Clip-on tire spikes for winter driving - GIF

**Jon** · Dec 9, 2018, 03:33 PM

Clip-on tire spikes for winter driving. I will be the first to proclaim "gimmicky", but, in this case, I'm also skeptical of my skepticism. These look largely like tire chains, but perhaps easier to install. They have a variety of models with different attachment methods.

2:43 video:

More: Spikes-Spider: Easier, Better than Tire Chains - Winter Driving

Previously:

Estonian ice road and resonance wave destruction - video and photo
NASA Tire Assault Vehicle (TAV), made from a German World War II tank model
Tire doubling machine - GIF
RingMaster large tire changer
Removing bead wire from tire - GIF
Machine for installing tires on rims - GIF
Formula One tire warmers - GIF and photo
Changing tire while driving - GIF

**Frank S** · Dec 9, 2018, 10:56 PM

Even though I live in Texas and it is the rare occasion that we see much if any snow. ICE maybe. However I carry a set of chains in my pickup for the just in case event.
Most chains do little for ice and sometimes even make matters worse. This past weekend it rained a couple inches then we had 1/2" of sleet then 4 to 5 " of snow on top of that. A friend was in Lubbock TX where they got over 10". He called me up and said I see why you carry chains in the winter now, I'm stuck and can't get any traction.
Are you in your pickup I asked.
Yeah that's why I'm stuck.
I told him to fill the bed of his truck about half full with snow and have his wife and kids pack it down while he was filling it. then just drive carefully.
You see ICE weighs 57 lbs to the cubic foot and well packed snow can be close to 45 maybe 50 lbs if it is wet snow and packed tight enough. the bed of a full sized pickup can hold a couple thousand pounds of snow more than enough to give you traction.
Anohter useful hack if you are one of those who have "O" ring tires on spoke rims and a rope is to wrap the rope through the rims around the tires tie it off to itself and you have just invented tire ropes.
For ICE lower your tire pressure as much as you dare with out risk of sidewall damage pour some bleach on the tires and on the ground to get yourself going then drive at a steady slow speed. or dump some kitty litter on the ground in front of the tires drive at a safe slow speed.
Dangerously under inflated tires should never be driven on for long periods of time but most tires can be ran around 10 to 15 PSI under inflated without lasting problems as long as you do so with common sense.
PS the only time I have used my chains in recent years was in the summer time as mud chains

**bimmer1980** · Dec 11, 2018, 07:55 AM

Frank -- Interesting insights for gaining traction!

What does the bleach do? I've only heard of using bleach at the drag strip to allow wheel spin up.....

**Frank S** · Dec 11, 2018, 08:39 AM

Originally Posted by bimmer1980

Frank -- Interesting insights for gaining traction!

What does the bleach do? I've only heard of using bleach at the drag strip to allow wheel spin up.....

the bleach will wet the tires melting the ice just a little you could use antifreeze and do the same thing but antifreeze has an attractive odor and taste to animals. winterized windshield washer fluid will do the same thing, or alcohol but bleach in not attractive to animals
You can even use hot water but depending on how cold it is the water may freeze before you get moving.
the Kitty litter works best. The trick is use what you have to get just enough traction to begin moving

**ranald** · Dec 28, 2018, 02:50 AM

Originally Posted by Jon

Clip-on tire spikes for winter driving. I will be the first to proclaim "gimmicky", but, in this case, I'm also skeptical of my skepticism. These look largely like tire chains, but perhaps easier to install. They have a variety of models with different attachment methods.

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2:43 video:

Wonder if some crim/fool could try to counteract Police spikes with these. Sorry! didn't want to put ideas in young heads: some are spaced out enough, off the snow.