This was my first ever set of chains bought for a planned trip to the mountains. Verify that you buy the right size. It can be confusing the first time you lay them out. I would say it's CRITICAL to try them out before you need them. Once you get familiar with the process it really is pretty genius. Putting them on without having to drive forward over them is quite easy. *** Make sure you open the ratchets and pull out the slack before you start ** . Supposedly they should be able to be removed without driving over, but I found that it's just easier to drive off of them once detached. Can't speak for long term durability as I may not use them again for quite a while.

Heading up to the snow and wanted to make sure I had a set of chains to carry just in case. I have a Z71 Colorado 4x4 and the Owner's Manual explicitly states not to install chains. But I grew up in chain country and I just couldn't see how they would do the harm they stated could happen and after trying these out I think that it's likely just a liability cover your tail type of statement.

I hadn't bought chains in a really long time so all the options were a little overwhelming. When I came across these they kinda seemed like a gimicky system to me, but they seemed okay enough and the reviews were mostly positive and I figured they should at least pass any carry requirement.

They are more affordable than many out there and I'm guessing that you generally get what you pay for. They are heavy and sturdy enough, I don't know if they would ultimately handle multiple uses over multiple seasons, but they should get me through to carry and use a couple of times if I'm ultimately required to.

Some other reviews on Amazon warned that the size chart on Amazon didn't match up to the manufacturers so I took their advice and used the manufacturer's website to look up my tire size; 265/60/18. Sure enough, the size chart on Amazon recommended a different set so I'm glad I caught that.

Installation was super easy after reading the instructions for the first tire. I was able to do the second tire just based on memory, drove around in the dirt a little and all seemed good. Removal was easy enough, had to drive forward a little as I wasn't able to line it up just perfectly so that the opening was under the tire, but that's normal for chains anyway so it wasn't a big deal.

We're heading up this weekend to Yosemite snow, if I have to use them I'll update the review with any useful info.

I got these for a trip to Tahoe "˜just in case'. I ended up putting them on on the first day and left them on for 3 days. They look intact after those days with frequent trips. They gave my the car traction that it needed. Without them, I would have been stranded.

I highly recommend you to practice putting them on and taking them off on dry land so you can be sure that you got the right size and you get a mental picture of how the connection mechanisms work. Once you get a hang of it, it is straight forward. Trying to figure all that out in the snow with cars wizzing be is a different story.

Remember max speed with these on is 30mph. Good luck!

Once I figured out how to use them, they were way easier than my old ones.

I drove over the recommended speed limit with chains on and it snapped and dented my wheel well. Product work well adding extra traction on ice and snow. My 2wd truck was able to make it up steep hills with help of the chains. Be careful with your speed!