Textile Tire Chains

[phaser]

I wasn't even aware such a product existed.

Has anyone tried these out?

Textile Tire Chains provide excellent winter traction on icy or snow covered roads.

Also called “tire socks” because of the way they easily slip over your drive-wheel tires,...

These are a great option in states where steel chains are banned in certain months. DOT-approved in Colorado.

Available in three grades for occasional use, semi-frequent use, and frequent use, with sizes to fit almost any car. Maximum recommended speed with Textile Tire Chains is the same as it is for steel tire chains: 30 mph.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-Jetta_IV--TDI/Search/SiteSearch/Winter/ES2137177/

Here's a YouTube video featuring a TDI using a similar product.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYjIDvSdzHQ

And another video featuring a BMW and a Passat, using only one sock. Wheel clearance can be an issue.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWY9fX8PFpI

Been looking at other tube videos, even 18 wheelers can use them.

.

 

[vwxyzero]

Looks interesting, it's already a cold icy winter in my local mountains; but these things are pretty pricy compared to cable chains with tension straps that aren't that bad to install and have lasted three ski seasons and are still good to go this year. What do you suppose the material is? They look like fiberglass, or kevlar? - and I wonder how long they will last...

 

[vwxyzero]

phaser, you're right about big trucks: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=WtBzXVbE3Rc

my guess about Kevlar was right; in another video on youtube, it was stated that when on rocky roads as the snow and icy gets thiner you will rapidly shred the fabric, which in my opinion makes the choice less favorable - I guess more time to research these things would be helpful.

 

[phaser]

vwxyzero, that's an excellent video.

 

[Powder Hound]

Hmmm.... dedicated snow tires and asr have always done it for me. Back east here, they actually plow the roads when it snows. But I don't have or get to contend with western powder snow, either.

 

[993cc]

I just ordered a set. I'll post back when I have a chance to try them out.

My sense is that they'd be less durable than chains or cables (both of which I've used in the past) but much easier to put on. Ideal for when you don't have far to go- say, the last steep hill on the way to the cottage or something.

My hope is that Ontario would also tolerate them on public roads if there was an ice storm or some similar cataclysm.

 

[vwxyzero]

They seam to be DOT approved in Colorado, but I can't find DOT approval in California yet - I'd make sure your state's DOT approves them before jumping - it also seams like they're more for emergency use the daily use. Still not enough time to dig further tonight, sleep calls... where's the emoticon for half awake?


3 more links of interest:

http://www.autosock.com/?aid=9079484
http://www.coloradodot.info/travel/commercial-vehicles/colorado-chain-law.url
http://www.mcgeecompany.com/?s=autosock

 

[phaser]

Approved in Washington, California, Colorado

http://www.autosock.us/

Seems it may just be a matter of time before other states approve, once they conclude traction is equal to chains.

 

[Lensdude_com]

I think I would rather wait for the snow plow at the bottom of the hill with all the other 2wd vehicles than risk tearing up my pancake pipe, brake lines and other damage from a failed snow chain halfway up the hill...

 

[993cc]

Tried them out today

The provisional verdict is… Meh.
They are very easy to put on. Much easier than chains or cables. The traction, however, was only marginally better than my 3rd winter Nokian Hakka R's. I could make it to top of the driveway with less of a running start, but could not stop then re-start like I can with chains.
One of them was visibly abraded after it dug its way down to the gravel.
The packaging is explicit that they are not to be used on bare pavement. It also says to limit speed to 35 kph, or 25 mph, so, apparently you can go slightly faster with them in the U.S. than in Canada. Also worth noting is that they have a specific direction of rotation, which raises the question of whether the braking traction is equal to the pulling traction.
It seems to me these would be best for people who live where winters are mostly mild, and can't justify having winter tires, but want to have something to help out in the occasional freak snow storm. I'm thinking of all those videos of Portland, Washington, D.C., etc. I can't say, however, how they would perform on ice.
For myself, I'll keep them, but I'll still want to have chains for when things get serious.

 

[kwong7]

I've had my pair of autosocks for 3 years and only used them once for a 15 mile drive through a mountain pass. They definitely transformed my summer tires (Hankook Ventus V12) into something drivable in a few inches of snow. I bought them just in case I was in an emergency since it doesn't snow much in my area of southern California. I don't think these are for everyone because you are limited in speed and they're not as durable as snow cables or chains.

 

[esteeze]

I just ordered some of these items from Amazon. I was motivated by the ice storm in Birmingham, AL this week; maybe I'll be a bit more mobile next time if I have these stowed in the trunk.

 

[curtludwig]

Funny I was thinking of these today watching the traffic in Atlanta...

 

[Lensdude_com]

The same thing happened on the busiest hwy in Ontario of Canada where they have mandatory winter tire laws...
so it all comes down to someone over-estimated their driving abilities and spoiled the day for a lot of folks.

 

[NB_TDi]

Snow Cables or go home.

I keep a set in my trunk. Used them a total of 0. Snow tires and common sense prevail I guess.

 

[BadMonKey]

We use the spiders for our company fleet vehicles that are on projects in areas that need them. I've used them and they seem to fit the bill without the problems of chains. They are far from cheap so i just use chains on my personal vehicles

http://www.spikes-spiders.com/

 

[NB_TDi]

We use the spiders for our company fleet vehicles that are on projects in areas that need them. I've used them and they seem to fit the bill without the problems of chains. They are far from cheap so i just use chains on my personal vehicles

http://www.spikes-spiders.com/

$600 USD.

Too rich for my blood.

 

[esteeze]

The pair of AutoSocks were only $80 on Amazon. Cheap enough to toss in the trunk for the 1 time every few years I might need them in Birmingham, AL.

 

[TDI2000Zim]

The pair of AutoSocks were only $80 on Amazon. Cheap enough to toss in the trunk for the 1 time every few years I might need them in Birmingham, AL.

Thanks for the heads up. I checked it out for my size and its only $80:

http://www.amazon.com/AutoSock-AS685-Winter-Traction-Device/dp/B001MS96FY

 

[Wankel7]

I ran Thule CB-12 on my Focus wagon and I was amazed at how well they worked on steep poorly plowed roads.

 

[esteeze]

My Autosocks arrived this week, and I took them out of the package to check them out with some co-workers. It's hard to know what to think about how effective they may be. The part of the "sock" that comes into contact with the road surface is a very durable fine plastic mesh. The mesh has a whitish color, and the instructions say that when the surface is worn down to the darker color underneath, then the socks are 50% worn. I'm not sure how many miles that may take, but I guess it depends upon the road conditions.

I may get a chance to try them out for real tomorrow afternoon, as another winter storm is expected to pass through the Birmingham area.

 

[ezshift5]

.....AutoSocks seems like a sensible name.

Your testing efforts appreciated.

ez