Tire chains

[chorky]

curious what folks are running. On a stock rig, including the rubicon, it appears a low profile tire chain will fit front and rear.

On my old truck I had true chains - big, heavy and bulky. For my TJ I have a set of these (pic below). They dont work anymore as they are for 31” tires and my TJ now has 33” KO2 (I hate the KO2’s).

My JTR is stock with the 33’s. I will keep them for a bit. And may upgrade to 35’s in the future. So I am looking for chains. It would be cool to find a set that can work for either my TJ or JTR, which means chains for a 33x10.5 up through 35x12.5. Not sure if that is too much to ask.

The chains I carried when my TJ was on 31’s are pictured below. I liked them because they were easy to use, increased traction, and were pretty simple - yet they were a chain link style, like baby chains. So since they dont fit and I need new chains now for both rigs I need to decide 1) if I can get a set that will work for both rigs and future 35x12.5, and 2) to stick with these alpine series or move up to a true v-bar.

A v-bar obviously has better traction while the alpines are a lower profile. I am unsure if the v-bar chains will even fit without damaging anything, or if I even really need that much chain. but let me be clear that in my area when a guy needs chains, a guy NEEDS chains. Other traction types, ie cables, wont suffice.


pic of what I have for the TJ but only fits a 31” tire

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[dapipp]

Have you looked at Les Schwab for chains, mine carry's a large selection of different types for the same size tires.

 

[Blade1668]

I can feel your pain, I've got a 2 sets for 31 tires unused but just in case. That won't fit my LJ or JT.

 

[Escape.idiocracy]

I don’t want to come off like a jerk. But do you intend to use them?? We are required to carry chains or other means in Washington. So I carry tire socks to not get a ticket…. But in all seriousness we made it through more than 2’ of snow last winter by just airing down…. If the Jeep can’t make it we probably shouldn't be out.

These pass up in the PNW. They take up very little room in comparison to chains- especially if you are never going to actually need them.

AutoSock 870 Tire Snow Socks for Car, SUV, & Pickup - Better Alternative to Tire Chains (Pack of 2) https://a.co/d/cSn2ecd

If you actually need chains for off-road obviously a HD off road rated chain and not these cloth deals…

 

[chorky]

I can feel your pain, I've got a 2 sets for 31 tires unused but just in case. That won't fit my LJ or JT.

Yeah I am debating if I want to take my TJ back to 31's so not gonna get rid of them. But I need chains for the JTR anyway...

I don’t want to come off like a jerk. But do you intend to use them?? We are required to carry chains or other means in Washington. So I carry tire socks to not get a ticket…. But in all seriousness we made it through more than 2’ of snow last winter by just airing down…. If the Jeep can’t make it we probably shouldn't be out.

These pass up in the PNW.
AutoSock 870 Tire Snow Socks for Car, SUV, & Pickup - Better Alternative to Tire Chains (Pack of 2) https://a.co/d/cSn2ecd

Well I'm originally from Wa, they get the wet icky snow west of the cascades - but I understand what your saying totally. It's not the snow I am concerned about. Its the ice. I live 60 miles from a major town, and 2 hours and 3 passes from a major city both of which I have to frequent. All pavement. Winter weather storms can last a solid month - easy. So just staying home is not an option. These roads are also heavily used by reckless truckers and inexperienced cars who dont know how to drive in anything other than sunshine. So when I need traction, I flat out NEED traction. Last year over a dozen people died on the route 5 minutes outside the town I live in. That doesn't include the other 3 towns it takes form to get where I need to go. It's a serious problem - mostly because people drive far too fast for conditions. I'm not much of a snow wheeler anyway. So this is strictly for pavement/dirt road use. Studs and dedicated winter tires are great, but still not good enough for solid ice. Hence the mention of v-bar chains.

Have you looked at Les Schwab for chains, mine carry's a large selection of different types for the same size tires.

