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Review on πŸš— SZ429 Super Z6 Cable Tire Chain for Cars, Trucks, and SUVs - Pack of 2 by Robert Pearson

Revainrating 5 out of 5

Ride in the toughest conditions, never lose control

Until recently I have never lived in a climate where I needed chains. I now live in Washington State and decided to take a short vacation to Leavenworth, Washington just before Christmas. I had to go over Snoqualmie Pass and another smaller pass. I chose these chains purely based on feedback, primarily they are better than traditional chains and easy to install. Received the chains in 2 days (love the Prime) and took our front wheel drive SUV for a test drive. The first tire took 10 minutes as stated. After understanding the sequence, the second bus took less than 2 minutes. I packed everything back into a handy carry bag and off we went to Cascades. Conveniently, a severe winter storm had just dropped 18 inches of snow on Snoqualmie Pass 2 days before we left, and it was still snowing when we went there. In the snow/muddy roadside, I was able to put these chains on without getting dirty or wet, just with gloves on. More importantly, I did both wheels in less than 2 minutes per wheel. In terms of performance, I couldn't go more than 30 mph, but never lost traction. Vibration from the tracks is kept to a minimum by maintaining a speed of 40km/h, but vibration is severe at slow speeds. Either way, complete control over the rugged terrain was more than comfortable. The chains stuck to the surface like she owed them money. I felt in control of the situation and never lost control. On the way back, another severe winter storm brought more snow, and this time it was less plowed and much more piled up on the pavement. Again I put the chains on in less than 4 minutes and rode up and down the pass without ever losing control. They aren't miracle workers, but if you drive properly in inclement weather, you won't lose control of your vehicle. Both times crossing the pass I stopped the vehicle, took me 15 seconds to unplug 3 connectors, tuck the chains, reverse and fold and fold both chains in less than 5 minutes. I put them back in my bag and set off. When I got home I took out the chains as instructed, put a heavy coat of WD-40 on them and let them dry along with the bag (the rivets in the bag had already started to rust from that trip). Chains have thousands of teeth and I've mostly ridden the chains in slush and only lost a few teeth. They will certainly last a while and I only recommend buying an extra set of rubber tensioners as they seem to be the most likely sources of failure. I ordered a second set as chains are useless without them and they fit easily in a chain storage bag. Here is a simple overview: Pros: - Once the order is understood, the chains are incredibly easy to put on. I never watched the video, just watched the included instructions for a few minutes. - I can't compare the traction with traditional chains, but I never lost control. However, you can see the deep grooves that the chains leave in the snow and ice. They hold up exceptionally well. Both chains fold neatly into an easy-to-transport package, and the included carrying case is just the right size for easy re-insertion of the chains and installing additional tensioners if needed. Disadvantages: - They cost more than conventional chains. , but after seeing dozens of others struggle with traditional chains, the difference in cost is justified. What took others 10 minutes to do, took me half that timeβ€”and I never got dirty (assuming you're wearing gloves). The tensioner is a durable rubber ring with 6 plastic clips. As mentioned, I believe this is the only point of failure for the whole system. Rubber loses elasticity in cold weather and most people don't use chains in warm weather. If worn for a long time, I could imagine that the rubber would harden and eventually break under pressure. Fortunately, optional tensioner packs are available that fit in the carry case that accompanies these chains. TL; DR: These chains are absolutely worth the extra price. They fit great and are easy to put on and take off.

Pros
  • Ideal for outdoor activities
Cons
  • Not sure