Slippery when white

This thread brings back winter memories of being raised in northern Minnesota in the 40's before salt and snow tires. Maybe some sand or cinders at a busy stop sign. A common winter sound was a chain cross link slapping against a rear fender. They even used to plow many sidewalks with a horse pulling a wooden V plow and the guy standing on a cross plank. Kind of dating myself I guess.
 
Great info I have enjoyed reading it all. I'll think about this a bit more, might take me till spring to figure out what to do. Hope the snow is light this year. I look forward to driving my A every day. Thanks
 
No need for stinkin' chains...Maybe a wider rear wheels? :eek:
 

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When I had my first Model, back in the 1960's, I found a set of light truck chains that fit just right, and I used them quite often in the California mountains. I remember them working very well, and the Model A would go through pretty deep snow with those tall 19" tires and chains. I installed them as tight as I could, then used good quality chain tighteners all around...never had one come loose or cause any damage. A good set of heavy truck chains will work better than thin cable chains for heavy snow.
 
whirnot said:
Somebody mentioned making your own chains out of rope, Just wrapping then around the wheels. Seems to me that would work for a short distance, might be fun to try.
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Bill, Chief ALWAYS carried short lengths of hemp rope & tied several through the spokes for MUD or SNOW. They usually "went away" after 4 or 5 miles, after we got on the gravel road. For the winter, he always took off the 16's & put the 19's back on as they were MUCH better for mud. Bill W.
 
QGolden said:
Why? It is done all the time?
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yea if anything it will save the limited slip from having to activate and wearing down...

some states outlawed tirechains FYI. but as one of my professors who puts them on his escort when its bad out whos gonna catch him?:rolleyes:
 
jrelliott said:
... Four wheel drive with good all season tires or even better snow tires will usually get you going, but you cannot stop any better than two wheel drive contrary to what a lot of people driving the four wheel SUV think.
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Anybody making a 4WD conversion for a Model A?
 
I was not aware that they are outlawed anywhere. The are required in some western states. I use them on my plow truck, and carry the ******** ones in my Explorer. They actually work well, and are easy to put on.
 
IL they are illegal to use, now if your stuck and need to put on the emergency ones i doubt anyone going to complain as your more of a hazard to others with your car stuck but to have them on just for the sake of better traction then yes they are illegal.
 
Studded tires have been banned in many states cause they tore up the road. Never saw chains outlawed. Have been places where chains were required especially in Washington state.
 
ALL school buses that I've seen have chains hanging right above the tires. Just waiting to be used if needed.
 
In Co, truckers are required to carry chains certain times of the year, even if the roads are bare dry.
 
SeaSlugs said:
IL they are illegal to use, now if your stuck and need to put on the emergency ones i doubt anyone going to complain as your more of a hazard to others with your car stuck but to have them on just for the sake of better traction then yes they are illegal.
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I didn't think that sounded right:
(625 ILCS 5/12‑401) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑401) Sec. 12‑401. (Portion deleted)Restriction as to tire equipment. All motor vehicles of the second division, operating upon any roadway shall have pneumatic tires, unless exempted herein. Nothing in this Section shall be deemed to prohibit the use of tire chains of reasonable proportion upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid.​
 
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ahh so i was wrong...coulda sworn they told us only letter carriers were allowed to use them in drivers ed a while back...
 
About five years ago, someone from Pennsylvania, posted a picture of them driving their Model A sedan in deep snow.

Instead of using chains, they tied rope around the tires and through the spokes, said it worked great and no worries about a broken chain beating up the fenders.
 
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