[Brucey]

Just in case anyone wanted to see this one.

I saw last year that not only are there 'auto socks' where it's a soft fabric that goes over your tires to aid traction in deep snow but there are essentially zip tie snow chains as well.

The commercial product seems to just be a large zip tie with a tread area built in. I really liked this idea as being easy to install, easy to carry, lightweight, and near universal.

I decided to test it with just store bought 36" zip ties.

Unfortunately neither the DIY zip tie snow chains nor the commercial product seems to be a life saver. I'm sure if it's a last resort it's worth trying but I imagine there are better methods of getting un stuck.

I had the snow tires on for this test. They are Michelin X Ice 3 in stock size on stock rims. Mostly because I still have them from when I was driving often into higher elevations but it was difficult to get stuck to begin with with the Gen 5.

Hope this inspires someone to make a good product with a similar idea! Make it work somebody.

 

[x183]

I was hopeful that might work. Over the years, I've seen many similar systems.

TruckClaws™ II Extender Bar Combo Kit - Emergency Tire Traction Aid - TruckClaws Emergency Traction Aid

This kit combines the TruckClaws™ II emergency tire traction aid kit for light-duty trucks, pickups, RVs, and SUVs with our Extender Bars that add 10 more inches of grip. Made of aircraft-grade aluminum, this traction aid is tough enough to get you out of a wide variety of situations and can be...

truckclaws.com

https://www.amazon.com/Trac-Grabber-Traction-Alternative-Unstuck-Install/dp/B01BDWRECU

PASSENGER AUTOSOCK 697 - AS697 | McGee Company / AutoSock - AutoSock - AutoSock McGee Company / AutoSock

shopautosock.mcgeecompany.com

https://www.flextrax.com/

 

[Brucey]

I was hopeful that might work. Over the years, I've seen many similar systems.

TruckClaws™ II Extender Bar Combo Kit - Emergency Tire Traction Aid - TruckClaws Emergency Traction Aid

This kit combines the TruckClaws™ II emergency tire traction aid kit for light-duty trucks, pickups, RVs, and SUVs with our Extender Bars that add 10 more inches of grip. Made of aircraft-grade aluminum, this traction aid is tough enough to get you out of a wide variety of situations and can be...

truckclaws.com

https://www.amazon.com/Trac-Grabber-Traction-Alternative-Unstuck-Install/dp/B01BDWRECU

PASSENGER AUTOSOCK 697 - AS697 | McGee Company / AutoSock - AutoSock - AutoSock McGee Company / AutoSock

shopautosock.mcgeecompany.com

https://www.flextrax.com/

Do you know if any of these work?

I noticed the "Trac Grabber" was even using Gen 5 18's in their demo.

 

[x183]

I've never used one or observed any of these in person. Being a curious person, I've looked them up a few times over the years, but never really needed one. I do go off road, but most of it is well maintained forest roads.

 

[SilverOnyx]

If you already carry rope in your car you could try this:

 

[x183]

A snow rope, that's novel. This guy took the time to crochet a solution out of a rope he just had handy.

 

[Micron]

I guess yer beat if you bought snow tires on steel wheels ...

 

[jbaker2643]

Thanks for doing the demonstration video! When the first zip tie snapped, it was clear that the cold environment was going to be a problem. Then as the camera operator mentioned, the zip ties broke off while trying to get unstuck. The plastic would have to formulated for the cold, even then the shear forces placed on the tie would likely cause them to break. But now we definitively know.

 

[provels]

Apparently there is nothing new under the sun. Close the Patent Office.
Amazon.com: ALEKO SCP01 Universal Emergency Anti-Skid Snow Chain Zip Tie Kit Orange Lot of 10: Automotive

 

[provels]

If you already carry rope in your car you could try this:

Haha. I'd been thinking a similar thing. A length of sisal rope with a loop in the middle and on each end. Thread the center through the back and thread the ends over the tire and in from the front a couple times, then connect the loops with a quick link or such.

 

[Brucey]

Apparently there is nothing new under the sun. Close the Patent Office.
Amazon.com: ALEKO SCP01 Universal Emergency Anti-Skid Snow Chain Zip Tie Kit Orange Lot of 10: Automotive

This is the one or very close to the one I referenced in the video. They have mixed reviews. I really like the idea of quick light and portable chains. Sucks they don't seem to work well and my cheap alternative isn't good for much more than a laugh.

 

[scalman]

did you aired down tires ? at least to some 1 bar. just dig a lot , put something under tires some kind of sand tracks and recover. dont think there is some special sauce for recover if you stuck in deep snow.

 

[Brucey]

did you aired down tires ? at least to some 1 bar. just dig a lot , put something under tires some kind of sand tracks and recover. dont think there is some special sauce for recover if you stuck in deep snow.

I was trying to get stuck so no I didn't air down.

 

[John Doe]

... my cheap alternative isn't good for much more than a laugh.

It was more sad than funny.