Do you mean Trak? Looks like those are ~$400 USD per pair... nice stuff:
http://www.trakonline.it/Pages/trak-ltt-en.aspx
Snow Chains
- Thread starter Forty Deuce
- Start date
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http://www.trakonline.it/Pages/trak-ltt-en.aspx
avslash
Full Access Member
Ditto.
Can anyone tell if they make a model that fits a 275/65R18? You can only search their website by vehicle model, not tire size.
I would buy a set of those for the kit in case I ever needed them.
DaJammer
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In my personal experience, and in 25+ years driving the route to Big Bear (both highway 330 and 18), when there is a chain check and when stopped by the CHP, I have almost always been asked if I'm carry chains. Sometimes a simple Yes will get me through, but there have been times when they ask to see them.
If they ask and you can't show them chains, they will turn you around. In a previous 4x4 truck, I simply carried a bag with chains that wouldn't even fit the tires; just for something to show if asked. With the LR4 I carry a set of SCC - Z Chains that will work if needed. I've had to present them but never had to put them on driving the mountain. In my opinion, $95 was cheap insurance from either getting turned around and driving home or finding a local hotel until the chain check was lifted.
One final note, with the snow we have been getting lately in SO CAL, so far this year I've only seen the chain requirement for everyone but 4x4 vehicles with snow tires. There are times after much bigger storms and snowfall totals, I've seen where they require chains on ALL vehicles including 4x4's. So good to be ready when that happens.
If they ask and you can't show them chains, they will turn you around. In a previous 4x4 truck, I simply carried a bag with chains that wouldn't even fit the tires; just for something to show if asked. With the LR4 I carry a set of SCC - Z Chains that will work if needed. I've had to present them but never had to put them on driving the mountain. In my opinion, $95 was cheap insurance from either getting turned around and driving home or finding a local hotel until the chain check was lifted.
One final note, with the snow we have been getting lately in SO CAL, so far this year I've only seen the chain requirement for everyone but 4x4 vehicles with snow tires. There are times after much bigger storms and snowfall totals, I've seen where they require chains on ALL vehicles including 4x4's. So good to be ready when that happens.
Having lived in CA for a number of years, and driving over Donner summit in winter several times... CA only requires 4x4 / AWD vehicles to have M+S rated tires. Not true winter tires with the snowflake-on-a-mountain symbol. I always thought that was patently ridiculous, as almost any non-summer tire has M+S ratings. I don't ever recall them requiring chains on everything including 4x4's; usually they would just shut down the freeway if conditions were that severe.
Most of the time the roads weren't even bad, the chain requirements were just a way to force CA natives to stay below 30mph with snow on the road (or in the air). Go much over 30mph with chains and they're likely to fly off and rip up your fenders. It was frustrating to be poking along on 1 inch of snow with chains, watching the 4x4 crowd fly by at 55+ on their all-season tires. Even more annoying that CHP / Caltrans refuse to let any 2WD vehicle through even if wearing four studded snows.
Glad I don't live there anymore.
Forty Deuce
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Well, the snow was great in Wrightwood where my son and I went for the weekend. People there told me it was some of the best snow they had seen in several years. We stayed at a cabin about 6 miles west of Wrightwood. While I didn’t need to put the chains on the roads were closed and completely iced over for about five different places for several hundred yards to a half a mile. CHP closed the roads but when we drove out at the end of our stay the LR4 and Nitto Terras got us out fine.
patski
Member
I carry chains from my old SAAB Aero, they "almost" fit and allow me to show the Caltrans guy I'm carrying. 
I run Blizzak DM-V2 Snow Tires and pulled an F250(with chains on front) uphill out of a snowbank in Tahoe last weekend.
Having said that, would be interested in what affordable options are avail.
I run Blizzak DM-V2 Snow Tires and pulled an F250(with chains on front) uphill out of a snowbank in Tahoe last weekend.
Having said that, would be interested in what affordable options are avail.
