Forum Discussion

dks's avatar
dks
Explorer
Jan 14, 2014

Tire chains brand for Roadtrek

I will be traveling I-90 in April from Ontario to Seattle. Has anyone any recommendations on brands of tire chains that will fit my Roadtrek?
  • We looked at chains but with the lack of clearance, decided to go with AutoSock, which is approved by the Colorado Highways Department - need I say more? Lighter, more compact to carry until needed. Have yet to use them, but expect them to satisfy the "carry chains beyond this point" requirement. Before AutoSock we travelled west down the mountainside from Summit peak in Utah in a blowing blizzard with four inches of snow on the road in our previous Dodge 190 Versatile. No problem, no chains, just weight and slow travel.
  • Hi - go to http://www.tirechain.com/TRUCK-SUV-CHAINS.HTM . I have a set of the diamond quickfit that I put on my 03C190P. I haven't needed to use them much - only a couple times - but I haven't had a clearance issue. You can get a Type S - which is a reduced clearance chain - to fit the 265/75-R16 which is my tire size - I can't recall if I went with the reduced clearance or not... As far as speed - the recommendation is not over 35 mph. However, if it is bad enough to warrant tire chains you likely won't be doing more than 20-25mph! I use this style of tire chain on my AWD Subaru's, too. Applys in about 8 minutes, removal sometimes a bit longer. Expect to get dirty - you are in a wheel well covered with road slime... Just had to chain up this past weekend just to get home from work (and back again the next day...dedicated or stupid...???). I carry mine year-round in the RT - have used them in muddy conditions for better traction, too. Not off-roading, but just coming up a wet grade out of a campsite... ST
  • Hey guys,,I never had tire chains on,,,so what would your speed limit be ,,20 to 30 mph,,or is that too fast, ,
  • Sorry folks, I should have mentioned that my Roadtrek is on a 2003 Chevy 3500 chassis. Candlback, that's an interesting comment about the clearance issue, I would have thought it wouldn't have been a problem. Good to know that ffjeff uses cable chains on his vehicles and it works.
  • Our County Transit Buses based on the E450 Fords run single tire cable chains up to Lake Tahoe without problem.
  • Studded tires probably won't be a legal substitute in several western states when chains are required, but I don't know for sure. WA, OR, and CA laws are pretty specific on the matter and the OP should check things out. Just bought some chains for our Class C, they were $99 plus tax and can be mounted from the outside of the tire/wheel.
  • Not sure but you can maybe use studded tires on the rear. I don't know if they are legal everywhere.
  • As I understand it, you need chains not cables on heavy vehicles like Roadtreks. That said, there isn't enough clearance for chains in the wheelwell and they shouldn't be used. At least that is what I have been told for my 2002 Chevy Roadtrek. Looking at mine, that certainly looks like not much clearance.
  • What Chassis? Our Sprinter chassis with ride-rite air bags would only allow the use of cable chains due to clearance restrictions. While I only needed them once the performance was fine. Of course drive slow....
  • Z chains are nice. Quick on and off. Not familiar with your setup. The Z style chains are not the cheapest. 3yrs ago I paid $90 for the wifes vehicle. $180 for my 3/4ton truck.