guess on that night, they required snow chains aswell even on awd with snow tires. Went back down the hill to walmart, grabbed a set and went back up. Didnt need them. Just go to walmart, theyll have them if you need them and hardly expensive. Keep in mind, they wont accept returns on them though

[MrFunk]

I would not drive up a mountain for a ski trip on summer tires - regardless of if you have snow chains. If you encounter snow (even the smallest amount) with those tires you'll wish you had not.
Every winter there are tons of "totaled my car" "hit the curb" "spun out and hit a tree" etc... threads and most are people getting caught in snow with their summer tires. You're planning a ski trip where they sometimes require snow chains... summer tires = FAIL in those conditions.
I remember YYYEARS back when I had my first car with summer tires we got snow unexpectedly. I was parked on a slight grade down to the right. I tried to back the car out and it instantly started sliding sideways the moment the wheels began to move. Summer tires are like hokey pucks in cold weather - add any amount of snow or ice and you're sliding with no control.

If I were you I'd just rent an SUV for a couple days.

+1 on getting chains from Walmart.

[DBL R]

As a first responder I can't count the number of accidents I've been on where the cause of a major collision is a vehicle with summer tires equipped during snowy weather....it's disgusting how many times I've heard "but it's awd, I shouldn't need snow tires". I would look into either all season tires, a set of inexpensive winter tires, or alternate transportation.

[whiped]

If you have all seasons on your car currently you will probably be fine with just chains. (I doubt you will use them)

If you have strictly summer tires, especially if they are PSS either drive a different car or get a dedicated snow set.

Summer tires are awful in the cold and worse in the snow.

[OnEaNgRyBuNnY]

Excuse my ignorance, but aren't chains really for ice traction and not the snow, anyway? I'm not sure the chains do much at all if ice is not present or the tires aren't cutting deep enough to get to a hard surface.


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[MVR 155]

I would not drive up a mountain for a ski trip on summer tires - regardless of if you have snow chains. If you encounter snow (even the smallest amount) with those tires you'll wish you had not.
Every winter there are tons of "totaled my car" "hit the curb" "spun out and hit a tree" etc... threads and most are people getting caught in snow with their summer tires. You're planning a ski trip where they sometimes require snow chains... summer tires = FAIL in those conditions.
I remember YYYEARS back when I had my first car with summer tires we got snow unexpectedly. I was parked on a slight grade down to the right. I tried to back the car out and it instantly started sliding sideways the moment the wheels began to move. Summer tires are like hokey pucks in cold weather - add any amount of snow or ice and you're sliding with no control.

If I were you I'd just rent an SUV for a couple days.

+1 on getting chains from Walmart.

As a first responder I can't count the number of accidents I've been on where the cause of a major collision is a vehicle with summer tires equipped during snowy weather....it's disgusting how many times I've heard "but it's awd, I shouldn't need snow tires". I would look into either all season tires, a set of inexpensive winter tires, or alternate transportation.

If you have all seasons on your car currently you will probably be fine with just chains. (I doubt you will use them)

If you have strictly summer tires, especially if they are PSS either drive a different car or get a dedicated snow set.

Summer tires are awful in the cold and worse in the snow.

Solid advice here^^^^^ No offense, but if you live in LA it's likely you have little in the way of winter driving experience so you want to be properly equipped. If you're rolling on summer tires, it would be nothing short of dumb/dangerous to venture up into the mountains during the snow season regardless of winter driving experience. I think your best bet would be to rent an AWD drive crossover or SUV and call it a day.

[SportVier]

I think your best bet would be to rent an AWD drive crossover or SUV and call it a day.

Agreed. Just make sure it has all-season tires.