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Rud Grip 0141 chains work great on my 2011 LR4 with 19" wheels (stock setup). I rarely use them, but recently needed to pull out an Audi A8 fully high-centered in the barrow ditch where I had to pull uphill. No chance without the chains, as it was about a 10% grade and there was a sheet of ice under the snow. With chains on the rear wheels it pulled the A8 out just fine. I got my chains from TireChainsrUS
A few other times I've used the chains, but only in rescue situations. They would be pretty noisy driving on a highway. They fit nicely with no clearance issues, and are reasonably easy to install.
Last weekend we were in Tahoe for the snowpocalypse that shut down Squaw-Alpine. With a rented Chevy Tahoe with snow tires we headed out for a drive (since we couldn't ski). Going between Incline Village and Truckee Caltrans was requiring 4x4 with snow tires or chains. We asked the Caltrans worker if we needed chains. Looking at the vehicle and tires, he responded "if you needed chains with this rig, we would just shut down the highway". A Rover has far better traction than the Chevy Tahoe, so at least according to that Caltrans worker, no chains required as long as you have snow tires.
That said, I consider it a sort of ethical karma balancing to keep chains, a pair of MaxTrax, and a tow strap etc with me all winter. I've pulled out quite a few people, and had some fun in the process.
A few other times I've used the chains, but only in rescue situations. They would be pretty noisy driving on a highway. They fit nicely with no clearance issues, and are reasonably easy to install.
Last weekend we were in Tahoe for the snowpocalypse that shut down Squaw-Alpine. With a rented Chevy Tahoe with snow tires we headed out for a drive (since we couldn't ski). Going between Incline Village and Truckee Caltrans was requiring 4x4 with snow tires or chains. We asked the Caltrans worker if we needed chains. Looking at the vehicle and tires, he responded "if you needed chains with this rig, we would just shut down the highway". A Rover has far better traction than the Chevy Tahoe, so at least according to that Caltrans worker, no chains required as long as you have snow tires.
That said, I consider it a sort of ethical karma balancing to keep chains, a pair of MaxTrax, and a tow strap etc with me all winter. I've pulled out quite a few people, and had some fun in the process.
mbw
Full Access Member
I run stock sized tires on my OE 19" wheels in winter. Blizzaks. Pretty unstoppable, but if conditions warrant, or im playing in the snow off road.. SCC Z-Chains have been working. Here are some clearance photos on the front. Rears don't seem to be close to anything.
backcountryLR4
Full Access Member
I run stock sized tires on my OE 19" wheels in winter. Blizzaks. Pretty unstoppable, but if conditions warrant, or im playing in the snow off road.. SCC Z-Chains have been working. Here are some clearance photos on the front. Rears don't seem to be close to anything.
I have been torn whether to get winter tires on my OEM rims. The rims are absolutely mint and rough winters where I live would put an end to that.
My KO2s on my Compos do pretty good in the snow, but I honestly prefer driving my Infiniti G35xS with my winter wheels and blizzaks in the snow. The car is a worm stuck to the road in any depth of snow under 18 inches. (More than that and I'll be in the Rover, since not getting stuck or high-centered being the concern then). It is incredibly predictable, you can also steer with the throttle if needed(thanks to aftermarket beefy sway bars), it is truly "unbelievable" as my good friend who borrowed it the other weekend in a blizzard through a mountain pass remarked. I was always talking about how good it was (and that it was better than the rover in the snow) and no one believed me, including him as he freely admitted, until he drove it.
I'm sure Blizzaks or Nokians would be way better than my KO2s in the snow. The big difference in the Rover is stopping and turning. Being 6,000 lbs it will never be better than my Infiniti in that regard, but perhaps the unpredictability of never quite knowing when it might decide to let go would be diminished with snow tires.
That and I hate the look of the OEM 20s based on tire meat to wheel ratio... The black wheels look sick, but 20's on this truck look ridiculous. Maybe in a few years...
patski
Member
A lot of negative feedback about using BMW X5 wheels($300 on San Jose CList) but I use them for my Blizzaks.
They are getting dinged a little(8 winters) curbs, etc are difficult to see in the weather we like to ski in.
OEM are still perfect.
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