Snow Chains that Scratch the wheels?!

[Veritas107]

A buddy of mine who works for (Grab your ankles "Cal-Trans" as a mechanic) made a noble suggestion for protecting one's wheels from snow chains/cables (right I knows it Summer!) when installed. He said to go to Harbor Freight and buy that large shrink wrap around the affected areas instead of my suggestion of Duck Tape!
Anyone try something different or think this is a "out there" suggestion? Any input would be helpfulful instead of buying another set of wheels for the snow. The guy who sold me the snow cables suggested wheels just for the snow. But then I would just get "Snow Studs" and not worry about this. Also I have an All Wheel Drive Maverick....
Front Wheel?
Rear Wheel?
For the chains? Please don't write all four wheels! I already KNOW THIS!!!

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[tom_tucker]

Chains go up to 25 mph, if that is your use case. There are guys practically giving away steel wheelsets for snow tire mounts if you want to go faster.

I have the alpha trax but have not needed them. It will suck to run snow tires in warm LA, but you'll be glad when you head into the mtns. The only tire alternative is if you have AWD and alpha trax- to replace the tire with a 3 peak all-season and run one set all year. I prefer to run summer and winter sets.

 

[Veritas107]

Chains go up to 25 mph, if that is your use case. There are guys practically giving away steel wheelsets for snow tire mounts if you want to go faster.

Thanks Tom...WOW! you have a really nicely set up truck!

 

[Rogue]

Or you can get chains that don't mar your wheels or tires. I've been using AlphaTrax on my Maverick. When installed, there is no metal to metal or metal to rubber contact. I've been very happy with the performance.

https://lacledechain.com/alpha-trax/

 

[AutobahnSHO]

They make some really good snow tires which aren't studded.

 

[Master Blaster]

This may be a dumb question, but what do you need chains for? Are they due to a stupid government mandate from the 50's or something? I use separate factory summer and Blizzak winter tire sets, and have never even come close to needing chains with only a foot of snow in Ontario. Since your air dam is only 8" off the ground, any more snow than that is going to break body parts and you aren't driving in it.

 

[tom_tucker]

This may be a dumb question, but what do you need chains for? Are they due to a stupid government mandate from the 50's or something? I use separate factory summer and Blizzak winter tire sets, and have never even come close to needing chains with only a foot of snow in Ontario. Since your air dam is only 8" off the ground, any more snow than that is going to break body parts and you aren't driving in it.

Flatlander? The state can receive 500-800 inches of snow and has peaks reaching over 14,000 feet. You're not driving on level ground in the Sierra Nevada.

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