[mungie]

I've heard low profile tire cables are good. There are a few on amazon

[QuiverKiller]

I'm in Denver and switch to my winter shoes (blizzaks) towards the end of October and leave them on till spring. You rarely need them in the city but I like to go into the mountains regularly and they're needed there. There are also some relatively new tire laws here where even an AWD car with proper snow tires is not adequate and some additional traction device is required. For that I was thinking of getting a pair of AutoSocks for my front wheels, so I'd be real interested to hear anyone's experience with them. My car is lowered so I bet it be a real PIA to fit them, especially while everything is gummed up with snow and ice on the side of a dark, cold highway.

[SportVier]

I bet it be a real PIA to fit them, especially while everything is gummed up with snow and ice on the side of a dark, cold highway...

...while it is sleeting and you are being sprayed with slush from passing trucks.

And then a half hour later at least one will come loose while you are going 40mph, completely thrashing the paint around your wheel well and chewing up the fender liner, so you'll have to stop and go out again into the sleet and cold and dark to replace it. And you will repeat that whole cycle several times before you finally get to your destination. Good times, for sure.

[MVR 155]

...while it is sleeting and you are being sprayed with slush from passing trucks.

And then a half hour later at least one will come loose while you are going 40mph, completely thrashing the paint around your wheel well and chewing up the fender liner, so you'll have to stop and go out again into the sleet and cold and dark to replace it. And you will repeat that whole cycle several times before you finally get to your destination. Good times, for sure.

I got a solid laugh out of this response...... way to rain on a guy's parade....LOL!!!!

[circle]

I don't know the geography there but are you really 'driving up a snowy mountain'? If so = snow tires. If its fairly flat road and you have fairly new AS tires, you might get away with it. The most important lessons on snow is cautious driving with or without snow tires, slow it up, and brake gently. Anticipate when you need to break and let your foot off the gas for a bit first.

[LINDW4LL]

I live in LA and planning to go ski on Big Bear next month for several days.
I have heard that they sometimes require snow chains or awd+winter tires.
It's just a one time visit so im not going to put $1k on new tires, just wondering, are there any snow chains recommended for 255/35/r19 (planning to use my stock peelers)?

This is a terrible idea if you have summer tires. Do not do.

[yjypm]

This is a terrible idea if you have summer tires. Do not do.

Well that's why I'm looking for chains... I've been there for several times, even it snowed there wasn't much snow on the roads to the resort. I went up there on summer tires last year without problems.

I checked the weather, there will be a possibility of snow during the days I stay there. It will either be sunny or cloudy until that day so if it doesn't snow during the days I stay there, the roads will definitely be fine for summer tires.
I am asking about chains in case it snows after I get there, then I will be riding on chains all day.
So my question should have been: will summer tires with chains work on snow? If so, does anyone know a good set of chains to go for?

[LINDW4LL]

So my question should be, will summer tires with chains work on snow?

I understand your question, and the answer is no. Chains are not a magic fix for having tires that won't grip.

[sixoclub]

I feel compelled to respond to your post;


Please do not do this, it is dangerous.


It is a frequent occurrence where a 19' peeler would is way inadequate for winter mountain conditions, well before chains are required. I'd suggest either borrow or rent a car or buy tires and sell second hand when done. They would probably be easy to get rid of after one use.

FYI 30mph is generally the top speed for chains. The top speed for chains on our car is likely way less due to low wheel well clearance. Chains "stretch" with spinning force. I'd rather park and wait it out then put chains on my snow wheels.

[Michaelds4]

when I purchased my car my sa had me sign a disclaimer that the car wasn't suppose to be used with chains.

[cfd]

yup, owners manual specifically states not to use snow chains with quattro.

[Dirt]

I understand your question, and the answer is no. Chains are not a magic fix for having tires that won't grip.

This.

.

[HeymyAudi]

its probably less of a headache to just rent a car or truck

[MVR 155]

Well that's why I'm looking for chains... I've been there for several times, even it snowed there wasn't much snow on the roads to the resort. I went up there on summer tires last year without problems.

