“All-season” tires are not dependable enough to provide traction in severe winter conditions. However, a new set of tires may not be a good choice for some people who are going up in the mountains for a weekend (in some areas snow chains are also required).
Snow chains can be used to temporarily fix this issue. By rigging up metal chains to your tires, you are essentially obtaining the ability to dig through slippery surfaces in a way that all-season tires do not. You should, however, drive carefully to prevent dislodged chains.
There are a number of tire chains we recommend for Plowing. Clearly, chains need to have both performance and durability, so they can safely drive on ice and snow without the chains falling apart midway. Installing and removing snow chains is notoriously hard, a reputation that was earned for good reasons. We have also selected some high-end picks that provide quick and painless setups. Budget-friendly options are also offered that may not have these features, but are ideal when not frequently needed.
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Konig CB-12
Konig’s CB-12 chains are less expensive than some of his other offerings. You’ll need to adjust the tension of these chains yourself when you attach them to your tires due to the cheaper price. Once you’ve driven for a while, you won’t need to tighten them too often. Rather than being uber fancy like ones found on its more expensive products, these have a simple locking mechanism that protects your wheels from scratches. They are easy to install, as are most tire chains. Be sure to double-check Konig’s website before purchasing to ensure these chains are compatible with your vehicle.
When you think of snow chains, you first think of the Peerless Auto-Trac snow chains. Using self-tightening latches, the chains are automatically tightened to the proper tension, taking the hassle out of ensuring they are aligned properly. A radial chain with a large-linked pattern does not provide great traction on snow like a diamond pattern does. Despite their relatively light weight and high durability, the steel is made with manganese alloy. These chains aren’t good for blazing through snow. The maximum speed they can reach is 30 mph.
You can prepare your car for winter by installing snow chains. Getting your car washed is also important, as is completing any upcoming maintenance. Knowing how to handle mixed weather conditions will make you more confident when driving in the snow, even with snow chains.
Security Chain Company Super Z6 Cable Tire Chain
The Super Z6 tire chains from Security Chain Company will fit most vehicles, no matter what kind of vehicle you have. Cable-based chains are extremely slim and take up less than 1/4 inch of wheel well space. Also, these snow chains are really easy to install, since there’s no need to remove the tire or move the vehicle. You won’t need to keep checking to make sure the tire chains are still in place with these chains, as they are fitted with a rubber tension.
Quality Chain Cobra
The Quality Chain Cobra tire chains are an excellent choice if you want a budget-friendly tire chain. They are cable-based and have low-profile steel rollers for optimum tire-to-road contact. Additionally, the rollers are galvanized to prevent rusting during the winter. In addition, the chains will be easy to install since your car will not have to move backward and forward. A major disadvantage of these chains is that they come with separate rubber adjusters for fitting the chains over your tires.
Konig XG-12 Pro
There are a few chains on this list more expensive than the Konig XG-12 Pro. In exchange for an incredibly high price, however, these chains feature some incredible engineering. With Konig’s chains, you can prevent them from pulling away from your tires by micro-regulating the tension. The chain has an interesting design, as you can see when you examine it. The purpose is to maximize traction in wintry conditions. You won’t have to worry about scratching your wheels with these chains, either, since they come with scratch-resistant nylon bumpers.
Suptempo Emergency Anti-Slip Tire Traction Chains
The traction chains supplied by Suptempo aren’t really chains. As a result, they are like tire grippers. Three of these chains are needed for each tire, unlike chains that fit around the entire tire. Grasping the snow is provided by the nine alloy steel nails on each chain. There are certainly a few disadvantages to them, but they aren’t as straightforward as regular chains. They’re cheaper, lighter, and do not need to be adjusted once installed. Less grip in wintry conditions is a disadvantage, as are their short run times.