Tire Chains for winter driving

Browniepetersen

When I picked up the 36 English Hudson it was disassembled. As we loaded parts and such in the trailer there was a bag of tire chains that were part of the items I recovered. They have sat in the shop for years and I pulled them out today and checked to see if they would fit the 600X16 tires and rim. They do. So, how far back do tire chains go? How common were they in 1936? The car left Hong Kong in the early-mid 40's and went to Canada-wonder if that is where they became part of the winter gear? Any thoughts?

hudsontech

I've seen tire chain ads from the 1920's, but can't remember what publication at this point.

Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN

J Spencer

Man, I installed many a set of chains in the late fifties working at my dad's gas station. Stilll in use untill radial tires, front wheel drive and 4 wheel drive. Chains are still for sale and use in certain snow belt areas. Strange as it may seem that on the road from/to Los Angeles & Las Vegas chains are required during a certain time of the year at the higher elevations because of the amount of snow that may occur. Members in that area can be more specific.

StillOutThere

Yes, chains continue to be required to traverse mountain passes on cars and trucks during adverse winter conditions. Or in flat old Illinois when I was a kid in the '50s my dad put them on and off the family cars several times per winter just to get to work and mom to the grocers. Tie down the loose ends or you would beat the paint and sheet metal around the wheel well!!! I had more than my share of installing them on cars, trucks and tractors (some used as snow plows). I live in Texas now !!!

rambos_ride

LOL - I have a simple rule...if you're driving a vehicle that needs tire-chains, you're driving the wrong vehicle in the wrong conditions.

[Deleted User]

Chains were very common in the late 40s and 50s. In somewhat flat Iowa some people would put them on in early winter and leave them on all winter. In those days speeds were much slower and people traveled much less and much shorter distances. 50 plus years ago I found a Model T in a farmers shed that hadn't run for decades with chains still on it. Should have bought it! I still have a set for my Hudson and have been tempted to put them on and take it to a car show. I bet some of the young people wouldn't know what they are, after all some still call it a Mercury. lol Oh, I should add in my part of the country there were very few paved roads.

hudsontech

I love people who go out and buy a 4 x 4 and figure they can go anywhere with it. 4wd don't work worth spit on ice. Only people who benefit from the folks that think they know how to drive a 4wd are the tow truck operators who haul your Jeep out of the ditch!!!!
I've had several 4wd trucks over the years. Best thing you can put on a 4wd is a winch.

Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN

rambos_ride

grin..I'm not the weekend-warrior 4x4 driver you speak of..my daily driver since I was 18 years old has been a 4x4 of one flavor or another..that's cough cough...33+ years and several hundred thousand miles driving a 4x4 in all conditions.

I know how to drive and stop, and have a healthy respect for the limitations even with a 4x4.

Lee ODell

Here in California, if it is snowing on the Angeles Crest Hwy (mountain 2 lane road) when you get to the chain check point you can't go any further without chains, no matter the vehical or driving experience in the snow. No chains no go. There is a place that rents chains at the bottom of Angeles Crest Hwy. I suppose that is the same all over Calif. mountain roads when it is snowing at higher elevation. Snow on major Hwy I-5 out of Los Angeles gets shut down completely when it snows.

Lee O'Dell

[Deleted User]

I remember my dad cussin' and fussin' about putting chains on the car to go to work in Washington DC. We lived on Suitland Rd which was the road to the main gate at Andrews Air Force Base. What made him mad was they would plow from DC south to the base in the morning. Once that was cleared they would clear the road north to the city AFTER he arrived at work. LOL

Kevin C.

Uncle Josh

Well, here in the Adirondacks, when I was growing up, a lot of the roads were dirt with hard-packed snow. They didn't sand/salt either like they do now. A sled would do at least a mile from my house on any night.

Also, I had forgotten how bad the bias tires were until I tried to get the Hornet out of the shed with an inch or so of snow on the ground last year. You either used chains or 'You go in snow, or we pay the tow' tires. These radials, especially with the front drive and engine weight over them are nearly as good as the chains were. Remember the two chains held on with a leather strap?

Fords were the worst. I remember pushing my neighbor girl's 57 convertible up the hill to get home with my old 49 Hudson, a little tricky since the Ford wanted to fishtail.

4 wheel drive is good in snow but bad on ice. If everything spins, there's 'nathin' (correct pronunciation of the word 'nothing') to hold ya from sliding sideways.

oldhudsons

when a kid in no. Ind. & driving around in my '48 Stude. Champ. convertible I remember using "snow tires" which had a very open tread so didn't need snow tires (with the lowering blocks & fender skirts I had on it couldn't have put on snow tires anyway, LOL).

Uncle Josh

Yas, and then there is the proverbial story about the salesman getting caught in an early blizzard, having a local garage install studs, and turning in the bill to his employer for 'Stud service'.

hudsontech

The one I like is, and I was there when it happened, back when the Olds Toranado's came out with front wheel drive, an elderly gentleman brought his into a local garage to have his snow tires put on. The gentleman got all upset when Sonny started pulling the front tires off. He said "obviously you don't know what you are doing - put those tires on the back like they're supposed to be!!!" Sonny just shrugged and proceeded to put the snow tires on the back. LOL

Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN

4Hud

Chains on an early KisselKar.

EssexAdv

Check this out. A bit of history on the tire chain

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/patent-for-tire-chain-issued

Lew

54SuperWasp

I remember 1971 has having a huge storm in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Even the police car with his snow-chains had to leave it in the middle of the street. When the snow melted after a few days, we would go on the sidewalks between the snow banks. There was a guy with (what I recall) a 1938 Plymouth who drove all winter with it. The pics are not too good cause they were in a basement with a lot of humidity...The last picture is about what to do when there is a snow storm outside...Michel

hudsontech

Alex B wrote: "I've seen tire chain ads from the 1920's, but can't remember what publication at this point."
Now I remember the ad - thanks Lew for the tire chain history. It was an ad for Weed chains I saw at some point.

Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN

Uncle Josh

Weed V-bar

Snow chains were invented in 1904 by Harry D. Weed in Canastota, New York. Weed received U.S. Patent Number 768495 for his "Grip-Tread for Pneumatic Tires" on August 23, 1904. Weed's great-grandson, James Weed, said that Harry got the idea of creating chains for tires when he saw drivers wrap rope, or even vines, around their tires to increase traction on muddy or snowy roads, which were the norm at the turn of the 20th century. He sought to make a traction device that was more durable and would work with snow as well as mud.[1]

In July 1935, the Canadian Auguste Trudeau obtained a patent for his tread and anti-skidding chain.[