Do Tire Chains or Cables Offer Better Traction and Which is Better

Published 03/06/2014

Question:

tire chains vs cable Which is better? Seems like the chains would be better for traction etc

asked by: Dave

Expert Reply:

Actual tire chains are better than cables. Chains offer better traction and longer life. They also seem to be more corrosion resistant. Some chains are easier to put on that others. The same goes with cables but the cables are lighter. Cables are good for occasional use but if you need chains frequently then going with actual chains is preferred.

Some vehicles require chains or cables that do not stick out from the tire very far because of limited clearance between the tire and vehicle. Cables are generally smaller but there are some chains that meet the Class S requirements for vehicles with limited clearance.

I have included a couple of informational articles on tire chains for you to view.

expert reply by: Michael H