Chains?

Been skiing since the mid 60's...mainly Tahoe area. Some times S Cal and Boise.
Ranges from powder, ice, slush, mixture of them all (that is the worst) and all
had sections of pavement sprinkled in between them

Have used regular links, re-enforced (bar to V-Bar), cables, cables with hardened
tubes, plastic straps (worst of them all for a truck)

From my 2 seater (Datsun 240Z), to sedan, to station wagon, to 4x4 SUV, to 2WD
pickup, to my 4x4 Suburban

My setup is a 5 gallon plastic bucket (before they were around, a 5 gallon
steel paint bucket) that has the chains, repair kit, gloves, roll of plastic
runner to kneel/lay on, baggie of tie-wraps & wire, misc stuff. The bucket has
a plastic lid that I sit on.

No longer use rubber bands (tossed them around 1969) and use truckers steel
springs. With my own mod's reducing the chain connection. So they are under more
tension than normally designed for. For the cars use steel springs of smaller
dia and also reduce the connective chain to increase their tension.

This keeps the road salt and snow/ice/etc from melting into the vehicle floor.
Cleanup back home is to dump the whole thing on the driveway and hose them off
Hang everything on hook in the patio to dry...after spraying them down with WD40

At one time, had around 5-6 buckets for the various vehicles I took up there.
Now down to one bucket for the Suburban

This AutoSock would not last in my usage. As the sections of pavement between
the snow/ice/etc sections would destroy it, IMHO.

Also understand, I think, how it works and in slush/ice it would not work for me



PS...whatever you folks use, do NOT let them spin. Have seen FWD guys
having fun spinning them at the chain stations...then BANG...when they
dig down to pavement.

At that instant when the chains contact pavement (good traction),
something breaks. Usually the axle...

The first question that comes to my mind is: Have the AutoSocks been approved by the various State DOTs for use on mountain passes? If they have not been recognized as approved traction devices, you will probably NOT be allowed to proceed when chains are required.
they say that the AutoSock is approved in every state except Nevada, so they cannot be used on the Nevada side of Donner Pass.
they give MCA 61-9-406 as approval for them in the state of Montana. Here is the applicable section of the Code:
" (6) If the department of transportation determines at any time that dangerous or unsafe conditions on a highway require particular tires, tire chains, or traction equipment for vehicles in addition to or beyond the ordinary pneumatic rubber tires, the department may establish the following recommendations or requirements with respect to the use of the equipment for all vehicles using the highway:
(a) chains or other approved traction devices recommended for driver wheels;
(b) chains or other approved traction devices required for driver wheels; or
(c) chains required for driver wheels.
(7) Equipment required by subsection (6)(b) or (6)(c) must conform to rules established by the department of justice."
Note that there are three levels of requirements, (a), (b), and (c). It would appear that if the level (c), Chains required, condition exists, the AutoSock may not be used. It does not state that the AutoSock is an "approved traction device" as recommended in (a) or required in (b).
Section (7) of the code says that traction devices must "conform to rules established by the Department Of Justice". It would make sense for AutoSock to show that they in fact DO conform to those rules.
But, that is neither here nor there, since they may not be used when the sign says CHAINS REQUIRED, I won't be buying them.

Not sure how well they would work in NW slushy snow ice....midwest, where it is colder, drier etc. They frankly, probably work pretty well. As they noted, many of the european cars have low clearance for cable or chain chains. So one needs a lower clearance/thinner volume help in some extreme cold snowy conditions. THese would appear to work well. Reality, if made correctly out of some water proof material, not cotton or wool, they should last a reasonably long time. But driven on literally a hard concrete surface, like metal chains, they will not do well for long.

marty

Bedlam wrote:
My worry with the AutoSock is how long they will last before they need to be replaced. This is the same reason I put shoes on my feet before going outside in socks...

Most add-on traction devices (including chains) don't spend that much time actually in service- and when they are, it's at low speeds. I hope! These look like they're pretty well made- likely to last well in ordinary service. But that name..."Autosocks"??? They'd sound more substantial if they called them "Autogaloshes" or something.

My worry with the AutoSock is how long they will last before they need to be replaced. This is the same reason I put shoes on my feet before going outside in socks...

