[mwkincaid1]

I'll be driving up to the snow 2-3 times a year, I have the Lariat Extended range, and the owners manual only says this;

"Only use snow chains on the rear wheels. Install snow chains in pairs. Do not use self-tensioning snow chains.
Only use snow chains on 275/65R18 tire size. Only install chains that are 15mm or less (SAE Class S chains).
We recommend you use steel wheels of the same size and specification if snow chains are required because chains may chip aluminum wheels."

Is there a middle-ground option besides getting a dedicated set of 18" snow wheels/tire combo?

 

[Soloekahi]

I’d like to know this too. I was going to call the dealer and ask since it says to contact the dealer for more info. I’m assuming they are saying no self tensioning chains because it could damage the rims but I can’t see why else you couldn’t. Also, if chains work then I’m sure snow cables would also work and would be less aggressive than the chains.

 

[Rthol21]

I’d like to know this too. I was going to call the dealer and ask since it says to contact the dealer for more info. I’m assuming they are saying no self tensioning chains because it could damage the rims but I can’t see why else you couldn’t. Also, if chains work then I’m sure snow cables would also work and would be less aggressive than the chains.

Just got my Platinum yesterday so new here but I fully do not expect to use chains when I go up to the mountains to snowboard given the AWD. I am going to start looking into new rims/tires that are more knobby/off-road than stock.

 

[Soloekahi]

Just got my Platinum yesterday so new here but I fully do not expect to use chains when I go up to the mountains to snowboard given the AWD. I am going to start looking into new rims/tires that are more knobby/off-road than stock.

Unfortunately in California, there are different tiers of chain control. R2 - 4x4/AWD vehicles are exempt from chain controls if they have snow rated tires. However they must have chains. R3 - all vehicles need chains no exemptions. While new rims/tires would be good, out here it would sure suck to get to the base and get turned around.

 

[Rthol21]

Unfortunately in California, there are different tiers of chain control. R2 - 4x4/AWD vehicles are exempt from chain controls if they have snow rated tires. However they must have chains. R3 - all vehicles need chains no exemptions. While new rims/tires would be good, out here it would sure suck to get to the base and get turned around.

Yeah I live here in San Diego and never once have had to put chains on my 2019 ford ranger Lariat fx4 in the past 3 years while driving to big bear or mammoth. I transplanted from the PNW in 2011 so the chain restrictions seemed strange to me when reading about them at first but no restrictions have stopped me yet! 🤞

 

[Soloekahi]

Ha. I’m in San Diego as well! Yea. My previous truck was a Tacoma trd off road with aggressive tires. While no one has ever told me to have chains on my tires when going up the mountains in the last 8 years, I did get asked to show that I had them one time. Granted it was in the middle of a huge snow storm but if they turned me around because I didn’t have them, that would have sucked.

 

[mwkincaid1]

So I was able to dig up some additional info and interesting products. So for clarification, I'm in the California Central Valley and like to visit Lake Tahoe in the winter. Maybe 2-3 times a year if i'm lucky. I found a nice website to differentiate the different levels of restrictions: Chain Control Status Chart
I know Ford's owner manual says to only run Class s chains/cables on the rear wheels for the people with 18" wheels.
Here is a link to a brand new product I've never heard of, has anyone ever used it before, Textile Snow Chains

Amazon.com: ISSE Textile Snow Chains, Classic, Size 74 : Automotive

Buy ISSE Textile Snow Chains, Classic, Size 74: Car - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

And I'm torn if I should get decent or overkill chains/ cables
cables: https://www.etrailer.com/Tire-Chains/Ford/F-150+Lightning/2022/PW3029C.html?VehicleID=20226007898
Chains: https://www.etrailer.com/Tire-Chains/Ford/F-150+Lightning/2022/KON44FR.html?VehicleID=20226007898

Any and all thoughts and opinions will be taken into consideration and appreciated.

 

[Miskatonic]

Yeah I live here in San Diego and never once have had to put chains on my 2019 ford ranger Lariat fx4 in the past 3 years while driving to big bear or mammoth. I transplanted from the PNW in 2011 so the chain restrictions seemed strange to me when reading about them at first but no restrictions have stopped me yet! 🤞

I am thinking that this post is not going to age well in 2023.😃

 

[hamishhillnz]

@mwkincaid1 did you end up buying chains?

 

[mwkincaid1]

@mwkincaid1 did you end up buying chains?

I ended up buying a set of 18" take off's from a ICE F-150, and then buying chains for those. I never had to put the chains on, but here is a link to what I bought.

https://www.etrailer.com/Tire-Chains/Ford/F-150+Lightning/2022/PW2028C.html?VehicleID=20226007899

 

[everiklevine]

I am thinking of buying a set of Konig XXL K79 tire chains (at this point, a lot cheaper than a new set of decent snow tires to replace the cruddy stock Generals). They are zero clearance (and sized for 275/60-20), but they are auto-tensioning. Our Lightning manual says no to auto-tensioning. Does anyone know why these chains would not work? I'm thinking that the term auto-tensioning from Ford is different than the one-time auto-tensioning feature that the Konig K-Summits have is different.

I don't really intend on using these unless there's an emergency. In CA even with snow rated tires and 4WD we are required to at least "carry" chains with us. In the rare circumstance that I need 4WD AND chains, I don't plan on being on the road.

Anyone withe experience with the K-Summits, even with another vehicle?

 

[ericaestrella14]

I’d like to know this too. I was going to call the dealer and ask since it says to contact the dealer for more info. I’m assuming they are saying no self tensioning chains because it could damage the rims but I can’t see why else you couldn’t. Also, if chains work then I’m sure snow cables would also work and would be less aggressive than the chains.

Our dealership said to use cables only