Snow tire chain recommendations?

[Ceejay]

https://www.rubitracks.com/rubitrackssnow

I would definitely watch a video of a Rivian on these

And for a comparison of socks and chains

ha well maybe the socks vs. chains

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[pointless]

Good Autosock infomercial.

Probably not a bad idea to have a pair stowed in case the requirement arises.

 

[MountainBikeDude]

https://www.rubitracks.com/rubitrackssnow

I would definitely watch a video of a Rivian on these

And for a comparison of socks and chains

ha well maybe the socks vs. chains

I watched this from TFL the other day, and was surprised by the results.also decent little test loop they did putting them through different conditions etc.

I'll probably pick up a set of the K&K's for my truck next year, this one is already a write off due to poor snow.

 

[ElGuano]

I am always surprised by snow sock performance, but they always consistently do much, much better than you would think.

Considering how light they are and how easy they are to install, I'd say they're a no-brainer to carry around if you have a chance of driving in snow.

One thing I've repeatedly seen - socks are really not effective on ice, so be careful (black ice, icy roads).

 

[Dave Cundiff]

We live near the top of a short but very steep hill. In three places, sliding off the road will put us into a ravine. So winter driving is a high-stakes issue for the last half-mile or so.

I asked a lot of nosy questions and had our tire center try Spikes-Spider traction elements (whose chains only go under the treads, with plastic connection elements on the outside of the wheel) on all four positions of our R1S.

***

In this research, I found the following, applicable to standard 275/55R21 or 275/50R22 tires but NOT to standard OEM 20" tires (which have larger circumference):

(1) Front wheel wells do NOT have enough space to allow the full turning arc with chains, even the nothing-on-the-inside chain elements of Spikes-Spider. Rivian is right about the front wheels -- use socks only, and consider buying the best snow tires you can find.

(2) In all but the lowest position, the rear wheel wells DO have enough space for Spikes-Spiders. In case of chain breakage, Rivian staff informally told me that there's no critical function housed next to the rear wheel well covers.

***

So my winter configuration and plan is:

(1) Michelin X-Ice Snow tires at all four positions.

(2) Spikes-Spider hub attachments on rear wheels, with traction elements at the ready whenever snow or ice are possible.

(3) Will soon order Auto-Socks for both front wheels.

***

Best to all!

 

[Ceejay]

I am always surprised by snow sock performance, but they always consistently do much, much better than you would think.

Considering how light they are and how easy they are to install, I'd say they're a no-brainer to carry around if you have a chance of driving in snow.

One thing I've repeatedly seen - socks are really not effective on ice, so be careful (black ice, icy roads).

ya,

We live near the top of a short but very steep hill. In three places, sliding off the road will put us into a ravine. So winter driving is a high-stakes issue for the last half-mile or so.

I asked a lot of nosy questions and had our tire center try Spikes-Spider traction elements (whose chains only go under the treads, with plastic connection elements on the outside of the wheel) on all four positions of our R1S.

***

In this research, I found the following, applicable to standard 275/55R21 or 275/50R22 tires but NOT to standard OEM 20" tires (which have larger circumference):

(1) Front wheel wells do NOT have enough space to allow the full turning arc with chains, even the nothing-on-the-inside chain elements of Spikes-Spider. Rivian is right about the front wheels -- use socks only, and consider buying the best snow tires you can find.

(2) In all but the lowest position, the rear wheel wells DO have enough space for Spikes-Spiders. In case of chain breakage, Rivian staff informally told me that there's no critical function housed next to the rear wheel well covers.

***

So my winter configuration and plan is:

(1) Michelin X-Ice Snow tires at all four positions.

(2) Spikes-Spider hub attachments on rear wheels, with traction elements at the ready whenever snow or ice are possible.

(3) Will soon order Auto-Socks for both front wheels.

***

Best to all!

helpful, thanks. I suspected that chains could go on rear wheels, even 20" wheels with a tire diameter of 34", with vehicle in high position, but I'll get back to this thread once I test out fit.

