Anyone Found Snow Cable Chains (or Chain Links) For Their 21" Tires?

[crashmtb]

I'm going to suggest that the advice coming from flat Manitoba might not be what the mountain man who started this thread needs.

I was surprised to see that Rivian states you can't use chains on the 20" AT's. Though I suspect you could get away with some non-aggressive ones with the suspension in high. That's what I plan to do.

Snow chains are technically "ice chains" if you spend time in the mountains in winter. It's ice under the compressed, even well plowed snow that is the problem. In the backcountry ski areas I frequent, they are mandatory and essential. Lest you and the tow truck end up like this...

I know how chains work, we have ice and snow here too. Ice isn’t only slippery in mountains.
Guess where I go skiing! Hint: it’s BC.

But most places in the US that require chains require them because people don’t have winter tires.
califonia for instance will close the road long before actually kicking in an R3 condition.

Sponsored

 

[Zool]

Oh god man. Just stop. Stop at 3070 posts.

 

[yizzung]

We get up to 4' of snow, not all at once. last winter was only 2'. I really just want them as back up if I get up into the mountains or get stuck. About 10 miles up that way likely to be 50% more. I've never had 4WD before, so I'm not sure how well it will work. Your information is encouraging, Thanks!

My $0.02 is to just save your money and wait. I also do a lot of winter snow driving in the Pacific NW (I-80 over Donner Pass). 22 years of M+S tire with AWD has always been good enough for me and I'm hoping that four independent motors will result in even more confident performance.

Snowsocks seem like a pain (just like chains) and you're probably limited to 25 MPH when they're on (just like chains). You also typically don't need them when you have M+S and AWD except for really gnarly roads. At least in my neck of the CA woods.

My only worry is that the Rivian is as heavy as like two of my current car. Does that mean it'll do better or worse in snow? IDK. I ordered 21s (ATs were not available) and am debating getting a set of 20" ATs to put on cheap wheels that fit (although those don't seem to exist yet). We'll see if I need them.

 

[orionexp]

I'm going to suggest that the advice coming from flat Manitoba might not be what the mountain man who started this thread needs.

I was surprised to see that Rivian states you can't use chains on the 20" AT's. Though I suspect you could get away with some non-aggressive ones with the suspension in high. That's what I plan to do.

Snow chains are technically "ice chains" if you spend time in the mountains in winter. It's ice under the compressed, even well plowed snow that is the problem. In the backcountry ski areas I frequent, they are mandatory and essential. Lest you and the tow truck end up like this...

Exactly, it’s potential ice under snow that’s concerning. We get a lot of melting and refreezing as temps warm. For your 20” I’ve seen a lot of plastic type traction devices.

 

[orionexp]

My $0.02 is to just save your money and wait. I also do a lot of winter snow driving in the Pacific NW (I-80 over Donner Pass). 22 years of M+S tire with AWD has always been good enough for me and I'm hoping that four independent motors will result in even more confident performance.

Snowsocks seem like a pain (just like chains) and you're probably limited to 25 MPH when they're on (just like chains). You also typically don't need them when you have M+S and AWD except for really gnarly roads. At least in my neck of the CA woods.

My only worry is that the Rivian is as heavy as like two of my current car. Does that mean it'll do better or worse in snow? IDK. I ordered 21s (ATs were not available) and am debating getting a set of 20" ATs to put on cheap wheels that fit (although those don't seem to exist yet). We'll see if I need them.

Heavy can be good. Compact even better. I used to drive city buses in many bad snow storms. Sometimes the bus was the only thing moving. The ones with rear wheel drive and the engine compartment above that did really well. We had some 60 foot articulated buses with the drive wheels in the middle, and they were pure crap. It wasn’t till we got some 60 footers with the engine in the back that were OK but not as good as the 30 and 40 foot buses. And the 30s were rock stars. Sorry to digress. But I am hopeful that that weight is going to help a lot.

 

[yizzung]

Heavy can be good. Compact even better. I used to drive city buses in many bad snow storms. Sometimes the bus was the only thing moving. The ones with rear wheel drive and the engine compartment above that did really well. We had some 60 foot articulated buses with the drive wheels in the middle, and they were pure crap. It wasn’t till we got some 60 footers with the engine in the back that were OK but not as good as the 30 and 40 foot buses. And the 30s were rock stars. Sorry to digress. But I am hopeful that that weight is going to help a lot.

Rivian weighs about as much as a city bus so this gives me hope!

 

[crashmtb]

Oh god man. Just stop. Stop at 3070 posts.

The day my R1T arrives or I give up and cancel the preorder, whichever comes first, is the day I burn my login for this forum.

until then, what are you going to do? Tire chain me up? ???????

 

[COdogman]

Here we actually have a vehicle traction law that requires people have vehicles and/ or tires (or traction devices like chains) during winter. They only enforce it during snow storms and only on certain highways, but since they passed this I do notice fewer vehicles littering the sides of I-70 after a snowstorm.

I still like my AT tires just for peace of mind, but a 4WD with M+S rated tires does pass the test. As long as you know how to drive in the snow/ ice you should be fine.

https://www.codot.gov/travel/winter-driving/tractionlaw

 

[nfrank]

I just bought these on Amazon ($55 for used-like new). They seem to fit well without actually driving on them yet. The 275/55R21 size is listed on the manufacturers website.

 

[Tonicart]

I just bought these on Amazon ($55 for used-like new). They seem to fit well without actually driving on them yet. The 275/55R21 size is listed on the manufacturers website.

Finally a helpful response. Have you had a chance to use them yet? I want to go to Sequoia park this weekend and didn't realize we were going to need chains. May need to look for some at a local shop.

 

[nfrank]

Finally a helpful response. Have you had a chance to use them yet? I want to go to Sequoia park this weekend and didn't realize we were going to need chains. May need to look for some at a local shop.

I'm heading up to the snow in two weeks (assuming it hasn't melted off). I have installed them and seem like a good fit. I'd suggest buying them

 

[Milermore]

Just make sure the chains are tight against the rubber on the backside of the tire.
Looking at the pics of those chains, it should be fine; But there is a risk of damaging the lines in back if you have a bad fit.

 

[AllInev]

Just bought these:

SZ462 Super Z8 8mm Commercial and Light Truck Tire Traction Chain - Set of 2

https://a.co/d/25ljcRo

 

[scottiedoo]

How is the clearance on the inside between the wheel and the upper control arm? Did you drive to see if they rubbed or had any issues?

Sponsored