Lare

This year I might have a chance to run into some snow in the F150. The budget right now isn't amenable to getting new tires, so I have the factory originals: Goodtear Wranglers, 265-70R17. They say M+S right on the sidewall.

I don't know if you've seen the Wranglers, but despite the M+S rating, they look like a street tread to me. I'd like to get some type of chain without going full hog on snow chains that will get beat up on pavement. I seem to recall seeing something for passenger cars that looks more like a set of cables than actual chains and wonder if this (along with my 4WD and locking diff) would be adequate.

I live in metro-Phoenix, so Ihave to go out of my way to drive in snow. But when it gets bad enough out here, the state troopers will require chains or 4WD on some of the interstate highways heading into the mountains. I'd like to be able to "chain up" withut using chains--if that's a good idea.

Any help anyone can give me on what might fit that bill would be appreciated.

Fatmattyd

I can't speak to the chains, but I seem to recall a comment about chain usage in the manual.

That said, at least partly due to all the M+S claims of many tires, real snow tires have a new (somewhat recent?) snow rating designation. I recommend googling "mountain and snowflake symbol on tires" for some more info.

My opinion of the the stock goodyears in snow/slick conditions is pretty poor. I've got a different size (275/65r18), but I have to imagine that they'll perform similarly. I'm in VT and run dedicated snow tires during the winter season.

While I'm a proponent of snow tires, in your case with very limited use, it seems like an unreasonable expense. You could search for something like "cable tire chains" or the like. It seems there are at least a few companies that make a smaller, thinner, and much better fitting tire chain alternative.

4wd will help a lot, as you know. Also, the traction control on these trucks is very good. I'd think the locker would only be necessary to get un-stuck. Not sure I'd recommend driving around with it engaged. If you've got the 4A option as well, I'd definitely use that.

rogerswt

https://www.etrailer.com/chains-2016...-275%7C65%7E18

white15lariat

Had great results with these:
https://www.peerlesschain.com/tire-c...tirechains/679

moparado

I used chains only once or twice and that was decades ago.
They were not full wrap around types but seem to remember they were two rim clamp type chains per wheel.
They were cheap and my father used them for going to work before salted roads. But we had steel rims at that time.
Don't know if those chain types are still around with all the aluminum wheels these days.

Far as the tires i have the same Wranglers on my FX4.
I totally agree they are basically street tires.

Haven't lowered my spare yet but what i can see of it crouching under the truck, it has a much more aggressive thread more suited for a FX4.

BadAV

With 4X4 and locking differential you don't need chains unless you get caught in a blizzard with 12"+ of deeply drifting snow. My 2013 Subaru Outback with OEM non aggressive tires would stop and start fine in 12" of snow with small 2' drifts.

PARIAH

For street / highway usage the cable chains work well, take up little space and are light.

E. Manuel

Not just for snow, but chains do better on ice and in certain types of mud.

BadAV

The OP said snow, and seemed to indicate on-road. In my experience, driving for 40+ years, with 4X4's on and off road for 35 of those, chains are unnecessary on-road except for the conditions indicated in my original response.

Lare

First, thanks for all the information, everyone.

I am not as worried about starting out and being stuck as I am about having to negotiate mountain road turns at (let's say) more than 40 mph. My vivid imagination starts to do the physics of mass, Newton's 1st law and the co-efficient of friction and comes up with a gory Technicolor spectacular with me spinning around and around while my lovely wife yells at me. I hate when that happens.