Get A Grip
42 OVERDRIVE OCTOBER 2008 Carry the proper chains and know how to use them before winter issues its call to traction. BY JOHN BAXTER O n many roads routinely plowed for snow, you may be able to run safely with no more traction than that provided by tires in good condition. But in the mountain passes of California, Washington and Oregon, it's a different ballgame, says Eric Sullwold, busi-ness development manager at Pewag International, one of the oldest makers of tire chains. In Colorado, he notes, fi nes are high, and after Sept. 1 they will even fi ne you for not having them on hand when there is no snow. Furthermore, conditions often change fast, especially in mountainous areas. Unless you never run where it snows, buy chains that fi t, maintain them and take the time to chain up properly before you get into trouble. The National Association of Chain Manufacturers sets minimum standards for tire chains. All chains that meet these standards will work, and Pewag's cheap chains, as Sullwold calls them, are good for very infrequent use. You'll pay $250 for a set of quality chains, $80 for a cheap set, Sullwold says. In hard use, the quality chains will last fi ve times as long. Thus, you'd spend $400 replacing your cheap chains versus the $250 cost of good chains, plus you'll be safer. Cheap chains, often manufactured in China, are of case-hardened, low-car-bon steel. They're tough on the outside only, Sullwold says. The chains we make in Europe are of different alloys and this makes them hard both in the interior and on the exterior. The difference between low-carbon chains and high-carbon alloy designs boils down to: Pay me now or pay me later, says Ed Leach, owner of White Mountain Chain. Just like buying a $1.99 screwdriver you use fi ve times versus something that costs a little more and lasts a lifetime. He says you can identify the chain type by rubbing a fi le on it. With a chain made out of a high-carbon alloy, the fi le won't get a grip and will just slide off. You can save weight and cost with Get a A typical set of Pewag chains has twisted links forming the cross-chain. The clip is installed on the third link to get the tension right. Pe w ag