CHAINS

by Tom Hagin

    Snow - soft, white, slippery, sometimes a thorn in the side of those who don't enjoy it, but a blessing to all those who rely on winter sports for fun and/or profit.

    They become less enthusiastic, however, when Mother Nature dumps snow faster than plows can clear it from the roadway. Their trip to or from the resort turns into a multiple-hour drive complete with spin-outs, near-collisions, slow driving speeds and frazzled nerves.

    Four-wheel-drive vehicles have flourished as the '90's progress, but what about those folks who must pull off at the nearest turnout to install traction-improving devices like chains?

    Our recent trip affirmed that there are still many who haven't bought into the 4WD idea. We saw more than a dozen cars stuck in snow banks or in the two feet of fresh powder piled on the side of the highway. When a big storm hits, road maintenance authorities issue a chains-required situation. Sometimes even when plows do keep the road relatively clear, icy conditions make it hazardous to drive.

    "It was terrible," skier John Witucki said after a 10-hour ride home from an otherwise pleasant ski trip. "All these cars passed right by the chains-required signs and when they got to a steep grade, they couldn't make it up. So they started putting chains on right in the middle of the road." Fortunately, Witucki's 2WD pickup was wearing chains.

    Traffic jams due to these circumstances are becoming a headache for many vacationers. Those with 4WD can cruise easily through deep snow without much thought but when it comes time to stop or slow down quickly, they might as well be driving a 2WD without chains. "More than half of those stuffed into snow banks were driving 'wheelers," Witucki said. "They figure it's still OK to drive 55 mph since they've got 4WD. The speed limit's 25 or 30 mph, so they learn quick," he said.

    Many have planned well enough in advance of their trip to purchase devices that are much easier to install than conventional link-type chains. Some are cable chains and some use small links to provide traction. Both are designed to hook easily inside the wheel and a rubber tensioner is used on the outside portion. If practiced a few times, chain installation should take less than five minutes for each wheel.

    At local auto parts supply houses, chains are offered at a reasonable price, around $40 for cable or conventional link-type. Some cars come with performance rubber so they must use a chain that not only fits wide tires, but can accommodate low fender clearances as well. At $80 and up, they're not cheap, but then again body and paint work caused by a broken chain is quite a bit more money.

    A new type of traction-enhancing device is called the Spider-Spike. It utilizes a semi-permanent attachment that bolts to the center area of the front wheels of, of course, front-wheel-drive vehicles. A second attachment connects to this hub, and the whole process takes only a few minutes install at the roadside. At $350 a set, though, its buyer must really hate dealing with chains.

    So if you decide to use your two-wheel-drive vehicle on a trip to the snow country, try these tips to help you along the way:

    TRY THEM ON AT HOME: To purchase chains, you must provide the dealer with the exact size of your tires. But don't just take his word that they fit, try them in your driveway first, both sides, and be 100 percent sure they fit.

    PUT THEM ON THE DRIVE WHEELS: Yes, it happens a lot to first-timers. Drivers sometimes put the chains on the rear tires, only to find that they have a front-wheel-drive car. Find out first.

    BRING A TARP TO LAY ON: Reaching underneath your vehicle in the mud and slush can ruin clothing and dispositions, so bring something to lay on as you install chains, or a sturdy rain jacket and pants.

    GO EASY: Don't expect to drive as fast with them on as with them off. There's steering and stopping to deal with.