Emergency Tire Chains

Do they work?

In 20+ years of driving, I've never "needed" chains or 4wd. Sure,
sometimes it would be/has been handy, but I've always gotten by.

My current home is at the bottom of a hill... when I know snow is
coming (usually fewer than 5 times a year), I park in my neighbors
field so I can get out if need be. When the snow stops, I clean up my
driveway with my tractor and I'm good to go.

Now I've got a couple of little kids... gotta start thinking about the
"what ifs." Suppose I forget to park in the field and need to get out
in a hurry... what are my options? Getting the tractor out and plowing
takes time, and there's always the unlikely even that the tractor
dies/breaks/etc. I'm thinking about those emergency tire chains that
you just strap on to the wheels. Seems like they'd get me up the hill
and out of the drive on to flat ground. The main road in front of my
house is a "snow emergency route," so it's among the first plowed and
is always kept clean.

http://tirechain.com/STRAPONTIRECHAINS.htm

Anyone ever try these things? Do they work at all?

thanks,
Craig

wrote:
> http://tirechain.com/STRAPONTIRECHAINS.htm

> Anyone ever try these things? Do they work at all?

> thanks,
> Craig

I used something similar (a hand me down from my Father) on my '86 GTI,
and it helped in a pinch...note the limitation, should not exceed 5MPH
with them and don't spin the tires.

However, on my current car, they just don't fit...you didn't mention what
kind of car you have, but on my 2000 Golf, there is just not enough
clearance between the brake caliper and the wheel for the strap (canvas?)
to avoid the calipers...I have a set of regular chains now, that go all
around the wheel and don't use the strap that goes through the slots in
the wheel (these are for "low clearance" wheels). They are harder to put
on (need lots of hand strength) but don't come near the brake caliper.

--
---------
Tom Flynn
'78 Scirocco (sold 1987)
'86 GTI (sold 2000)
'00 Golf 8v
I speak only for myself