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-   -   Review: Glacier PLC 1144 Snow chains and SCC ZT729 Snow cables (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/4x4-technical/148599-review-glacier-plc-1144-snow-chains-scc-zt729-snow-cables.html)

I recently got a pair of snow chains and a pair of snow cables.
More on the buying process -> https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/4x4-t...ins-india.html

On a very recent trip, we went to Kothi few kms from Manali. Heavy snowfall overnight ensured snow covered roads.

So we ventured out on the road with just the snow chains on rear wheels first, and later we went beyond Gulaba on Manali Leh highway thanks to cables on the front wheels and chains on the rear.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWKA95tb32E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhPHUYC-hhM

So how was it?
Well awesome is the word.

The Safari is a 4WD, so we can manage around 6-8 inches on the road with some difficulty when going uphill.
Downhill even 1 foot of snow on the road is fine, but risky with no braking control.

Taking a U turn? Impossible even with 4WD.

But chains changed all that. We could keep driving uphill in 1 foot of snow and even managed to take U turns when the road was blocked due to high snow wall.

Chains at the rear


Cables on front wheels


Pattern. Z on front, straight on rear

To sum it up
Glacier Snow chains
Pros

1. Easy to install
2. Hardened Steel - Very durable, rust resistant
3. Very cheap (~50$ before customs)
4. Excellent grip from the square link pattern
5. Great for ice - Cut through easily
6. Suitable for multiple sizes, large adjustment margin

Cons

1. Noisy
2. Very bumpy ride if sections of snow are cleared or there is hard ice
3. No center rib means some skidding downhill
4. Extra slack sections make a tak tak noise as they go flaying around
5. Not enough clearance for front wheels of vehicles like Safari which has very little clearance
6. Tensioner has to be purchased separately, and very easy to lose bits
7. Tensioner gets very hard in sub zero and requires a lot of effort

SCC Cables
Pros

1. Z pattern means good staring control
2. Can be used on cleared roads at slow speeds
3. Not very noisy
4. Tensioner very good quality and also part of the kit
5. Can be used for very low clearance vehicles like safari without any issue

Cons

1. Very difficult to install if vehicle is not on cleared patch. Have to drive onto the cables rather than perform standard installation
2. Easy to make mistake in connecting which can lead to them falling off.
3. Not very good for ice - Slippage is there
4. Not as good traction as the chains. For deep snow it has to be chains

Overall, a great investment if you are a snow hungry and have access to the Himalayas in winters.

If this was last Saturday (March 1), then I guess it was your Safari that we saw parked at Kothi (we drove past twice in the Marshal). The cables/chains were noted at first glance with some curiosity on my part, and while I was busy watching the road, my wife says she spotted "and outsider couple" :) Pity we couldn't have met up... do let us know if/when you'll be around again. Hot coffee / chai (and more) always on offer.

-Eric

Oh wow!
Its a small world.
Were you with the "Film crew"?
We managed to cross Gulaba before 4 feet high snow falls made us turn back. Wasn't easy reversing half a km to find a spot. But we managed

Doing idiotic and unsafe things as usual tsk1979. Loved the review. Missing is comparo with ropes solution at the same spot/venue.

LOL Sudev nothing unsafe this time. We knew there was a BRO camp in gulaba area.
With their snow cutter making rounds every day, and a truck going up and down once per day, we were in safe hands.
As far as ropes are concerned, I have done the rope trick with the Liva. Lasted about 5kms before falling off(breakage due to friction). Moreover, the kind of traction with chains and cables is simply unparalleled.