I checked the weather, there will be a possibility of snow during the days I stay there. It will either be sunny or cloudy until that day so if it doesn't snow during the days I stay there, the roads will definitely be fine for summer tires.
I am asking about chains in case it snows after I get there, then I will be riding on chains all day.
So my question should have been: will summer tires with chains work on snow? If so, does anyone know a good set of chains to go for?

Not to be a dick but your method of reasoning/thinking is way off base. First off the fact that you even went up into the mountains on a summer tire during winter when snow can fall at anytime is just irresponsible. You're not the only person on the road so please keep that in mind before doing a dumb thing like that again. You got lucky last year...... A simple dusting of snow will leave a summer tire useless, couple that with grades and turns, you're chances of crashing are much better than not. Not a single person here has recommended going back up on your summer tires (even if you have chains). So do yourself and anyone else who may be on the road at the same time and either buy the right shit for your car or rent something up to the task...... Period!!!!

[OnEaNgRyBuNnY]

Not to be a dick but your method of reasoning/thinking is way off base. First off the fact that you even went up into the mountains on a summer tire during winter when snow can fall at anytime is just irresponsible. You're not the only person on the road so please keep that in mind before doing a dumb thing like that again. You got lucky last year...... A simple dusting of snow will leave a summer tire useless, couple that with grades and turns, you're chances of crashing are much better than not. Not a single person here has recommended going back up on your summer tires (even if you have chains). So do yourself and anyone else who may be on the road at the same time and either buy the right shit for your car or rent something up to the task...... Period!!!!

I have to agree with that.

On a practical note, the chains may well destroy your summer tires, to boot. The rubber will be hard and not pliable like a compound designed for the temp would be, which could result in chunks being gouged.


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[whiped]

^^^^ wise words. Summer tire compound is not designed to be run in cold weather clean road or not. Your tires will have considerably less grip than what you are used to.

Don't be a fool, swap your tires or drive a different car.

[QuiverKiller]

yup, owners manual specifically states not to use snow chains with quattro.

Excellent info. Makes sense but good to be reminded. Thank god I won't have to be in that sleet spraying/ paint thrashing situation on the side of the road!

[SportVier]

Chains are not a magic fix for having tires that won't grip.

But Hakkas have the magic kung fu grip!

[RacrX]

And then a half hour later at least one will come loose while you are going 40mph, completely thrashing the paint around your wheel well and chewing up the fender liner, so you'll have to stop and go out again into the sleet and cold and dark to replace it. And you will repeat that whole cycle several times before you finally get to your destination. Good times, for sure.

So yeah, that exact thing just happened to me. Didn't realize the cables the guy sold me were the wrong size, a hair too big, and at about 20mph they tore up the wheel well liners and completely stripped the paint from the inside of the well. Sonofa@#&!!!!!!

[MVR 155]

So yeah, that exact thing just happened to me. Didn't realize the cables the guy sold me were the wrong size, a hair too big, and at about 20mph they tore up the wheel well liners and completely stripped the paint from the inside of the well. Sonofa@#&!!!!!!

BOOM!!! This repair will cost equal if not more than an entire set of dedicated winter tires/wheels!!!

[protogeoff]

I understand your question, and the answer is no. Chains are not a magic fix for having tires that won't grip.

+1. Cold temps and summers = surprising loss of traction when you least expect it.

V1Rotate

[protogeoff]

Also, in many places, improper tires for the conditions = loss of insurance coverage.

V1Rotate

[jokingjimmy]

It sounds like you do this trip annually.

That being said, my recommendation is invest in a winter setup - inexpensive 18" wheels with winter tires. Only get chains if they make you (the Walmart example although I don't condone shopping at Wal-Mart, go to an auto parts store or Target lol).

You can use those winters every year for a while, and unless there are major ice issues in the mountain in years to come you won't need chains. You child go up on summers, get a freak weather front move in and you're screwed.

Over the course of 3 or 4 years the tires will pay for itself in safety and longevity. And if plans change in the future you can always sell the setup.

Winter setup = good investment for your situation.