SNOW CHAIN Recommendation

[Tall Tail]

Does anyone have recommendations for snow chains or cables?
Amazon links are appreciated.

I have 2022 F150 SuperCrew XLT 302A 4x4 5.0L 3.31 with factory installed Ford locking rear diff, rear wheel well liners and mud flaps.
In reviewing the snow chains section of the vehicle owners manual my OEM tire size is not listed (275 /65 R18 116T SL RWL FO Michelin Primacy XC). Any speculation on why this is? My tire size seems similar to other listed tire sizes.
I live in Southern California and only spend about 1 week per year in the snow while on vacation (CA, UT, etc.) and rarely need snow chains but want to carry them with me.

Other concerns that i have from the Vehicle Owners Manual:

• Do not use self-tensioning snow chains.
• specified tire sizes (mine is missing). see my tire size above.
• I have the Chrome like (PVD) wheels. Is this a concern with chains?
• Only install chains that are 15mm or less (SAE Class S chains).
• Use snow chains that fit against the sidewall of the tire to prevent the chains from touching the wheel rims or suspension. Refer to the previous illustration.

Vehicle Owners Manual on "USING SNOW CHAINS":
https://www.fordservicecontent.com/...ingEnabled=False&userMarket=USA&buildtype=web



Here is one option for snow chains that meets SAE class S that i found on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0091RCM5...H7FOPQIM&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it

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[ReverendQ]

I believe the Peerless Auto-Trac 232805 Series Snow Chains I have for sale (here in SoCal) will fit. See Rare Peerless Auto-Trac 232805 Series Snow Chains for Sale in Ladera Ranch, CA - OfferUp or PM me to purchase.

 

[23PB&Me]

I did a lot of research before getting mine and went with the peerless one ReverendQ is selling(check sizing before you buy). I dry fit them but have not had to use them. I went with Wildpeak AT3 as my winter tire and have not had any issues on reasonably maintained mountain roads in 4A.

 

[Popplemer]

I would use great caution adding tire chains to a pickup. A great deal of my winter is spent rebuilding commercial truck chains. More than I care to elaborate on here. I would not trust adjusting/tensioning chains either. Anything without a cam lock and/or a rubber spider web tensioner is asking for trouble. Does anyone remember those self tensioning shoes that were on the market for 6 months? I prefer the ladder style chains so the chain stays far from the rim entirely.


If you must use chains, get them as tight as you can without scarring the tires' side wall. Most importantly, whatever you do don't spin your tires with chains on. You must put decent weight in the bed when using chains as well. The weight, if nothing else, will slow your acceleration off the line enough to ensure no spinning. I'll see if i can find some ladder style chains that I could recommend.

 

[Popplemer]

I believe the Peerless Auto-Trac 232805 Series Snow Chains I have for sale (here in SoCal) will fit. See Rare Peerless Auto-Trac 232805 Series Snow Chains for Sale in Ladera Ranch, CA - OfferUp or PM me to purchase.

https://www.tirechainsrus.com/product/square-alloy-ladder-pattern-truck-tire-chains/

This looks like a legit chain. I would normally opt for the thicker 7mm chain but considering the $350 up charge eh. Best of luck.

 

[Tall Tail]

https://www.tirechainsrus.com/product/square-alloy-ladder-pattern-truck-tire-chains/

This looks like a legit chain. I would normally opt for the thicker 7mm chain but considering the $350 up charge eh. Best of luck.

Thanks!

 

[Calson]

Simply put the chains provide better tracking and shorter braking distances on ice, but require more clearance around the tires. My SUVs could only use tightly fitted cable type chains. Ford's manual for the F-150 states to only use snow chains on the rear tires and then to drive at speeds of 30 mph or less.

 

[PatchManager]

I've never used chains on a 4x4, but chains on the rear of my small Mazda 2x4 pickup, made a huge difference. I went from being the loser stuck in 3 inches of snow with the rear wheels spinning to being able to drive during the winter when the streets were clear. I've also seen individuals spin their tires with chains which broke the chain and then the chain smashed the wheel well.

 

[My 2ND Ford]

To answer your questions and concerns, if you need chains while out on the road, then you are already in trouble. I would rather go with a dedicated snow tire than chains. The link you provided is showing a self tensioning chain that the manual says not to use. I would use a cable type chain instead with the rubber Spider tensioner if necessary. Cable chains are much lighter and easier to install. Having said that, nothing is easy to install laying in the snow, on the side of the road, in the cold. You only want chains for the rear wheels, never the front. Remember, any traction device only gets you going, does nothing to help stop. Go very easy on the gas, spinning the tires only leads to breakage and damage . Whatever you decide on, install them and make doubly sure that you have more than adequate clearance between your wheel and brake lines, abs wires , anything that can be damaged because the chains and cables will grow as speed increases, that's why no faster than 30mph and no dry roads. Sorry for the long post, but take it from someone who has had to chain up emergency vehicles during bad storms. Good luck.

 

[Eskram]

Good information. I hope I never need to use it, but it's awesome that this forum has so much broad knowledge, in all areas.

 

[Reverberocket]

I'm also in Calif. I carry the Premium Z cables shown on this page. I have not had to use them yet, but having them gives me a little peace of mind when traveling in the mountains.

 

[Calson]

Wherever I have encountered chain control in the California mountains the sign has advised that either 4WD or chains are required. When there is a heavy storm I either avoid the mountain passes or on one occasion I followed a highway snow plow up the highway. Not a good idea to be in a rush in such conditions.

4WD with icy roads only insures that all 4 wheels are slipping and chains are the only recourse. And hitting black ice means trying to decide what to hit with the vehicle to minimize damage.

 

[Popplemer]

Other things to consider when you feel as though chains are necessary is if you're ready for others not as prepared as you. You may have chains, most people won't. You may have traction, but the entire line of traffic in front of you doesn't. Therefore, chains or not, you may be sitting in traffic on that 2 lane mountain pass for awhile.

 

[ReverendQ]

The issue is often not whether chains are needed or not, but in some places, they are required. That is why I have a set. Even though I live in SoCal there is a requirement for chains at times for getting to the local ski areas. The ones I have for sale were excellent for stock wheels but they do not fit my new wheels.

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