cable question (snow)

[wyld thang]

okay, so if I buy a pair of cables, which wheels would be the most effective with 4wd? dealing with steep, tight turned roads is the biggest concern, so for control.

where I used to live if people were serious about getting in and out they'd cable up all wheels and it worked like a breeze as long as they had clearance.

[wyld thang]

ps, while I was never allowed to drive in the snow, guess who was the one who put on the cables? an old piece of backpacker pad is da bomb...hub put them on the back, but like I said, the control was crappy(high crowned slushy frozen twisty steep roads)

[vicker]

I always use them on the back. If you're real serious use two pair. I've never had cables, will they stand heavy use? I would recommend chains (the ones with cam locks for tightening) if you are serious. Again though, I've no experience with the cables. With the chains, you put them on, drive a couple hundred yards and tighten, then again after a mile or so. After that you a golden.

[vicker]

When I lived in my cabin I had to put them on and take them off 2-3 times a day. It's not much once you get used to it. Practice before you need them.

[wyld thang]

thanks Vicker! yeah, I was the one that got to put on the cables

not heavy use, would like to do some stuff up in the snow (I hear you laughing Laura!) would be nice to have just in case. ha!so far the shovel, tow straps and comealong have worked great ha!

[vicker]

Yes, if you want them just in case, and on a road the cables should be fine. Don't do any hot rodding though.

[Laura]

Seriously not laughing.

As far as I know, cables are for the smaller vehicles with no wheel clearance. I had a pair for my subies and NEVER used them. I did see them all over the roads on the ice, so they do break easily.

Chains are what I know. Chains go on your drive wheels. The level of Chain Control goes:

Chains or Snow Tires Required
Chains or 4X4 with Snow Tires Required
Chains Required on All Vehicles-----At this point traffic is not being let into the snow area, but being moved downhill to wet pavement

By time you're running chains on all 4 of the 4X4, it's to get out of the snow or you're essential DOT.

Speed limit with chains is 25 mph, which is why I don't put chains on. That and I actually slide more with chains than naked snow tires. Chains are good for biting the ice if you need to slam on brakes, but I don't have those in the snow.

Sooooo.........if you're going to chain up a 4X4, chain all 4.

If you're gonna go with cables, do all 4 because you're gonna throw at least one.

Keep your chains on the front floorboard with the heater blowing on them, take them out and put them on one at a time. Warm chains are much nicer to put on than cold ones. Drape them over the top of the tire, reach and hook up the inside first, pull toward you hook. Goose vehicle about 3 feet and retighten the chains.

Simple enough even I can do it in a dress.

[vicker]

I should have clarified, once you are on the road, you won't need the 4WD. 4WD will only make you more liable to skid during normal driving.

[oregon woodsmok]

Bite the bullet and invest in a set of studded tires.

[coolrunnin]

If you are using cables or chains, use them on all 4 corners for the best control and keep your speed to under 30 or you will just throw them off.

Best bet if you gotta chain up for paved roads stay off the roads, it's the other guy thats gonna get you killed...

Also they have a new product called tire socks easy to install and they are reported to work better than chains.

http://www.tirechainsrequired.com/weiss-sock.html

[Malamute]

Chains are far more effective when put on the front with a 4wd or front wheel drive vehicle. I've never needed to chain up the rear. Chains are good for deep snow as well as mud, not just ice. The best chains have studs on the cross chains for traction, not just the plain cross chains.

Chains are generally recomended to be used with tighteners, which are basically rubber bands with hooks to keep the chains tighter on the wheel. I use bungee cords. If the chains are tight enough, you dont need the tighteners so much. I've used the bungees to keep the loose ends of the chains that are past the latches from slapping around.

I've seen people jacking a vehicle up to put chains on, but that seems crazy to me. Lay the chains out on the ground ahead of the wheels, drive onto them, wrap them around the wheel and hook them, recheck for tight, and go down the road. It's easier to hook them on the front of the wheel, rather than up in the wheel well. Some chains have an inside and outside of each chain also.

Knee pads are handy for roadside problems like flat tires and putting chains on. It's nice keeping clean and dry. I keep an old pair of gloves handy also.

I've driven 45 or so with chains on, but they need to be tight. Any faster and it gets a bit weird. I've only thrown a chain once, when the latch broke in deep mud and rocky nasty stuff. It wasnt a speed issue. The info that comes with the chains may give some further enlightenment.

[jwal10]

For deep snow I like them on the front of a 4 wheel drive. I could push snow in friont of the truck. Better steering and braking. I only run 4 on plow trucks. Now solid ice or black ice, sleet or freezing rain I would put them on all 4....James

[vicker]

The ones with the cam locks tightened up tight as a drum after the second time, and aren't coming off. I don't know where y'all live, but I had to have chains every day to get out to the two lane road at least, and then again to get up the hill to work. reverse coming home. 45mph is about the right high speed. sometimes I'd have to drive on the plowed road to the big hill on the two lane with my chains on, it was pretty much 25mph then.
I think WT is just wanting something to have in case she gets in a little trouble on the road.

[DianneIverson2]

I don't care what anyone says about studded tires. When I drove 63 miles one way to work every day, I thanked the spirits every day for my studs.. You'll have to pry them out of my cold dead fingers before I get rid of mine. Plus, I love love love my 1999 Subaru . Every time I drive it in the snow, I say to myself I love my car , I love my car. I also keep quick fit cables in it just in case.

[Ramblin Wreck]

The cables would go on the dominant pulling wheels, which on most truck framed based SUV's is the rear wheels. On 4x4's built on car type frames (and all FWD cars...duh), it's usually the front wheels that get most of the power. Good luck getting up and down the hills safely.

[Malamute]

Originally Posted by DianneIverson2

I don't care what anyone says about studded tires.....

I think studs are great. Not all states allow them I think, and some require them to be removed after a certain date each spring.

Siping your tires can help also. Thats cutting small grooves across the tread bars to give grip on ice and snow. New tires have the tiny grooves, but when worn a bit, they dont grab as well. Some tire shops sipe tires. I think it was $10 each, last time I checked.

[elkhound]

v-bar chains...on the front of my pick-up.a state trooper told me doesnt matter if you can go if you can steer and keep it out of the ditch.been using on front only since 1990.v-bars are expensive but they stop you on solid ice.

[Shrek]

My best snow and Ice vehicle is my 86 Subaru fwd GL wagon. Most times when we got snow and ice I dont even need chains on the front wheels.

[wyld thang]

Hey! thanks for all the advice! as soon as I can I will get a pair of chains to throw in the truck to have in case. It seems each winter I go somewhere where it would be *really nice* to have that extra peace of mind (hahahaa!)--I'm talking going on backcountry dirt roads way out nowhere with switchbacks and really steep narrow stuff with dropoffs etc. Ha, gotta love those backcountry hotsprings ha!

I made it up to my friend's house and back down with no worries. It was *dry* enough in the ruts to get up there, and there was enough gravel exposed and cold enough for some sticky traction coming back down on the iced up road (in 4lo).

For what it's worth he says everyone puts the chains on the front wheels(4wd), and his road is a nasty narrow twisty switchbacky thing, if you go off the road you go into the river.

OMG, the mountains...and the water. so good to drink mountain water again.


Otherwise I carry in my truck tow straps, a comealong, those blue rubber gloves, a mat, kneepads, a shovel, an axe (water, bed, inverter, snacks, blah blah blah)

[Laura]

I want details....

Pics or it didn't happen.