That is where I got the Alpine chains for the TJ. Just curious to hear what other folks suggest, especially on the clearance aspect for v-bar's

 

[Kevin_D]

I bought these to fit the JT (stock tires size) and my SuperDuty (265/70-17.)
They fit fine on the Jeep. They were also available with the V-bar.

TireChain.com 265/75R-16, 265/75-16 LT 5.5mm Square Tire Chains, One Pair. https://a.co/d/9kGfFYw

I don’t think you’ll have much luck finding a single set to cover both your intended tire sizes; ones big enough for the 36x12.5 will be too loose on the 33x10.5.

Kevin

 

[WILDHOBO]

I don’t want to come off like a jerk. But do you intend to use them?? We are required to carry chains or other means in Washington. So I carry tire socks to not get a ticket…. But in all seriousness we made it through more than 2’ of snow last winter by just airing down…. If the Jeep can’t make it we probably shouldn't be out.

These pass up in the PNW. They take up very little room in comparison to chains- especially if you are never going to actually need them.

AutoSock 870 Tire Snow Socks for Car, SUV, & Pickup - Better Alternative to Tire Chains (Pack of 2) https://a.co/d/cSn2ecd

If you actually need chains for off-road obviously a HD off road rated chain and not these cloth deals…

In CO the requirements are either chains, legit snow tires, or four wheel drive. Commercial requires chains during bad conditions.

 

[chorky]

I bought these to fit the JT (stock tires size) and my SuperDuty (265/70-17.)
They fit fine on the Jeep. They were also available with the V-bar.

TireChain.com 265/75R-16, 265/75-16 LT 5.5mm Square Tire Chains, One Pair. https://a.co/d/9kGfFYw

I don’t think you’ll have much luck finding a single set to cover both your intended tire sizes; ones big enough for the 36x12.5 will be too loose on the 33x10.5.

Kevin

Nice. So with those being actual chains (minus the v-bar) you have plenty of clearance full lock, and dont risk running the chains into anything? THat's my primary concern....

Yeah I figured I would need 2 sets.. Was hoping for just 1 but that's how it goes I guess. They are cheap insurance

In CO the requirements are either chains, legit snow tires, or four wheel drive. Commercial requires chains during bad conditions.

I dont think Montana really has a 'chain law' like other states. At least not where I am I guess. Most people in the city run dedicated snow tires with studs. But I'm looking for even more grip than they offer since I've seen plenty of studded rigs in the ditch just in the city streets - which are a sheet of ice all winter long basically.

 

[Kevin_D]

Nice. So with those being actual chains (minus the v-bar) you have plenty of clearance full lock, and dont risk running the chains into anything? THat's my primary concern....

Honestly, I put one on the rear, and everything looked great. I didn’t try up front.
I’ll give it a shot tomorrow if I get time.

Kevin

 

[RJinPV]

Following this thread. I don't have my Gladiator yet but the 2023 Owners manual only recommends auto socks, not chains for Rubicons with 33" tires. I was very surprised that there is a clearance issue at all on these trucks. Some of you have put tire chains on and it looks OK but I wonder what could possibly cause a clearance issue to make the factory recommend not using them?

The 2022 Owners manual does say S chains are OK but it listed the Rubicon tire size as a 245/75R17, which is not right. I also don't think there are any design changes between 2022 and '23 to warrant a different factory recommendation.

 

[Escape.idiocracy]

In CO the requirements are either chains, legit snow tires, or four wheel drive. Commercial requires chains during bad conditions.

https://www.codot.gov/travel/winter-driving/tractionlaw

Here are the Colorado requirements.
The socks that I put above are legally compliant “ATD’s”

I would recommend to anyone that travels from state to state in the winter to at least carry the socks. They are usually approved.

Colorado has an interesting 5 stage escalation. Im Not going to spend anymore time reading about it- but first glance leads one to believe you don’t need chains/ATD until step 5…… but im sure things escalate quickly which could be setting someone up for failure.
WA and OR there is a requirement to have them in the vehicle when traveling through the pass’ during a certain time period regardless of weather.

