Snow chains on 20" rims?

[FisherPete]

I'm on my 2nd Expy. The new 2012 LTD sports 20" rims with 275/55-R20s. According to the book, I should NOT use chains on these wheels. What's the risk? Are my choices body damage or the ditch?

I'm not really ready to drop $1800 on a dedicated set of snows/rims and am hoping that my M+S Scorpions will be OK, with cable chains as a back up.

 

[GAINMOB]

well...if youre willing to risk everything then go ahead...must be a reason why they said dont do it...your M+S should be fine...post a pic of the tread on here...more than likely you'll scratch the rims up...maybe the chains wont fit properly

 

[alaskanexpy]

the scorpions suck IMO are you 4x4? if you are you should be able to get by but be very careful stopping/turning.

 

[Canadian Expy]

I sucked it up and bought snows, figure cheaper than smashing into someone and paying for damages.

 

[FisherPete]

I agree about the Scorpions ... squirmy feeling. The problem with full snows is the new rubber compound is great for snow and ice, but wear out in a season of mixed surface driving. I really can't afford to drop $1K on a half-dozen ski trips. Certainly my next set of tires will be something else.

 

[FisherPete]

So today I took the Scorpions for a trial run on snowy/icy roads. I have to say, I was pretty happy with how they performed. With the transfer case set to 4x4H, they were solid and felt confident! In slushy snow in AWD, the anti-lock breaks were chaotic and nasty - lumping, chunking and lurching. But in 4x4H and 4x4L in both slush and on ice, I don't anticipate worrying about finding the ditch. Mainly, I think it's the vehicle weight and the drive train, but the tires did their part too!

 

[jasonlmarsh]

You might be ok with Textile tire chains, at least they wont chew up your rims. ISSE Textile Snow Chain Pair (Super Size 70)

 

[FisherPete]

Uh, I'm not sure I like the look of the textile ... seems like I'd need to drink eggnog latte to drive with those!

 

[Toyman]

I was reading something recently about M&S tires. When the temps fall to below 40*F (4*C) the rubber compound virtually loses all it's traction ability. Anyone else read anything along these lines. I live in a cold winter climate area so I have a mounted set of studded winter (not snow) tires that I use from October - March.