QG2816 Quik Grip V-Bar Tire Traction Chains for Light Trucks & SUVs - Set of 2 - Heavy Duty Snow Chains for Winter Driving & Off-Road Safety

I live in Washington state and always been concerned about traction needs in the winter months. Many people like the "cable" type of tire chains since they are "springy" and it makes installing them easier (versus actual "chains" like these that don't stay straight across the tire, are much heavier, etc). However, I was with some others when we ended up sliding off the road. We instantly intalled some of those "cable" type chains for trying to get back on the road, but the cable that goes in a circle broke instantly at one of the joints (where a cable going across the tire joined it). So that instantly made me lose all faith in those styles making me want something that'll hold up in any situation.These have a small bar welded to each chain link that contacts the road to help give better traction and/or longer life making them more expensive than many others. I did have a set of these where a link broke right where there was one of those welds, so the weld may have weakened it. I've not had that happen again, but haven't used them that many times every year either. The big thing when installing any kind of tire chains is to remember that you want them to be tight and virtually part of the tire while on the road. Don't just drape them over the tire, connect the hooks to the end link of the chains and start driving because they may flop off the tire easily, start whipping your fenders or even catch on things like a brake line ripping the car apart. You want to work all the slack you can out of the chains and end up with the same number of loose links on both sides of the tire. If you end up with 1 or 2 links on each side that can flop around, that's not a big deal, but 3 or more can again damage the car. To contain them, hold the hook, place the end link that can flop around on it, then place the hook in the link that makes it tight and the end one will be trapped. Many OEMs recomend driving a few blocks on them, then checking them again for slack. Besides doing these things, having the "chain tighteners" (that are a huge rubber band) or some short bungee cords to constantly be pulling them tight to the tire helps as well (with those taking out any slack you missed).With these installed correctly, they will be as good as any others & last as long or longer.