Snow cables or just stay with AT tires for snow?

[KJ-Idaho]

I have a 19 Expy platinum (285x45x22), with continental TerrainContact ATs.

the owners manual says that for 17s and 18s that there are ford recommended chains. But, nothing indicated for 22s.

I called ford, big0, and a couple other tire shops. All are willing to sell me S-type (cables) but, none really knows if they are safe (when properly installed) for body and suspension. (Never on the fronts apparently, according to Ford)

any expertise out there on this?

thx

 

[Deadman]

Just run snow tires and be done with it.

 

[Plati]

I have a 19 Expy platinum (285x45x22), with continental TerrainContact ATs.

the owners manual says that for 17s and 18s that there are ford recommended chains. But, nothing indicated for 22s.

I called ford, big0, and a couple other tire shops. All are willing to sell me S-type (cables) but, none really knows if they are safe (when properly installed) for body and suspension. (Never on the fronts apparently, according to Ford)

any expertise out there on this?

thx

always been an issue for me. always heard from dealer and wherever no chains, especially in front … ive posted on here about that and don't think anyone has ever said they use chains cables or socks. just talked to my shop yesterday about this and he said not a lot of extra room , especially in front. if I could I would have studded snow tires

I hope you can put chains on the BRONCO when it comes out!!

 

[Gumby]

Just run snow tires and be done with it.

THIS

 

[Calidad]

I have a 19 Expy platinum (285x45x22), with continental TerrainContact ATs.

the owners manual says that for 17s and 18s that there are ford recommended chains. But, nothing indicated for 22s.

I called ford, big0, and a couple other tire shops. All are willing to sell me S-type (cables) but, none really knows if they are safe (when properly installed) for body and suspension. (Never on the fronts apparently, according to Ford)

any expertise out there on this?

thx

I had to sign an actual stand alone Ford Document saying I was told not to run traction devices on my 2019 Expedition. I’ve owned and bought a few AwD and 4x4x where they said traction devices not recommended but never was told flat out “no” devices and even had to sign to say I was told such.

My guess is the Platinum wheels leave zero room for error regarding damage to sensitive bits from loose cables etc. Having said that I’ll have a set of Zcables to meet CAL Trans requirements and likely never use them. My subaru two cars ago 18 yrs ago was basically the same rule. I did end up using cables once to climb up about 70 ft of iced over driveway to get out of a cabin that was down below the main road. Took the cables off up on the road and that was the one and only time I’ve ever chained/cabled up ever!

I suspect the Expedition will be the same.

Last winter we spent 3 days in the worst snow dump I’ve seen in 28 yrs. over 6 ft dumped at 3200 ft where no snow removal equipment exists. Our old 2010 Subaru no cables with decent all seasons had no issues other than one 20ft section of road to our cabin that has a down hill 90 degree off camber turn into a steep 20 ft climb thats slopes off to the right shoulder. Halfway up the climb I slid to the side against the berm. Shoveled about 10ft of the street and drove right up.

I hope the active AWD and variable braking tech on the Expedition is just as good. I don’t see why it wouldn’t be other than the weight disadvantage.

 

[KJ-Idaho]

Perfect. Thanks y’all!

 

[Fozzy]

Good set of tires and if your going someplace extreme a set of Mattrax. These things are amazing. You can get yourself out of snow, mud, sand and use them for ramps up ledges. 4x4 and diff lock can get you places you need these.



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[RONALD CHAN]

How many degree outside? If -10C or warmer, M&S AT is ok.

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[KJ-Idaho]

Unlikely to hit below +10 degrees F. So . . .

also, I am familiar with the mattrax. Like them. Used to have a toyo 4Runner. Not as likely to get crazy with my Expy.

thx guys.

 

[Tocapet]

I live in Colorado. They just passed a law here that, in certain counties, traction devices must be used whenever there's snow. Fortunately, I don't live in any of those counties. But if I happen to travel into one, I need to have the chains or cables. The fine for not having them is pretty hefty.

 

[Plati]

I live in Colorado. They just passed a law here that, in certain counties, traction devices must be used whenever there's snow. Fortunately, I don't live in any of those counties. But if I happen to travel into one, I need to have the chains or cables. The fine for not having them is pretty hefty.

piqued my interest ... the way i read it snow tires are enough, 4WD is even better

https://theknow.denverpost.com/2019/09/20/colorado-new-traction-laws-i-70/224582/

 

[Chris Carl]

THIS

x 3 on this one. Buy snow tires. It’s all about tires. A front driver sedan with blizzak snow tires will out perform most SUVS with All Seasons in the snow/I’ve.

 

[Hanalei Owner]

At last, a question I can answer!

I have a 2018 Expedition and had the same question. I, too, received the ominous warning paper at the time of purchase seemingly saying not to use any type of chain.

