Going to Colorado over Christmas and want to take chains in case we need them. Saw "Pretty Queen" chains online. Also saw tire cables. Both of these claim to offer good traction, similar to chains, but easier installation. Does anyone have experience w/ either of these products? thanks

FYI - No matter what you choose, make sure they meet the definition of "snow chains" per Colorado DOT in case you hit a pass that is under "snow chains only" restrictions! Buddy didn't do that (wouldn't listen to me) and picked some chain alternative - got to the pass and was turned away.....

rsmithtesiusa said:

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FYI - No matter what you choose, make sure they meet the definition of "snow chains" per Colorado DOT in case you hit a pass that is under "snow chains only" restrictions! Buddy didn't do that (wouldn't listen to me) and picked some chain alternative - got to the pass and was turned away.....

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+1 to that.

Also, Practice putting them on at least once in nice weather. You don't want to be putting them on for the first time in the conditions you actually need them.

If conditions are actually bad enough to need them, you should really question your need for being on the roads if at all avoidable...

Brad06ag said:

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If conditions are actually bad enough to need them, you should really question your need for being on the roads if at all avoidable...

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+1 to this.

My town is on I70 at about 8000'. In the five years I've lived here I've yet to see a non-commercial vehicle with chains on. We also avoid the highway when the traction law is in effect if at all possible. Pretty much every time the traction law is in effect they will close the highway at some point as a preventive move or as reaction to wrecks. Not to mention that in those conditions you have to drive super slow. You are basically hoping you don't get caught up in the inevitable shutdown and if it's at night they will sometimes shut it down all night.

They do a really nice job keeping the roads cleared except during the height of a storm when they can't keep up. I get there's times when people need to be on the road then because it's happened to me on several occasions. Just make sure you have the right tires with appropriate tread depth, ideally all wheel drive or 4x4, and if not the chains or autosocks.

Also, be prepped to be stuck on the road for hours. Bring the appropriate clothes, water, food and make sure you're gassed up.


All that said you probably won't need any of it but it's better to be prepared than stuck out there.

We will be travelling I-70 from Denver to Breck. I thought there were times that chains were required to make that drive. Please advise if that is wrong.

I did get stuck on I70 around the Empire exit several years ago and finally had to go back to Denver because they said the road would be closed all night.

GIJOE said:

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We will be travelling I-70 from Denver to Breck. I thought there were times that chains were required to make that drive. Please advise if that is wrong.

I did get stuck on I70 around the Empire exit several years ago and finally had to go back to Denver because they said the road would be closed all night.

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That's when they put the traction laws into effect. My point was you don't want to be on i70 if that law is in effect - just wait it out somewhere comfortable. They changed the law for 2019. The linked article has a good summary of it. They are struggling to proactively enforce it but they are giving tickets if you cause an incident and are in violation of this law.

https://theknow.denverpost.com/2019/09/20/colorado-new-traction-laws-i-70/224582/

I hear you and if I was a local I would hunker down and wait it out. Kind of hard to do when home is 15 hours away, your hunker down place is on the other side of the pass, and you just need to get over the pass.
I will not put the safety of my family at risk, but if the road is not closed and I have adequate traction for my tires, I can drive slow enough to manage the risk and still get there safely on same day.
I am asking about proper/adequate traction for the tires. We have M/S tires w/ good tread. We have 4WD vehicle. But I want to have chains if they are required. Trying to see if the cables 1) offer good traction and
2) meet requirements.

I live in the mountains and literally have never felt I needed chains. A capable 4WD is plenty, and I've gotten around in almost 2.5 feet of fresh powder.

If you have 4WD/AWD and you're tires aren't bald then you are good to go on the chain law. If you don't have 4wd/AWD and decent tires then you should. I have driven that stretch of highway many many times in as many storms as I could manage to skip work for. Most of that was in a subaru with nearly bald tires and I never felt unsafe from lack of traction.

Agree with others which is why I posed the traction law. If you have 4x4 and good traction depth on your tires you are in compliance - don't get chains. As I said I've never seen a non-commercial vehicle with chains on.

ETA - I wasn't calling you out for not driving safely. Its the other guys you have to worry about. You'd be shocked at some of the dumbass sht people do in the snow which causes the highway to be closed. Just have stuff in the car in case you get stuck in closure.

Agree with all the people saying if you've got good M+S rated snow tires and 4wd/AWD chains are unnecessary. I've never seen them enact the "code 16" law requiring passenger vehicles to have chains without just shutting the highway down as it's usually a complete mess by that point.

I live in Denver do a lot of traveling around the mountains and know two people who own chains. One has never used them, the other used them two weeks ago deer season to make it up a 4wd road. I've only encountered one spot I needed chains and it was offroad. To each their own, but just not worth that cost for a ski trip

Thanks for all the discussion and advice. After reading these posts and the traction law, I am not going to spend the money for chains. thanks again

N/M

I'll be driving from Colorado Springs to Crested Butte between Christmas and New Years. Our expedition doesn't have 4x4 so I assume I'll want the chains just to be safe. Is that central portion of Colorado good about keeping things cleared?

As someone who has lived in Texas all of my life. If theres a situation where snow chains are needed I'm getting a hotel room until the storm passes and dot can keep up with maintenance. Not saying this is what everyone should do, just my thoughts.

To add to the discussion of 4 wheel drive, M/S tires with good tread depth, traction, etc., please remember there is an enormous different in traction on fresh snow versus ice. And fresh snow with an ice layer underneath.

Don't forget to take them off when not needed:

When I lived in Montana I still had my little 2WD truck, when traveling around to ski if we needed the cables put on we would pull up to any hotel under the front entry and put them on there. You can do it before you need them. It's not good to have chains on when there is no snow and ice, but cables work great and do not do damage to the road and your tire when dry conditions.

I've used chains and cables. I like cables for hard/paved roads. Chains are great for deep snow. They help in the mud.