There are a lot of vehicles that have to use ATD’s as chains won’t fit.

 

[WILDHOBO]

https://www.codot.gov/travel/winter-driving/tractionlaw

Here are the Colorado requirements.
The socks that I put above are legally compliant “ATD’s”

I would recommend to anyone that travels from state to state in the winter to at least carry the socks. They are usually approved.

Colorado has an interesting 5 stage escalation. Im Not going to spend anymore time reading about it- but first glance leads one to believe you don’t need chains/ATD until step 5…… but im sure things escalate quickly which could be setting someone up for failure.
WA and OR there is a requirement to have them in the vehicle when traveling through the pass’ during a certain time period regardless of weather.

There are a lot of vehicles that have to use ATD’s as chains won’t fit.

Cool. I didn’t know there was a chain law fir 4x4 vehicles. I guess I haven’t experienced stage 5.

 

[chorky]

Following this thread. I don't have my Gladiator yet but the 2023 Owners manual only recommends auto socks, not chains for Rubicons with 33" tires. I was very surprised that there is a clearance issue at all on these trucks. Some of you have put tire chains on and it looks OK but I wonder what could possibly cause a clearance issue to make the factory recommend not using them?

The 2022 Owners manual does say S chains are OK but it listed the Rubicon tire size as a 245/75R17, which is not right. I also don't think there are any design changes between 2022 and '23 to warrant a different factory recommendation.

This is interesting. I will have to look at things this week and see if there is any obvious clearance issues. I can't imagine what the problem would be....

It is insane though how close other vehicles are. My dad got a new Ranger, and the distance from the front tire to upper control arm is like a half inch, at best. Pretty insane IMO.

Good thought to bring this up though.

 

[chorky]

Following this thread. I don't have my Gladiator yet but the 2023 Owners manual only recommends auto socks, not chains for Rubicons with 33" tires. I was very surprised that there is a clearance issue at all on these trucks. Some of you have put tire chains on and it looks OK but I wonder what could possibly cause a clearance issue to make the factory recommend not using them?

The 2022 Owners manual does say S chains are OK but it listed the Rubicon tire size as a 245/75R17, which is not right. I also don't think there are any design changes between 2022 and '23 to warrant a different factory recommendation.

So there is some type of change. What it is I have no clue. I just checked my own owners manual. And, contrary to the picture you shared, mine says that S class chains are compatible.

Not knowing what that meant, I did a google search.

These chains here (like the ones I have for my old TJ 31" tires) are S Class compatible.

https://www.etrailer.com/Tire-Chains/Titan-Chain/TC1555.html

Google search netted this description:
S Class is basically chains designed for rear use only and with 'restricted wheel well' area. I'm still shocked that our Gladiators are considered to have a 'restricted' wheel well.

Now, V-Bar chains, such as the one below, are listed as NOT S Class compatible, even though etrailers has the right size to fit the Gladiator
https://www.etrailer.com/Tire-Chains/Glacier/PWH2828SC.html


So, the only way to really get to the bottom of it I suppose is to get some chains, on all 4 tires, and fully cycle the suspension to see where clearances are. At the end of the day thats the best way to be sure anyway. So has anyone done this?

 

[RJinPV]

So there is some type of change. What it is I have no clue. I just checked my own owners manual. And, contrary to the picture you shared, mine says that S class chains are compatible.

Sorry that I wasn't clear with the snapshots of the owners manual. What I posted earlier is for the 2023. It recommends auto socks only with the stock Rubicon tire size.

Your owners manual should match this. The following is the 2022 manual I downloaded, and it shows the wrong tire size for the Rubicon and says snow traction devices should not be used with any other tire sizes. Not much good guidance from this manual at all.

Edit: I deleted the 2023 owners manual page I didn't intend to repost

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