Has anyone used Autosocks? I thinking of buying a few sets. Look a lot easier and no worry about throwing a chain.
http://www.autosock.us

Moderator edit to re-size picture to forum limit of 640px maximum width.

THere are a lot of places open in the winter months with at least electric hook ups. Never been to leavenworth in the winter. But a number of the ski area;s have hookups. Including WHistler and some of the ones in the Okanagaon valley in BC. Stevens and Chrystal locally have electric hookups. I;ve also been to MIssion, Scwietzer, Timberline, mt hood in the RV to ski also.

All the above are reasonably easy to do, just need to give yourself some time if the road is a bit tough. Correct tires, not street tires, then chains are a must a lot of times to.

As someone noted, yeah, the first time is interesting, after that, like all things, you get used to it, and it gets easier per say. Or at least you learn what to expect in certain conditions.

Timberline was fun coming down with 40-60 mph winds, snowing, compact snow on the road. 10$ for 6 miles. Stopped in the middle, one person in front a couple of vehicles, got out, was on there kiester before they could take a breath or heart beat!

Then on some grades, your tires are just warm enough to melt the ice/snow, putting a bit or water under your tires, and down the hill you go! Locally King 5 an NBC affiliate has or had some winter driving videos. Fun watching the bumper cars in some of Seattles 5-10% grades! You do not see folks trying to drive on the 15-26% grades, THose like queen anne ave, 18% have closed signs top and bottom. Not to mention bus route changes......

Marty

rhagfo wrote:

NWKomfort350 wrote:

rhagfo wrote:

coolbreeze01 wrote:
Good planning to have chains.....Really poor planning to actually use/need them. Have fun.

Well I guess that puts me, Blt2ski, Bedlam and Francesca Knowles all in the poor planers in your book!!

In my book we are the better planers and are prepared, and tow a unit that tows very well even in less than ideal conditions. I have done it and will likely do it again looking for a nice weekend on the coast.

I also carry chains. 2013 was my first rving season and we spent a weekend in Leavenworth in December. Blewitt pass looked very much like the picture rhagfo posted.
It hit a high of 19 degrees f while we were there.
I hope to be in Leavenworth for a weekend again this December.
For 2015, we are thinking of doing Christmas in Leavenworth, so, should be there for more than a weekend.

Christmas tree lighting??

We went several years ago sans RV, that is a great celebration!

Yes, my DW LOVES Christmas. She loves all the lights, and decorations.
The cold weather makes all the little things an adventure.

NWKomfort350 wrote:

rhagfo wrote:

coolbreeze01 wrote:
Good planning to have chains.....Really poor planning to actually use/need them. Have fun.

Well I guess that puts me, Blt2ski, Bedlam and Francesca Knowles all in the poor planers in your book!!

In my book we are the better planers and are prepared, and tow a unit that tows very well even in less than ideal conditions. I have done it and will likely do it again looking for a nice weekend on the coast.

I also carry chains. 2013 was my first rving season and we spent a weekend in Leavenworth in December. Blewitt pass looked very much like the picture rhagfo posted.
It hit a high of 19 degrees f while we were there.
I hope to be in Leavenworth for a weekend again this December.
For 2015, we are thinking of doing Christmas in Leavenworth, so, should be there for more than a weekend.

Christmas tree lighting??

We went several years ago sans RV, that is a great celebration!

rhagfo wrote:

coolbreeze01 wrote:
Good planning to have chains.....Really poor planning to actually use/need them. Have fun.

Well I guess that puts me, Blt2ski, Bedlam and Francesca Knowles all in the poor planers in your book!!

In my book we are the better planers and are prepared, and tow a unit that tows very well even in less than ideal conditions. I have done it and will likely do it again looking for a nice weekend on the coast.

I also carry chains. 2013 was my first rving season and we spent a weekend in Leavenworth in December. Blewitt pass looked very much like the picture rhagfo posted.
It hit a high of 19 degrees f while we were there.
I hope to be in Leavenworth for a weekend again this December.
For 2015, we are thinking of doing Christmas in Leavenworth, so, should be there for more than a weekend.