Snow Chains

[FlyingAvocado]

Has anyone found 12mm chains that fit the 275/45 the Summit Reserve tires/wheels?

I know the right best solution here is just to get a set of snow rated all terrain wheels, but I'm not able to drop $2k right now on a set of wheels and need to get them today as I was planning to head up into the mountains this evening. There was a bit of snow last night and chains are now required on the roads getting up there.

 

[SweetAndLow]

Has anyone found 12mm chains that fit the 275/45 the Summit Reserve tires/wheels?

I know the right best solution here is just to get a set of snow rated all terrain wheels, but I'm not able to drop $2k right now on a set of wheels and need to get them today as I was planning to head up into the mountains this evening. There was a bit of snow last night and chains are now required on the roads getting up there.

What tires do you have I think they are probably m+s rated already. Depending on your laws you probably won't need to put on your chains only carry them in the vehicle.

Personally I just use snow socks to be legal as I'll never actually install them because I run dedicated winter tires. You can get those and they are just as good as chains.

 

[PiotrB]

I dont get why people in US dont really invest in winter tires, its 20x times better on snow than "all season tires". So you can feel safe even in deep snow. Even cheap winter tires are good. Pay 1-2k for tires and $150 a year to switch them during winter. Trust me you will never regret that decision.

 

[SweetAndLow]

I dont get why people in US dont really invest in winter tires, its 20x times better on snow than "all season tires". So you can feel safe even in deep snow. Even cheap winter tires are good. Pay 1-2k for tires and $150 a year to switch them during winter. Trust me you will never regret that decision.

It's all old school mentality that it's skill that lets you drive in snow better, so no need for silly tires. It's also about cost, but in reality your tires will last twice as long when you have 2 sets, I just have mine on a second set of wheels so I don't even pay to switch them and can do it whenever. People also don't realize winter tires are not just for snow, they perform better than all seasons/terrains when temps drop into the 40's.

I agree once you make the switch you never go back, it's night and day difference.

 

[PiotrB]

It's all old school mentality that it's skill that lets you drive in snow better, so no need for silly tires. It's also about cost, but in reality your tires will last twice as long when you have 2 sets, I just have mine on a second set of wheels so I don't even pay to switch them and can do it whenever. People also don't realize winter tires are not just for snow, they perform better than all seasons/terrains when temps drop into the 40's.

I agree once you make the switch you never go back, it's night and day difference.

I remember when I went to colorado during winter with my hyundai elantra and somebody just told me "oh man u will need 4x4 to drive there" and Im like ok hold my beer. Performed way better in my elantra with winter tires than all shitty 4x4 all season tires combined lol

Still waiting for my jeep, but once ill get it, going to buy one set of winter tires.

2wd with winter tires > 4wd with all season tires

 

[Jake22]

18x8" directional~hubcentric winter combo

 

[wowsa]

It's all old school mentality that it's skill that lets you drive in snow better, so no need for silly tires. It's also about cost, but in reality your tires will last twice as long when you have 2 sets, I just have mine on a second set of wheels so I don't even pay to switch them and can do it whenever. People also don't realize winter tires are not just for snow, they perform better than all seasons/terrains when temps drop into the 40's.

I agree once you make the switch you never go back, it's night and day difference.

100% this.

People will buy 6 different pairs of shoes so they have one for every season but are too cheap to have a second set of tires that are proven to make your vehicle safer in the winter.

Wear one pair of jeans everyday and it will last a year. Alternate two pairs of jeans and they will combined last you two years-same thing for the tires. So it doesn’t cost you anything extra from tire cost. Just rims.

I put mine on a second set of rims and keep them with the car so maybe 6 years total. This means at the end I spent about $100 per year to have the increased safety. Math would be purchase price of extra wheels and Tpms sensors minus salvage price of wheels and Tpms sensors when I sell them. Bonus of the snow tires still have some life and I can sell hose too.

 

[FlyingAvocado]

I fully intend to invest in a set of AT snow rated tires. Here in California they park CHP officers at the base of the mountain roads, and fully enforce chain restrictions... Since I had a commitment to be there, I was in a bit of a panic.

However, @SweetAndLow was correct, the cross contact tires on the SR are M+S rated, so I probably would have been fine if I just tossed any old set of chains in the vehicle to point at and say, "Yup! I've got chains!" I realize this isn't a responsible solution though, and will be getting a set of 18" AT wheels/tires.

The next issue will be figuring out where to store the big ass 21" wheels in my rather small house. I know I can sell them pretty quick, but I want to hang onto them if I can. One thing is certain, the family isn't going to go for the dining room tire-table solution. 😉

 

[SweetAndLow]

I fully intend to invest in a set of AT snow rated tires. Here in California they park CHP officers at the base of the mountain roads, and fully enforce chain restrictions... Since I had a commitment to be there, I was in a bit of a panic.

However, @SweetAndLow was correct, the cross contact tires on the SR are M+S rated, so I probably would have been fine if I just tossed any old set of chains in the vehicle to point at and say, "Yup! I've got chains!" I realize this isn't a responsible solution though, and will be getting a set of 18" AT wheels/tires.

The next issue will be figuring out where to store the big ass 21" wheels in my rather small house. I know I can sell them pretty quick, but I want to hang onto them if I can. One thing is certain, the family isn't going to go for the dining room tire-table solution. 😉

No don't get AT snow rates tires. Keep your original set as your summer tires then get dedicated winter tires on some 18's. Night and day difference in colder temps. You said California though so maybe winter tires even in winter won't make sense. They work best when temps are in the 40's or lower. Once things get above 50F you are better off with non winter tires.

 

[wowsa]

Agreed, AT snow rated is not anywhere near the same as actual winter tires. Lots of people don’t understand his.

Winter tires are a softer compound which makes them perform better at colder temps for both snow and dry traction. As well as having treads cut specifically for use on ice.

 

[Jeepowner?]

I fully intend to invest in a set of AT snow rated tires. Here in California they park CHP officers at the base of the mountain roads, and fully enforce chain restrictions... Since I had a commitment to be there, I was in a bit of a panic.

However, @SweetAndLow was correct, the cross contact tires on the SR are M+S rated, so I probably would have been fine if I just tossed any old set of chains in the vehicle to point at and say, "Yup! I've got chains!" I realize this isn't a responsible solution though, and will be getting a set of 18" AT wheels/tires.

The next issue will be figuring out where to store the big ass 21" wheels in my rather small house. I know I can sell them pretty quick, but I want to hang onto them if I can. One thing is certain, the family isn't going to go for the dining room tire-table solution. 😉

Do you have 4 WD? If so, no chains are required in CA if you have m+S which almost every tire is. If they are requiring chains on a 4WD (R-3 conditions), you need to to stay home. Nothing irresponsible about a set of chains that doesn't fit. As stated above if in R-3 (practically never except in SBD mountains/hills), only local expert drivers should venture out.

 

[Jake22]

Front 18" winter combo for comparison

 

[FlyingAvocado]

Do you have 4 WD? If so, no chains are required in CA if you have m+S which almost every tire is. If they are requiring chains on a 4WD (R-3 conditions), you need to to stay home. Nothing irresponsible about a set of chains that doesn't fit. As stated above if in R-3 (practically never except in SBD mountains/hills), only local expert drivers should venture out.

I do, but they still require you carry chains with you when going into the mountains.