 

[usulio]

ya,

helpful, thanks. I suspected that chains could go on rear wheels, even 20" wheels with a tire diameter of 34", with vehicle in high position, but I'll get back to this thread once I test out fit.

I suspect so as well, though I went with 33" winter tires for this reason. Let us know what you find.

In a truly messy situation, I'd be fine putting chains on my front 33"s as well and just avoid turning full lock or exceeding 10mph. Maybe my risk tolerance for damage is higher than others. But, I don't actually have a second pair of chains.

Is your situation deep snow or ice?

 

[usulio]

https://www.rubitracks.com/rubitrackssnow

I would definitely watch a video of a Rivian on these

https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/...s-high-2-low-and-play-dirty.51199/post-900300

 

[Ceejay]

I suspect so as well, though I went with 33" winter tires for this reason. Let us know what you find.

In a truly messy situation, I'd be fine putting chains on my front 33"s as well and just avoid turning full lock or exceeding 10mph. Maybe my risk tolerance for damage is higher than others. But, I don't actually have a second pair of chains.

Is your situation deep snow or ice?

Will do... the situation here at my house on occasion (e.g., once every two winters perhaps) is deep snow at a temp just below zero such that it's crazy slippery), but the local recreation area with required chains is an ice situation

 

[MountainBikeDude]

Will do... the situation here at my house on occasion (e.g., once every two winters perhaps) is deep snow at a temp just below zero such that it's crazy slippery), but the local recreation area with required chains is an ice situation

Be careful. I bought a set of Super Z8's and returned them.

They are great in the snow, but Rivians have a surprisingly tight wheel well, and above 20 kph, in all drive modes (Edit, and heights), they come in contact with the forward and rear liners. The photo with my hand there and chains shows how little clearance there is. You can also see the darker spots without snow in the areas mentioned where the chains came in contact with the truck.

Also, be mindful of the cables on the inside face of the tire.

 

[zefram47]

Be careful. I bought a set of Super Z8's and returned them.

They are great in the snow, but Rivians have a surprisingly tight wheel well, and above 20 kph, in all drive modes (Edit, and heights), they come in contact with the forward and rear liners. The photo with my hand there and chains shows how little clearance there is. You can also see the darker spots without snow in the areas mentioned where the chains came in contact with the truck.

Also, be mindful of the cables on the inside face of the tire.

Guess I'll just remove those from my saved for later list. Were they passable for the rears, or both ends it was a no-go?

 

[ElGuano]

+1, there are a few videos that show how (surprisingly) chains/cables splay out when rotating at speed.

I couldn't get as good an angle, but when I looked with Alphatrax webbing "chains," they didn't seem to do the same. And of course, snow socks would not have the same problems.

 

[MountainBikeDude]

Guess I'll just remove those from my saved for later list. Were they passable for the rears, or both ends it was a no-go?

Almost. but you can hear them hitting while inside the cab. The video of the rear, if you watch it carefully you can see how the chains start to pull away from the middle of the tire most visible toward the front of the tire just before it makes contact with the ground.

While I wanted them for my off road adventures, my wife also wanted them so she could use them for snowshoeing. In the end, I was weary of the damage they would cause at low speeds, and the total prick of trying to get them on even for me, would have been impossible for her.

I really wanted them to work, in spite of all the threads and comments saying they likely wouldn't.

 

[Ceejay]

Be careful. I bought a set of Super Z8's and returned them.

They are great in the snow, but Rivians have a surprisingly tight wheel well, and above 20 kph, in all drive modes (Edit, and heights), they come in contact with the forward and rear liners. The photo with my hand there and chains shows how little clearance there is. You can also see the darker spots without snow in the areas mentioned where the chains came in contact with the truck.

Also, be mindful of the cables on the inside face of the tire.

Thanks for the heads up... if winter comes back I'll get a chance to try out the chains I picked up. Fair point that when wheels are rotating the chains fling outward

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