Tire chains

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by Mr Tonka

I used to drive to Keystone every winter in a FL car with summer tires. No problems.

Did you luck out with clear roads? Summer tires are downright scary in snowy and icy conditions. With the different compound of winter tires, you also get the benefit of added grip in cold weather on dry roads whereas summer tires will start to harden up and lose grip.

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by amtex

We are planning a trip to Colorado this winter and wouldn't want to pay for the whole new set of winter tires just for one trip. Did anybody use tire chains in ice/snow roads on the vehicles in the past? Are they all basically the same? Would appreciate any suggestions.

Depending on what you are driving, chains may not be necessary. Here are the Colorado traction laws for winter driving:


If weather conditions require, CDOT can implement Passenger Vehicle Traction and Chain Laws. Motorists will be alerted to an active Traction or Chain Law by highway signage, COtrip.org or GovDelivery notifications.

Traction Law (Code 15)
During an active Traction Law, also known as a Code 15, motorists will need to have either snow tires, tires with the
mud/snow (M+S) designation, or a four-wheel/all-wheel drive vehicle — all tires must have a minimum one-eighth inch tread. You can also install chains or an alternative traction device (like AutoSock) to be in compliance with the law if your tires aren't adequate.

Find out if your tires meet the minimum one-eighth inch tread requirement by taking the Quarter Test.

Passenger Vehicle Chain Law (Code 16)
During severe winter storms, CDOT will implement a Passenger Vehicle Chain Law, also known as a Code 16 — this is the final safety measure before the highway is closed. During a Passenger Vehicle Chain Law, every vehicle on the roadway is required to have chains or an alternative traction device (like AutoSock).

Fines
Motorists driving with inadequate equipment during a Passenger Vehicle Traction or Chain Law could be fined more than $130.

If a motorist blocks the roadway because they have inadequate equipment during a Passenger Vehicle Traction or Chain Law, they could be fined more than $650.

[Lups]

Originally Posted by nyalpine90

why not get used set of winters and store away for future trips?

All season do OK in snow conditions

No.

Those work for holding up a space in a garage. Not on any road ever.

[Mr Tonka]

Originally Posted by JasonCSU

Did you luck out with clear roads? Summer tires are downright scary in snowy and icy conditions. With the different compound of winter tires, you also get the benefit of added grip in cold weather on dry roads whereas summer tires will start to harden up and lose grip.

Sometimes. Other times we got stuck on roads covering with 1" of ice. Most resort towns always have some type of snow/ice on them though. Seemed that careful driving was much more important than snow tires though. Even when we switched to renting cars in Denver and driving out to the resorts. They were never equipped with snow tires.

Last trip out to Steamboat the average temp the week we were there was -5 and we got something like 36" of snow. We rented a Ford fusion with all seasons. No crashes.

This was taken in the hotel parking lot in Steamboat about a year ago.

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by Mr Tonka

Sometimes. Other times we got stuck on roads covering with 1" of ice. Most resort towns always have some type of snow/ice on them though. Seemed that careful driving was much more important than snow tires though. Even when we switched to renting cars in Denver and driving out to the resorts. They were never equipped with snow tires.

Last trip out to Steamboat the average temp the week we were there was -5 and we got something like 36" of snow. We rented a Ford fusion with all seasons. No crashes.

Gotcha. Yeah, I wouldn't worry about driving in snow with all seasons especially if they are new. Summer tires are a different story though. I've been caught in an early season snow storm with the summer tires still on my WRX and the lack of traction is significant. Having AWD doesn't matter if you can't get any grip.

Careful driving is key like you said. If only more people would think that way when the driving conditions are adverse.

[amtex]

Thanks all for inputs! I ended it up ordering cable chains.

Here is my reasoning:
- new winter tires are about $800 (with installation) for my car - it is too much for me to pay considering it's going to be just one trip a year;
- used tires - couldn't find any decent ones;
- renting... well, it is like paying extra to drive some average car. You are not saving with it unless you're renting some small/compact car. BMWs are the one of the most safest cars out there, so I'd rather be in BMW in case of an accident. Insurance will cover the transportation if needed.

[DieselOG]

Originally Posted by Mr Tonka

Sometimes. Other times we got stuck on roads covering with 1" of ice. Most resort towns always have some type of snow/ice on them though. Seemed that careful driving was much more important than snow tires though. Even when we switched to renting cars in Denver and driving out to the resorts. They were never equipped with snow tires.

Last trip out to Steamboat the average temp the week we were there was -5 and we got something like 36" of snow. We rented a Ford fusion with all seasons. No crashes.

This was taken in the hotel parking lot in Steamboat about a year ago.

Had my old TDi in 2+ feet of snow going up over Rabbit Ears Pass leaving steamboat FWD/ chains, couldnt really open the doors but it made it. Thank god it did because they shut the pass down for the weekend just after I left

[BeamerLemur]

Oh you already ordered them? Damn. I was gonna suggest using this site to pick up one cheaper on AutoZone... but maybe you'll want something else soon enough :P I've been buying a few bits and bobs before the Xmas break... i want to do some tinkering while I have some rare free time!