I had the same question and repeatedly struck out trying to get an answer. Customer service said "ask your dealer," Ultimately, I wrote an email to Ford's President and, I am happy to say, he was good enough to forward my email to a very high up engineering exec who in turn told me: (1) there actually is no list of approved chains and (2) they strongly recommend using a low profile cable chain, SAE Class-S. Security Chain Super Z6 appears to fit the bill. Also Glacier makes a compatible chain.

 

[Hanalei Owner]

To clarify my last post. My Expedition has 18" wheels. I assume that the answer is the same for 22" wheels, but no promises!

 

[Tocapet]

They say Autosocks are good enough to satisfy the law.

 

[star-art]

We have a 2017 EL XLT and a 2018 "shorty" Platinum. We don't get a lot of snow but live on the side of a mountain so when it does snow, we need traction.

For the 2017 EL XLT, I have an extra set of 17-inch wheels from my old 2009 Expedition that I use for Winter driving. I put traction tires on these and swap them out each season. I also carry cable-type chains for the rear wheels in case I need them.

For the 2018 Platinum with 22-inch wheels, we don't plan to ever drive it in the snow. But, in case of emergency, we have a set of "tire socks." These might tear up after a single use, but they are only for emergencies. Apparently you can't get Winter tires for wheels this big and chains are definitely NOT recommended.

2015+ Expeditions come with three different wheel sizes from the factory. All have the same overall tire diameter. Yes, CCD comes only with 22-inch wheels, but some 2015-17 Navigators with CCD have 20-inch wheels so it's at least theoretically possible to install smaller wheels if you have CCD suspension.

If you live where there's a lot of snow and have a 2018 or newer Expy with big wheels, consider getting a spare set of smaller wheels (18's) and good set of traction tires. You can match the overall outside diameter of the tire so it doesn't throw off the speedometer. So, for your Platinum with 22's you might run 285/45 R22 tires in the Summer and 18s with 275/65 R18 traction tires in the Winter (consider getting them siped).

For my first Expedition, I had Cooper tires in Winter (don't have the model on hand, sorry). These were so "sticky" I lost 10 mpg in mileage but they worked *very* well. For my 2017, I currently have 265/70 R17 Back Country all-terrain tires that are siped.

 

[Calidad]

Ccd I don’t think impacts wheel size. Brake disc clearance does. Smallest stock wheels are 18’s. So 18-22 pick your poison

 

[star-art]

True about brake clearance. CCD has a specially tuned shock damping though. Ford claims the 22-inch wheels were "specifically selected" for CCD which might imply the shock valving program assumes a specific unsprung mass for that wheel and tire combination. Changing that value too much might affect the performance of the CCD. Again, just a theory as I haven't seen anyone try 18-inch wheels with CCD yet. I do know my 17-inch wheel/tire combo is heavier than my 18-inch wheel/tire combo.

 

[BFD350]

At last, a question I can answer!

I have a 2018 Expedition and had the same question. I, too, received the ominous warning paper at the time of purchase seemingly saying not to use any type of chain.

I had the same question and repeatedly struck out trying to get an answer. Customer service said "ask your dealer," Ultimately, I wrote an email to Ford's President and, I am happy to say, he was good enough to forward my email to a very high up engineering exec who in turn told me: (1) there actually is no list of approved chains and (2) they strongly recommend using a low profile cable chain, SAE Class-S. Security Chain Super Z6 appears to fit the bill. Also Glacier makes a compatible chain.

I’ve been trying to locate info on this subject as well. In Colorado the new traction law that could include all passenger vehicles being equipped with chains or auto socks.

Interest post, do you still have that email? Dealers didn’t even know about chain issue with 22”s on Expy (nor the same statements in the manual about the 20”s on my F-350). I’ve tried different avenues to understand it better and get a “ruling” on cables instead of chains. Auto Socks are pricey.



2018 Expedition Platinum
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[flying68]

Here is the text of the Colorado winter traction law:

When icy or snow-packed conditions exist on the highway, the department of transportation may restrict travel on or use of any portion of a state highway by any motor vehicle unless the motor vehicle is equipped with the following: Tire chains or an alternate traction device; four-wheel drive with tires that have a tread depth of at least three sixteenths of an inch and that are adequate for the conditions; all-wheel drive with tires that have a tread depth of at least three sixteenths of an inch and that are adequate for the conditions; or tires that are imprinted by a manufacturer with a mountain-snowflake, "MS", "M+S", or "M/S" symbol or that are all-weather rated by the manufacturer and that have a tread depth of at least three sixteenths of an inch.

So you can see the minimum requirement is 3/16 of tread depth with either all season tires on 4x4 or AWD vehicles or with all season M+S on 2wd vehicles. Winter tires and traction devices are not required if you meet the above for non commercial vehicles. However, if you do a lot of driving in the mountains during the winter it is highly recommended to have winter snow tires on and traction devices available, but if you are just heading to go skiing at the resorts, all seasons with M+S are legal.