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What is the best way to outfit our pilot for snow chains?
Please advise.....
front only....rear only or all four?
Michael
Please advise.....
front only....rear only or all four?
Michael
Snow Chains
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Good question. On 4X4's, you always put them on the front.
With this all wheel drive I would still say the front, because that's where the majority of braking is, along with steering (doesn't do much good to have the back pushing the front where it's not supposed to go).
I would really like to know what you're doing that you need chains!
Being an avid skier, I drive a lot of bad roads through North Park blizzards, and I've never needed chains. The only time I've ever used them was during late elk season when off roading in 2+ feet of snow in my truck.
G.
Jay, dang you're fast!!
With this all wheel drive I would still say the front, because that's where the majority of braking is, along with steering (doesn't do much good to have the back pushing the front where it's not supposed to go).
I would really like to know what you're doing that you need chains!
Being an avid skier, I drive a lot of bad roads through North Park blizzards, and I've never needed chains. The only time I've ever used them was during late elk season when off roading in 2+ feet of snow in my truck.
G.
Jay, dang you're fast!!
Twice needed chains on AWD Aerostar in Sierras
Before driving to Sugar Bowl, CA on 1/2, I purchased Type S clearance cables from Kragens for $30. I tried them on both front and rear tires in my dry driveway. They are Laclede brand size 1042. I had previously carried chains from 16" truck tires that I never needed or tested for fit. While you may not ever need chains on a highway in CA with 4WD, you may be asked if you have them and if not convincing, be asked to show them before being allowed to proceed. If you are stuck and don't have them, you can be fined.
Twice on my AWD Aerostar, I needed chains to proceed after getting stuck while trying to get to Sierra cabins. The first time, I tried crossing the berm the snowploy left to get into a cabin at South Lake Tahoe and high centered. The rear wheels were still on the street so I was able to jack them up and put on the chains and get unstuck. I left the chains on and that evening was able to go down a steep, icy hill that other 4WDs were sliding off.
The second time I had to chain my AWD Aerostar, I pulled to the edge of the road near a cabin in Tahoe Donner to let another vehicle pass. They had received 3 to 4 feet of snow in less than 24 hrs. and roads and driveways had not been cleared. I became stuck in the snow which was nearly to the top of my tires. After being pulled out by a passing truck, I chained up and my Aerostar was able to get in and pack down the snow in the cabin's driveway so my friend's Bronco could get in behind me.
The Aerostar only had anti-lock rear brakes so that is where I put my chains. I have driven front wheel drive vehicle with chains and didn't like the rough ride and steering or experiencing the back end trying to pass the front end when braking (without anti-lock). I would probably chain the rear of the Pilot depending on conditions.
Even with 4WD, the vehicle in the attached picture may need chains or a lot of shoveling to get on the road.
Before driving to Sugar Bowl, CA on 1/2, I purchased Type S clearance cables from Kragens for $30. I tried them on both front and rear tires in my dry driveway. They are Laclede brand size 1042. I had previously carried chains from 16" truck tires that I never needed or tested for fit. While you may not ever need chains on a highway in CA with 4WD, you may be asked if you have them and if not convincing, be asked to show them before being allowed to proceed. If you are stuck and don't have them, you can be fined.
Twice on my AWD Aerostar, I needed chains to proceed after getting stuck while trying to get to Sierra cabins. The first time, I tried crossing the berm the snowploy left to get into a cabin at South Lake Tahoe and high centered. The rear wheels were still on the street so I was able to jack them up and put on the chains and get unstuck. I left the chains on and that evening was able to go down a steep, icy hill that other 4WDs were sliding off.
The second time I had to chain my AWD Aerostar, I pulled to the edge of the road near a cabin in Tahoe Donner to let another vehicle pass. They had received 3 to 4 feet of snow in less than 24 hrs. and roads and driveways had not been cleared. I became stuck in the snow which was nearly to the top of my tires. After being pulled out by a passing truck, I chained up and my Aerostar was able to get in and pack down the snow in the cabin's driveway so my friend's Bronco could get in behind me.
The Aerostar only had anti-lock rear brakes so that is where I put my chains. I have driven front wheel drive vehicle with chains and didn't like the rough ride and steering or experiencing the back end trying to pass the front end when braking (without anti-lock). I would probably chain the rear of the Pilot depending on conditions.
Even with 4WD, the vehicle in the attached picture may need chains or a lot of shoveling to get on the road.
Attachments
In California mountains under certain conditions, you must install "snow chains" on your tires. I found rubber "snow chains" here. I just placed an order and can not recommend them yet. When I do use them, I'll post an update and recommendation.
http://www.flex-trax.com/
http://www.flex-trax.com/
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We drive up and through the Sierra now and then on the way to Tahoe and/or Reno - we are going to take our Pilot for the first time in a few weeks. I had thought that in R1 and R2 conditions they regulation is 4WD WITH snowtires are OK. Surely the Bridestones that came with the Pilot LX don't qualify as snowtires, do they? 
