Autosocks experience & towing in the snow

[sub]

Same, I thought you want to "punch through" rather than float on top. Maybe it's different in deeper snow and with socks though.

Here's a comparison where they tested different tire sizes to see which performed better in the snow: narrow (punch through) or wide (larger contact patch)

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[WSea]

Here's a comparison where they tested different tire sizes to see which performed better in the snow: narrow (punch through) or wide (larger contact patch)

And?

 

[ElGuapo]

Are the AL69s really about $260/tire? I guess it’s worth it if you need it, just seems like a lot of money.

 

[SPITmadFIRE]

Do you feel things help over, say, studded snow tires?

There's no way socks outperform studded tires. Studded tires outperform even most chains on both snow and ice. From what I understand about socks is they're great on snow, but less so on ice.

 

[SPITmadFIRE]

Are the AL69s really about $260/tire? I guess it’s worth it if you need it, just seems like a lot of money.

They're sold as a pair. With shipping and tax to CA it's $260 a pair.

 

[ElGuapo]

They're sold as a pair. With shipping and tax to CA it's $260 a pair.

Thank you. That makes much more sense. The descriptions I saw didn’t mention that. But that’s what I get for reading too fast while I wait for .50!

 

[usulio]

And?

That video said tire width basically doesn't matter. Small differences in performance of +- 5%. Different width tires is presumably different than airing down, but not sure how much. I would think the surface matters a lot too, this was kind of packed snow.

 

[Glongo]

My friends' experience with socks is that they tear up in a very short time when the road surface isn't covered in snow.

This is the case. I used them several times (10 - 15 probably) last year on a different vehicle. They started to look a bit frayed but useable at the end of the season. If I wasn’t lazy and took them off the minute I hit pavement, they would be in better shape.

Additional note: if you are in snow and they become wet, do not leave them on overnight! They freeze up and are almost impossible to remove.

i did buy them for the Riv before winter; just haven’t needed to use them yet.

 

[kanundrum]

Would this work/make sense for 22s where we get snow maybe once every few years?

 

[RexRemus]

Would this work/make sense for 22s where we get snow maybe once every few years?

I grabbed them as I feel it's better to have them and not need them than to get caught in a storm and be wishing I could pull over and greatly improve my chances of getting home. Particularly when the 22s are probably not going to do terribly great in any sort of real snow on their own.

You will want to look at the HP 870s vs AL69s for this wheel size

 

[sfvR1S]

^^^^^ This

At $220 per PAIR - i'm not likely to get a set of 4

After I placed the order, realized it's for a pair, not a set. So now I have a pair of autosocks in my frunk along with other recovery gear.

Debating whether I should buy another pair or since these probably won't get used unless something unforeseen happens, if I can get by on with just 2 on rear.

 

[kylealden]

After I placed the order, realized it's for a pair, not a set. So now I have a pair of autosocks in my frunk along with other recovery gear.

Debating whether I should buy another pair or since these probably won't get used unless something unforeseen happens, if I can get by on with just 2 on rear.

I think 2 on the rear is the recommendation and should be fine for anything but some truly extreme stuff. I initially bought two pairs just anticipating one wearing out an an inopportune time, and only used them both becaues I had the trailer and no traction devices for it.

 

[ekirkpatrick]

I got to (had to) try out my AutoSocks for the first time coming over Santiam Pass on Saturday, towing a 20ft trailer. A few folks have asked about it so I figured I'd share a very brief report.

For those who aren't aware, Rivian recommends against using chains or cables on the 20" wheels due to clearance, so the only option is AutoSocks. They are nylon/fiber wheel wrappings that work similar to (arguably better than) chains in ice and snow, and satisfy DOT requirements for chaining up when needed.

Long story short, they worked out great in both snow and ice and seemed to hold up well over about 15-20 miles over the summit (I kept it below 30 mph). They're eerily like driving on velcro once they're mounted - lots of traction even compared to the Blizzak LT tires I'm already running.

Because I'm planning to take the trailer to lots of ski areas and there's a blizzard incoming, I've got another pair on order for the trailer since it technically needs its own.

The socks themselves are super easy to work with, you just slip the sock over the top of the wheels and as far down the sides you can, pull the truck forward a half rotation, and repeat for (what was) the bottom. I raised the suspension all the way to make it easier to get my hands in there but it really couldn’t be easier - no straps/links/clips, just an elastic like a fitted sheet. 3-5 minutes tops and it was my first time.

Removing them is almost harder just because they really cling to the wheels once they get cold and waterlogged, and they’re a bit of a mess to shake out and dry overnight afterwards, but it beats repacking chains.

As for the drive itself, the R1T was an absolute dream taking my Basecamp 20X over the pass. I left a HipCamp in Sublimity, OR around noon heading for Sisters. Once we saw the chain requirement and increasing snow in the forecast, we decided to charge an extra 10-20% at Detroit Lake (50kw charger there) just in case we got stuck and had to spend the night, but we would have been fine without it.

The trip computer was bang-on for the range (after about 400 miles towing this trailer so far to calibrate), and we arrived with pretty much exactly the forecasted range even after climbing through the snow. Overall I'm average 1.1 mi/kWh including lots of 65+ mph highway time and the mountain passes.

The trailer tracks great, the brake controller is super well integrated, and I never had a single moment of concern in the snow. Naturally I'd love a bit more range but beyond that, the R1T really slays snow and is an effortless tow vehicle.

Excellent post! Rivian pay attention to this subject because you need to have advice for us who have 275/65/20's.

 

[vcao]

There's no way socks outperform studded tires. Studded tires outperform even most chains on both snow and ice. From what I understand about socks is they're great on snow, but less so on ice.

It depends if the sock aggregates snow. The sock works because essentially snow on snow is your traction. Socks work on icy conditions as well under the same principle where you have snow contact with the ice. I assume studs will outperform on ice as well since the studs are digging into the ice.

 

[ekirkpatrick]

Thanks for info. Don't plan on doing much driving in snow, but bought a set just in case.

So far I've purchased the following for my R1S:

Center console organizer
USB C 90 degree adapter
Type C microsd card reader
Frunk, 3 row, and trunk mats
Windshield heat shield
Polyurethane recoil air hose & coupler
Bungee cargo net
10T bottle jack
Set of jack pucks
2 cargo tie down
Cargo cover
Autosocks
Compact spare (to be installed next month)

It's getting to be a long list...

Yeah all of us have this kind of accessories. What type compact spare do you have?

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