Snow chains

[DefenderGuy]

Has anyone in the US purchased the recommended snow chains (either the A 82 S Austro-S or the XMR 82 V Brenta-C 4x4) recently? Pewag (maker of the XMR 82 V Brenta-C) advertises a US production facility but I haven't been able to find a reputable US retailer. Do any of the Grenadier affiliated parts companies carry either of these (or other approved / recommended) tire chains? If anyone in the US has bought Pewag chains recently, assuming you were satisfied with the service (and product), please give a recommendation. (I have a feeling the apparent shortage is tariff related but I'm happy to be corrected if there's another explanation.)

 

[INEOS OG]

If I were to “need” chains on my IG to get where I need to go, I’m not going. I have been driving in snow country in the Americas from 5k to 14k feet for 40 years.

You be you, but if you are uncertain about chaining up an IG you are in over your head.

 

[Tinerfeño]

In Finland 25 years ago practically nobody used tyre chains in their 4x4's. Then I imported first lot of Mafri chains from Italy, arranged some driving and training events and voilá, there is need for those. Some use them only for hobby but many people that need to get to places outside plowed roads use those. Forest workers, guy that services windmills, hunters, emergency services, etc.

Pictures from winter driving event 2013.

I have done a lot of light forest work between 1990 and 2015. This would be practically impossible without chains. This picture is from 2013.

In Tenerife the roads up the Teide are closed when there is snow or rainfall (risk for landslides) and so far I have no risked going there during shutdown. But when I can get chains I will certainly try that!

 

[ECrider]

Certain places in Europe you can be fined for not having chains or socks in the boot in addition to winter tyres. Perhaps some non mountainous regions yoj can have either/or.... Definitely better to have and not need than........

 

[CRH]

Definitely better to have and not need than........

That's always been my philosophy, boot full of stuff I haven't used but...

 

[DefenderGuy]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm in the early stages of planning a trip from Cochrane to Fort Albany on James Bay in northern Ontario. Almost all of this 400 km journey is on winter ice roads which are generally pretty well maintained during the few weeks that they operate. That said, I think there's a lot to be said for having chains if, for example, one encounters an unexpected blizzard en route. (There are NO services of any kind other than at Moosonee / Moose Factory.) If anyone has bought chains for his Grenadier and/or knows a reputable dealer who sells the recommended (or compatible) chains here in the States, I'd be grateful for a referral. Meanwhile, I'll just second ECrider "better to have and not to need." (Interestingly, chains are apparently illegal on regular highways in Ontario.)

 

[Tinerfeño]

(Interestingly, chains are apparently illegal on regular highways in Ontario.)

In Finland they are legal but usually only lumber trucks use them outside highways.
I have occasionally used those on highways and streets for short time, but they are so uncomfortable that nobody will use them without a good reason.

 

[CrazyOldMan]

We had this same discussion last winter. I think the answer is “it all depends.” Generally everyone agrees nothing replaces true winter tires. Then the question is studded vs non-studded. That depends on whether they will be seeing dry pavement - if so, remember they have worse stopping performance on dry pavement. Then there is the question of chains vs socks. There are some country regulations around that - like Austria, oddly enough - where socks won’t meet the requirements. You have to carry chains. I think it depends on what you’re doing. If you’re driving over the Sierras on highway/interstate- my PERSONAL recommendation is to go with socks. Socks are, for me, a “get out of trouble when you’re off the side of the road,” kind of thing, or there has been a big snow dump over a paved road. If I were really on a trail in deep powder - I would want chains. I have a folding shovel in back and use that Leitner Sidekick for recovery boards, as well. Just if I have to dig out. So I don’t think there is really a generic “what should I run in winter” answer. It really depends. And there are even scenarios where the stock 3PMSF K02’s are enough - but I think that would be limited to lighter winter conditions.

 

[ECrider]

Exactly. I have an Audi quattro and it cannot use ordinary chains due to suspensions proximity etc only the really expensive sort around the middle. so I bought two pairs of socks and the packaging has a letter type statement addressed to the French saying along the lines off don't give him a ticket, after years of lobbying your road dept. now recognises them as alternatives to chains.

Used them in anger in France, highly effective but not very robust obviously. Work like sipes by picking up snow and using that snow to grip the next snow.

 

[CrazyOldMan]

Exactly. I have an Audi quattro and it cannot use ordinary chains due to suspensions proximity etc only the really expensive sort around the middle. so I bought two pairs of socks and the packaging has a letter type statement addressed to the French saying along the lines off don't give him a ticket, after years of lobbying your road dept. now recognises them as alternatives to chains.

Used them in anger in France, highly effective but not very robust obviously. Work like sipes by picking up snow and using that snow to grip the next snow.

What did we say last winter? Socks meet chainrequirements for France and Switzerland but not Austria? I honestly can’t remember

 

[ECrider]

What did we say last winter? Socks meet chainrequirements for France and Switzerland but not Austria? I honestly can’t remember

Last week is a stretch for me let alone last year!