Tire Chains.

[Clock Doc]

Anyone have a recomendation for tire chains. I won't be getting snows until next year and chains are always good to have. It's been 30yrs since buying chains, anyone have a preferance or ones to avoid?

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[paneubert]

I'll tell you what I bought. But I can't confirm if they will clear the wheel wells when the wheels are locked left or right in a hard turn. I don't have a truck to test them on yet....

I did some measuring of the chain and am not sure they will work based on what other folks have said about larger tires rubbing. Here's my math.

Links on the tread face seem to be about 1/2 inch tall. Sides stick out at most .8 inches on each sidewall. So a total of 1 inch extra vertical clearance needed on stock tires. That isn't super concerning and should clear fine. Not sure about sidewalls, but slightly concerning since difference between stock tires and "largest that don't rub" tires is 1.18 inches difference in width while chains add possibly 1.6 inches. Half an inch wider.......

But....they were a smoking deal when I found them. So I snatched them up in case they work. If they don't, I'll sell them. Or only mount on rear tires assuming vertical clearance isn't an issue.


Security Chain Company QG2229CAM Quik Grip Light Truck CAM LSH Tire Traction Chains

 

[Timothyd]

Anyone have a recomendation for tire chains. I won't be getting snows until next year and chains are always good to have. It's been 30yrs since buying chains, anyone have a preferance or ones to avoid?

Chains rule. There when you need them. I got a nice set from Amazon for my Buick. The fwd Buick does pretty good in the snow but I tried them once for grins and they worked great when snow was almost up to the bumper. No clearance problems at all. I was considering the ones with straps and cleats. There's a YouTube test with Mavericks with and without chains, check that out.

 

[C from SF]

I have an XL AWD I use in the northern California mountains. I bought Peerless 0155505 Auto-Trac Tire Traction Chains on Amazon. They are listed for light pickups and SUVs. Technically, they are cables.

 

[Bob The Builder]

Most likely gonna get flamed for this, but IMHO if one is expecting to be out in such extreme weather that they feel chains are required then I would suggest going with AWD. The AWD system, on the Mav, promises, from what I have seen, to be a stellar performer in extreme weather conditions. I have lived in a state that sees extreme winter weather and never used a set of chains on a vehicle in my life and used to travel 30K a year in some of the worst weather imaginable. With that said, I did own my share of 4x4's with Haks or Blizzaks all the way around. To each their own for sure.

 

[Mav as heck]

Chains are really only useful if you have lousy tires or trying to get over some VERY extreme conditions. The best case scenario is getting some proper rubber for your vehicle. Your safety is too important to cheap out on. Not to mention... putting chains on in the snow is a pretty miserable experience.

I'd strongly, STRONGLY recommend a pair of all season tires with the 3 peak snowflake. Michellen Cross Climate 2s or the Falken Wildpeak AT3s are both excellent choices.

I've tried both of those. The Michellins are BEASTLY. They EASILY took my AWD CX-5 up an iced out hill that was putting other cars and trucks in ditches on the side of the road. (Maybe 7 degrees incline and a combination of heavy freezing rain/snow)

The Wildpeaks did great in heavy, slushy late season snow (May in CO mountains) on my Maverick AWD.

I've also run an older Kia Sportage with cheap-o all seasons but AWD. It does 'okay' if you really baby it and drive judiciously. I never, not once, had to put chains on it to get where I needed - included over some gnarly mountain passes in CO during snowstorms and with spotty plow coverage.

 

[AutobahnSHO]

Most likely gonna get flamed for this, but IMHO if one is expecting to be out in such extreme weather that they feel chains are required then I would suggest going with AWD. The AWD system, on the Mav, promises, from what I have seen, to be a stellar performer in extreme weather conditions. I have lived in a state that sees extreme winter weather and never used a set of chains on a vehicle in my life and used to travel 30K a year in some of the worst weather imaginable. With that said, I did own my share of 4x4's with Haks or Blizzaks all the way around. To each their own for sure.

Sure but what if I buy my hybrid Mav for South Carolina where it will never see snow, but decide to drive home in Wyoming for Christmas?...

Totally agree that in shady weather areas AWD is a great thing. Plenty of people survive just fine without it though.

I've driven all over your area in winter (family) but I don't remember any "snow chains mandatory" mountain passes like in Utah/ Wyoming/ Colorado. When I moved to and away from Fort Drum we were in deep snow (different Januarys).

And funny enough my dad just bought a 2wd Tundra- yes he lives in an extremely snowy/hilly town but said he's been fine most of the time in his 90s Ranger without using the 4wd. Of course it makes a difference he's retired so if the white stuff is falling he can skip going out.

Everyone's situation may vary.

