I have lived in Florida since I got my drivers license. Which was over 30 years ago. In thinking back, I can recall driving in snow just a couple times. The most recent was about 7 years ago during a Christmas vacation to NYC when we went to a ski resort in Pennsylvania a few times. One of those times it was snowing hard, there were many cars in ditches, but I got us there safely in a Nissan Altima.

The first week of January we are going to the mountains of North Carolina. Our cabin is one of those that the description states "4WD drive recommended." I have stayed in this type before, since it has a mountain view it's usually at the top, with a long, winding, narrow gravel road to access it. But I have always stayed in this type of place during the spring, summer or fall.

I would like to be prepared in case we get snow or ice while we are there. While I will be perfectly content to sit in the cabin the entire time we are there, we do have to make the drive at least twice, once to check in and once to check out. My vehicle is a 4WD Suburban with 22" tires.

In reading some threads on snow chains, I see everyone says they are a complete pain in the rear. Amazon has these things that mimic chains, but are essentially large zip ties that go around the tire / rim. Has anyone used these? Or do you have another recommendation?

If the weather turns bad, I should only need to use these for the few miles of gravel until I can make it to to paved road. These will basically be an emergency back up. My hope will be they stay in the package and get returned to Amazon unused after our trip. Given my circumstances, what would you do?

Edited to add - Tires are Michelin Defender LTX M/S2. Standard highway tires. Swapping out for snow tires is not an option. Remember, I live in Florida.

You’ve got a 4WD Subaru….actually all wheel drive…..you’ll be fine, I wouldn’t bother with chains (yes, a huge PIA) or those cheesy zip ties. Having lived my entire life in the North East I’ve never used them….only at work during blizzards with three feet of snow and that was on fire trucks cause we didn’t have the option of staying in

Zip ties? No.

4 WD Surburban is heavy enough to get thru snow in NC. For extra security --go to Home Depot and get 2 50 lb bags of sandbox sand. Put weight over the rear axle. If you get stuck--use sand for traction.

Depends on the tires your sub has. If basic highway tires that won't do in real snow and ice. Remember it is not going up that is the problem. It is getting down where the hazard is. really.

Snow rated tires in good condition.
Working 4x4 (check before)
A few bags of sand
Shovel
Come-along with cable, pulley, and tree straps

You’ll probably be fine.

V-bar chains will buy you a lot of traction, especially if there is ice.

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
Depends on the tires your sub has.

Michelin Defender LTX M/S2

It is a standard highway tire.

What part of NC? We don't get a lot of snow in most places but some of the higher elevations may be tricky. I personally wouldn't worry about it if your tires are in decent shape.

Most new vehicles don't have enough clearance for actual chains. I've lived in MN my whole life - while I won't be without a 4x4 - when I've gotten stuck no amount of chains would have helped me. Bring a shovel and some sand for traction.

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Huffman:
What part of NC? We don't get a lot of snow in most places but some of the higher elevations may be tricky. I personally wouldn't worry about it if your tires are in decent shape.

Blowing Rock. Actual cabin address is outside Blowing Rock, Lenoir. My best guess is the cabin is sitting at around 4,000 feet of elevation.

quote:

Originally posted by holdem:
Michelin Defender LTX M/S2
It is a standard highway tire.

Those should be fine. I live in the mountains at 7,400 feet. We get over 140" of snowfall each year and I never use chains. As long as you have decent tread on the tires and the 4WD works they should be fine.

You guys are scarin me. i hate driving on ice.

Basic highway tires will be next to useless in deep or packed down snow. Even with a decent amount of tread depth they won't grip snow. A little skiff of snow on top of gravel won't be a problem if the tread is nearly new, because the gravel will poke up into the tire for grip.

The cable type of "chains" work pretty well. I wouldn't trust zip tie style. Be sure whatever you get is rated for your vehicle. Read your owner's manual to see what is acceptable.

If the snow is packed down it is pretty much like ice. Sand works quite well to add grip.

Remember that 4WD doesn't help you stop any better. It can give a false sense of security because it does improve acceleration and ability to get through snow, but when you step on the brakes there is suddenly little or no traction.

Get a collapsible shovel to bring with you in case you need to dig out.

quote:

Originally posted by holdem:

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
Depends on the tires your sub has.

Michelin Defender LTX M/S2

It is a standard highway tire.

Those are my all time favorite year round tire. I've run them for years on various Toyota 4Runners in hilly Western PA with zero concerns. Great on snow and ice but quiet on dry roads.

Isn't the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 tire rated as all season? Google searches say they are but ??? Living in N Utah I have Yokohama all season tires (don't know the model) on my Subaru Legacy and have never come close to being stuck in snow. Last year was record snow pack for us FYI. (Read that as a boatload of snow) I also ski at least once a week. Typically getting to a ski resort after a big snow storm will require chains or AWD. Zero problems. I don't really see you having any kind of problem.

quote:

Originally posted by holdem:
Michelin Defender LTX M/S2

It is a standard highway tire.

That's what I have on my Yukon. They do well in snow. I've driven in MN snow for 42 years and have never put chains on.

The thing that gives me pause is those 22-inch wheels. They have less clearance between the fender and tire, leaving you little room for your hands and arms to go between them, as well as possible clearance problems with chains. The cable style might be better. As well, the tires are necessarily quite wide, which you don't really want in snow. In your favor, snowfall there is measured in inches, not feet. Be sure your 4wd actually works.

quote:

Originally posted by P220 Smudge:
Zip ties? No.

I'd guess this is not an actual zip tie, but something that attaches to the wheel using the principle of a zip tie.

quote:

Originally posted by holdem:

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Huffman:
What part of NC? We don't get a lot of snow in most places but some of the higher elevations may be tricky. I personally wouldn't worry about it if your tires are in decent shape.

Blowing Rock. Actual cabin address is outside Blowing Rock, Lenoir. My best guess is the cabin is sitting at around 4,000 feet of elevation.

Just up the road from me. Chances are you'll be fine unless you have some really steep hills, even if it does snow.

you will probably be fine with what you have,

not in the mountians, but in Central Va, and run Dunlap Gran Trec (not very aggressive) on the Tundra,

all factory truck, and have never been stuck in over a foot of snow,

make sure the 4wd works, (I drove thru one winter of bad snow w/o and had no issues)
put some weight in the back as recommended,

blankets, shovel, ( I have an entrenching tool) straps etc if you feel the need,

honestly, keep calm,, take it easy, and know when to stop, and you will be fine

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:
I'd guess this is not an actual zip tie, but something that attaches to the wheel using the principle of a zip tie.

Yes, correct, here is a link;
https://www.amazon.com/Chains-...mcx_mr_hp_atf_m&th=1