gjw@floyd.UUCP (Greg Wroclawski) (12/07/83)
I am looking for some feedback on cable chains. These are "chains" that supposedly won't damage tires and are compatible with radials. Can they be put on easily in a pinch. How effective are they? I am just interested in putting them on in case I am caught in a snowstorm driving back from skiing. I have gotten caught several times having to pull over and check into a motel while others others pulled into a gas station had the chains in their trunk put on and continued on their way.
rs55611@ihuxk.UUCP (12/08/83)
Several mail order outfits, as well as the Sear's Catalog, advertize "chains" made out of some kind of plastic, or teflon, or something. I had a set for a Fiat Spider, and they work very well. They consist of plastic slats with metal studs on them, held together by nylon cords (a slat about every 5 inches around the circumference of the tire. They go on relatively easily. With them I could drive through any snow or ice that was low enough so that the Fiat body cleared the snow (~7 in., or more). When a slat breakes (and they do, if you really spin the wheels) repair kits are available from Sears, at a reasonable cost. Like any chain set, they will wear out pretty quickly if driven on dry roads at a high speed (not to mention the buckboard ride). Bob Schleicher ihuxk!rs55611 Bell Labs, Naperville, Ill.
harold@hp-pcd.UUCP (Harold Noyes) (12/09/83)
#R:floyd:-202600:hp-pcd:2400021:000:2182 hp-pcd!harold Dec 8 11:48:00 1983 Having grown up in Utah, I *rarely* use chains when driving on snow- conditions have to be either **awful** or else there is a Highway Patrol officer sitting there enforcing Oregon's laws to use chains in the Cascades. I have owned (and used) both the regular chains and Sno-Treads. (I think these Sno-Treads are similar to the Sears ones already mentioned.) Some comments: Sno-Treads wore out and broke *very* quickly. They were thrown away befor they made it through their first season. They also did not provide traction as well as the regular chains. However, they don't destroy your wheel wells like regular chains can (especially if you have low wheel well clearance on your car). Regular chains *can* damage radial tires. If you have radials, there are basically three choices- the plastic products like Sno-Treads, "cable chains", or a different type of link (P-link) "regular" chain. This different type of chain link has been designed specifically for radial tires and *will not* damage them. Based on heresay- not experience- "cable chains" work OK but wear out faster than the new link chains. To Summarize: If you have radial tires and *really* need chains, the new link chains are the best way to go- they provide greater traction and last longer than the other two possible solutions. I'd recommend that you also pay the extra $5 it takes to have the store "custom fit" the chains to your car. Advice: Use the chains properly!! Don't drive over 30 MPH when chains are on. Don't keep them on when all there is is slush or wet pavement. Learn how to repair broken links and carry spare links with you. All these will save your car a lot of grief. CASE IN POINT: I was traveling on I-84W near Pendleton. We had just come through the Blue Mountains, which were snowpacked and some people had put chains on. However, near Pendleton it was raining and the roads were bare. I passed one guy that was doing 50 MPH and still had his chains on!! He had at least one broken cross-member and was beating his wheel wells into steel wool- sparks were just flying. Enough of my ramblings- hope this has been of some help. Harold Noyes ~!hp-labs!hp-pcd
steveh@hammer.UUCP (Stephen Hemminger) (12/19/83)
As far as chains go, I have good luck with my Champion cable chains also. But be sure and get the kind with the nubs and clip method of installation. I helped out someone (she had chains on the rear wheels of a front wheel drive car [dumb]) with another brand which used tie straps. These strap on kind look easier to install, but they slip off to easily and harder to pull tight.