 

[Clock Doc]

@Mav as heck and @Bob The Builder

Most likely gonna get flamed for this, but IMHO if one is expecting to be out in such extreme weather that they feel chains are required then I would suggest going with AWD. The AWD system, on the Mav, promises, from what I have seen, to be a stellar performer in extreme weather conditions. I have lived in a state that sees extreme winter weather and never used a set of chains on a vehicle in my life and used to travel 30K a year in some of the worst weather imaginable. With that said, I did own my share of 4x4's with Haks or Blizzaks all the way around. To each their own for sure.

The Mav is the AWD. It's right there in my signature. As my post said no extra $ for snows this year. Lived in New England my entire life and started out driving rear wheel drive big V8s along with driving 35000lb Freightliners and Diamond Reo's.
I know how to drive therefore I know when to put on and take off chains. 99% of the time I won't need them.
I've been in many situations with my vehicles when if I wanted to safely get up that mountain or down I needed chains. For the most part snows are a must in winter, but again no cash for snows. All weather tires suck in wet sloppy or deep snow. So If I need to drive through a bad storm I will be able to.
Of course if you wanted to loan me the dough I'd get them when the truck comes in.
Oh and I would still have the chains in the truck just in case the snows can't cut it.

 

[Clock Doc]

Or only mount on rear tires assuming vertical clearance isn't an issue.

Thanks for the recommendation. I would not mount chains only on rears in an AWD. Your front wheels get most of the braking and in bad conditions with more traction at the rear those chains will push your front end. AWD chains should be all four or just fronts if you can't do all wheels. This way you maintain control under heavy braking.

 

[Clock Doc]

@paneubert, @C from SF, @Timothyd,
Thanks for the recommendations!
I will look at those.

 

[paneubert]

Thanks for the recommendation. I would not mount chains only on rears in an AWD. Your front wheels get most of the braking and in bad conditions with more traction at the rear those chains will push your front end. AWD chains should be all four or just fronts if you can't do all wheels. This way you maintain control under heavy braking.

If you want your brain to explode, read the Maverick Manual where it talks about chains and which wheels they should go on. Haha.

I agree that if I could only do two on an AWD, I would do the front, mostly since the engine makes the front end heavier/more mass over the wheels there when braking. But if I cant clear the wells with my chains in the front when I crank left or right, and I feel like I really need chains at that moment, back tire only chains is reluctantly going to be what happens for me. I do have chains for all 4 tires, so that will be the default if it is possible! I'll test it out as soon as my truck arrives.

 

[Bob The Builder]

@Mav as heck and @Bob The Builder


The Mav is the AWD. It's right there in my signature. As my post said no extra $ for snows this year. Lived in New England my entire life and started out driving rear wheel drive big V8s along with driving 35000lb Freightliners and Diamond Reo's.
I know how to drive therefore I know when to put on and take off chains. 99% of the time I won't need them.
I've been in many situations with my vehicles when if I wanted to safely get up that mountain or down I needed chains. For the most part snows are a must in winter, but again no cash for snows. All weather tires suck in wet sloppy or deep snow. So If I need to drive through a bad storm I will be able to.
Of course if you wanted to loan me the dough I'd get them when the truck comes in.
Oh and I would still have the chains in the truck just in case the snows can't cut it.

Like I said, to each their own for sure. Enjoy your new Maverick when it comes it. As for the loan, sorry, by the sounds of things, I'm as broke as you are and we're buying the most cheapish truck in America. If I end up getting one.

 

[Clock Doc]

If you want your brain to explode, read the Maverick Manual where it talks about chains and which wheels they should go on. Haha.

I agree that if I could only do two on an AWD, I would do the front, mostly since the engine makes the front end heavier/more mass over the wheels there when braking. But if I cant clear the wells with my chains in the front when I crank left or right, and I feel like I really need chains at that moment, back tire only chains is reluctantly going to be what happens for me. I do have chains for all 4 tires, so that will be the default if it is possible! I'll test it out as soon as my truck arrives.

Absolutely agree there. Gotta do what you gotta do when you gotta do it.
I can't wait to check out all the stuff that they recommend in that book. lol
I have called Auto makers in the past to ask the tech guys questions and their answers never match the manual or each other! Lol.

 

[paneubert]

I can't wait to check out all the stuff that they recommend in that book. lol

You can download a PDF of it if you want a sneak peek. Makes it easy to do a "word search" for topics in Adobe.

Here is what you will find related to tire chains.

"The snow chains or cables must be mounted in pairs on the rear tires only."

 

[TheWizziard]

You can download a PDF of it if you want a sneak peek. Makes it easy to do a "word search" for topics in Adobe.

Here is what you will find related to tire chains.

"The snow chains or cables must be mounted in pairs on the rear tires only."

If you included a link it doesn't work.

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