Snow Chains for 18" Wheels

[footsurg]

I have the 18" sport tires on my 4.4i with 255/55R's all the way around. The tires are Bridgestone Duellers. I am hoping someone else on this board can give me some advice regarding what kind of chains work best for this tire combo. I seem to have plenty of clearance above the wheels. What I am concerned about is clearance between the wheels and the suspension components both front and back. I am considering the chains from SCC. More specifically the WhiteStar Alloys model # WS1707. They look pretty nice but I am unsure if they have a low enough profile to clear the strut/springs. Would cables work better than the diamond configured chains? I keep reading that the chains have much better traction than cables at the expense of being a little more high profile. I have also read that cables allow you to travel a little faster than chains and may be more forgiving (less vibration) to the suspension components....ie CV joints, struts, ball joints etc. Any input based on actual experience chaining this tire and rim type will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Mark

[dzhoka]

have anybody answered ur question about snowchains ( model x-5,4,4 255/55-18 the same.., just like urs) Did you buy yet any chains so far ?
regards Johnni
01.02.06

[breytonX5]

Originally Posted by footsurg

I have the 18" sport tires on my 4.4i with 255/55R's all the way around. The tires are Bridgestone Duellers. I am hoping someone else on this board can give me some advice regarding what kind of chains work best for this tire combo. I seem to have plenty of clearance above the wheels. What I am concerned about is clearance between the wheels and the suspension components both front and back. I am considering the chains from SCC. More specifically the WhiteStar Alloys model # WS1707. They look pretty nice but I am unsure if they have a low enough profile to clear the strut/springs. Would cables work better than the diamond configured chains? I keep reading that the chains have much better traction than cables at the expense of being a little more high profile. I have also read that cables allow you to travel a little faster than chains and may be more forgiving (less vibration) to the suspension components....ie CV joints, struts, ball joints etc. Any input based on actual experience chaining this tire and rim type will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Mark

I've never really understood the concept of snowchains. May I ask what are you using them for since you have all season tires on your X5? May be it's just me.

[Sterling 4.4]

I used the SCC cables last year on my 19" wheels. No problems in the snow. There is plenty of clearance and installation was easy. I just got 18's with Pirelli Ice and Snow tires and I can't wait to see how they work. I will b ring my cables just in case.

[PeteG]

Pardon my ignorance, but why would you want to put chains on your X5? Aren't they kind of noisy and ugly? What is the winter like in Tulsa? I live in Maine and have absolutely no problem with my 18" Blizzak LM-22's. Why not snow tires?

Just wondering....

[breytonX5]

Originally Posted by PeteG

Pardon my ignorance, but why would you want to put chains on your X5? Aren't they kind of noisy and ugly?

Not to mention the damage they cause to the paved roads.

[X5Flyboy]

"why chains?" - some of the mountain roads out here have grades of 5-11 deg - many have 'chain up areas' before steep grades - very little plowing out here, so many roads will pack to ice - chains not a full time thing - just to get you up or down a dangerous slope more safely - It is mostly the stronger sunlight at higher elevations that clear the roads (thinner air & no filtering pollution)

[footsurg]

Originally Posted by PeteG

Pardon my ignorance, but why would you want to put chains on your X5? Aren't they kind of noisy and ugly? What is the winter like in Tulsa? I live in Maine and have absolutely no problem with my 18" Blizzak LM-22's. Why not snow tires?

Just wondering....

The mountains of Colorado and New Mexico are a short drive from Tulsa. I am an avid snowboarder and I am planning to make frequent trips to the mountains to shred. For those of you who have never driven in mountain conditions with steep grades and 8-10 feet of new snow, I guess I can understand why you would question the need for chains at all. To put it simply, I don't care what kind of truck or tires you have sometimes having chains means the difference between going about your business or being snowed in for days at a time. Trust me the roads I am talking about are impassable sometimes unless you have a relatively high ground clearance vehicle and snow chains. Not too many other ways to put it.

And to answer one of the previous questions regarding whether I have received an answer to my original question. The answer is no.

Mark

[Kewl X5]

Some other states such as California require snow chains on mountain roads even with AWD, but I think if you have snow tires, they may let you go without chains.....In California, usually you don't need snow tires unless you decide to visit the mountains for skiing in the winter. So, usually most Californian's do is get snow chains/cables for their cars/SUVs.

Originally Posted by breytonX5

I've never really understood the concept of snowchains. May I ask what are you using them for since you have all season tires on your X5? May be it's just me.

[dzhoka]

http://www.vulcantire.com/cgi-local/chainsearch.cgi
I just bought this one's!they are fine chip and working . Too many diferent models.You want practical or fancy ?? Z-571 is ok !
regards Johnni