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They do just as long as they say "M & S" rated on the sidewall.sharkierools said:We drive up and through the Sierra now and then on the way to Tahoe and/or Reno - we are going to take our Pilot for the first time in a few weeks. I had thought that in R1 and R2 conditions they regulation is 4WD WITH snowtires are OK. Surely the Bridestones that came with the Pilot LX don't qualify as snowtires, do they?
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I put them on the front tires since it's mostly a front wheel drive car. Going to Bear Valley right after Christmas, it was required even for 4wd (w/o snow tires) to have chains on. Going to S. Lake Tahoe last Friday and coming home Monday, there were no restrictions at all. Best bet is to have a set anyway.
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2,809 Posts
Re: Does anyone actually need them?
I don't know. As an experiment, I've taken my Pilot (with OEM Goodyears) through 12" of fresh snow and about 10" of more dense plowed/disturbed snow. No problems even without locking the VTM. I wouldn't attempt more than that because of the clearance (or lack thereof). If you exceed the maximum clearance of the vehicle (~8") by too much, you're asking for trouble.
Here in the NY area we have designated "Snow Emergency Routes": most highways and major thoroughfares. You must have snow tires or chains to drive on those roads during a declared snow emergency. So, theoretically, I could not drive to work in my Pilot during a snow emergency. Guess that's why God created telecommuting.
I don't know. As an experiment, I've taken my Pilot (with OEM Goodyears) through 12" of fresh snow and about 10" of more dense plowed/disturbed snow. No problems even without locking the VTM. I wouldn't attempt more than that because of the clearance (or lack thereof). If you exceed the maximum clearance of the vehicle (~8") by too much, you're asking for trouble.
Here in the NY area we have designated "Snow Emergency Routes": most highways and major thoroughfares. You must have snow tires or chains to drive on those roads during a declared snow emergency. So, theoretically, I could not drive to work in my Pilot during a snow emergency. Guess that's why God created telecommuting.
Not all tires are... I have a set of Bridgestone Pole Position S-03s for my sportscar -- they're not M+S rated. They're excellent in rain (top rated on TireRack and from personal experience) but they are purely a summer tire -- the tread pattern would be awful in the snow!
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19 Posts
In Oregon, certain conditions will require chains or traction tires (snow tires.) They probably actually needed them in Portland a couple of weeks ago.
Over New Years we were headed over the Siskiyou pass to California. A few days before our trip, they closed the pass for over 24 hours because of snow. Even though the roads were clear for our trip, my wife was stressed out and made my run out and buy chains at the last minute.
I ran over to Les Schwab because they were advertising the fact you can return your chains for a full refund in April if you don't use them. Well, they did not have cables, but I bought them anyway ($75) because I figured if it was an emergency, I could use them in a pinch. After we got back, I bought cables ($30) and went over to Schwab to return the unused chains. Well, they gave me a hard time about returning them, and insisted that they would work with the Pilot. Even though they it was less than a week since my original purchase, they would not let me return the chains until April 15th :3:
I guess I will be buying my Michelin CT's somewhere else!
Over New Years we were headed over the Siskiyou pass to California. A few days before our trip, they closed the pass for over 24 hours because of snow. Even though the roads were clear for our trip, my wife was stressed out and made my run out and buy chains at the last minute.
I ran over to Les Schwab because they were advertising the fact you can return your chains for a full refund in April if you don't use them. Well, they did not have cables, but I bought them anyway ($75) because I figured if it was an emergency, I could use them in a pinch. After we got back, I bought cables ($30) and went over to Schwab to return the unused chains. Well, they gave me a hard time about returning them, and insisted that they would work with the Pilot. Even though they it was less than a week since my original purchase, they would not let me return the chains until April 15th :3:
I guess I will be buying my Michelin CT's somewhere else!
I received the SnoClaws about a month ago but I don't forsee using them for quite some time. I'm willing to ship the SnoClaws to a Senior Member or Moderator to test out them out in 'real world' snow conditions for two weeks.
In return, I would appreaciate a review on the forum and for the reviewer to ship the SnoClaws back to me. I'll pay shipping cost to you but you'll need to pay shipping costs back to me.
Costs to me: I'm trusting that you'll return the SnoClaws to me and I will take the hit if they don't work. You can't return them if they've been used.
If they work, you'll provide invaluable information for pilot members.
Any takers?
In return, I would appreaciate a review on the forum and for the reviewer to ship the SnoClaws back to me. I'll pay shipping cost to you but you'll need to pay shipping costs back to me.
Costs to me: I'm trusting that you'll return the SnoClaws to me and I will take the hit if they don't work. You can't return them if they've been used.
If they work, you'll provide invaluable information for pilot members.
Any takers?
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