Snow / ice chains on a quad R1T?

[SSteveEV]

I don't think they forgot. Snow Mode actually puts the vehicle in Low Ride Height at freeway speeds (owner's manual, p126), shrinking the clearance between wheel and wheel well. If you chain up, you need *more* clearance around the wheel. No matter how tight you get those cable chains, at 30 mph, those cross cables or chain segments are flinging tall as they come over the top of the wheel.

The 275/65 tires probably (someone looking at this surely knows better than I) have less inside clearance between tire sidewall and strut parts inside the front wheels, too, hence the restriction specifically for that size.

This company makes pretty skinny chains, and they still require 0.59" of sidewall clearance for their skinniest LT chains. I stuck my hand along the inside sidewall of the front tire of my R1S with stock 275/65 Scorpion AT tires and I don't think there's enough room in there.

Plenty of room in the back though, so I'm going to try some "S" class chains on back only and see how it goes...

good point, though if the 21/22s are okay in lowest, you'd probably be fine with the 275/65/20s in standard if that helps your options.

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[FlightDoc]

can you use snow/ice chains on a quad R1T

Not sure why you need chains or snow tires. My 21" all seasons work fine in snow, ice, mountains in Colorado.

 

[dleepnw]

https://autosock.us/pages/size-finder


For 275/65/R20 https://autosock.us/products/autosock-al69

Please note: Austrians are screwed
AutoSock is a legal alternative to snow chains in Northern America, the EU (except Austria), Switzerland and Asia. For a detailed overview for the US, please see our regulations page.

confused, i dont see 275/65/R20 explicitly listed but youre saying size AL69 will work?

 

[Cycliste]

confused, i dont see 275/65/R20 explicitly listed but youre saying size AL69 will work?

I just used the Size Finder tool on the website. Each sock fits a range of tire sizes. There isn’t a unique AutoSock for each unique tire size

Apparently, 275/65/R20 is not a ‘popular tire size’, so you have to use the Size Finder

 

[ekirkpatrick]

I think it's sad Rivian leaves those of us with 275/65R20's without much of options. I called CS and was told they don't have an accessory for these yet. If going to any California areas in winter and snow is on ground the HP will issue must be using chains, etc. Guess my adventures in an "adventure vehicle" are limited. Appreciate the link above for options.

 

[foxerson]

I bought a set of cables for compliance purposes. Found them on eBay for $100. If I ever actually install them I will be using a drive mode that allows for ride height to be set to high.
https://peerlesschain.com/light-truck-tire-chain/super-z8

I fully expect this will be the fourth set of chains I will own but never use. California requires drivers to carry chains even though CalTrans never actually uses the R3 chain control level that requires chains on a 4WD with snow tires. If I was braver I would have just dug out a random set of chains from a previous vehicle to carry as token of compliance.

 

[AlcesBull]

I think it's sad Rivian leaves those of us with 275/65R20's without much of options. I called CS and was told they don't have an accessory for these yet. If going to any California areas in winter and snow is on ground the HP will issue must be using chains, etc. Guess my adventures in an "adventure vehicle" are limited. Appreciate the link above for options.

I believe you should be able to use AutoSocks to avoid the ticket, and as several people have noted, the ATs or snow tires are rock solid in the snow.

 

[Gorilla5]

Not sure why you need chains or snow tires. My 21" all seasons work fine in snow, ice, mountains in Colorado.

It is not a matter of working 'fine', but certain forest service roads in the winter which I use to access ski touring areas and sledding areas have mandatory "CHAIN UP" requirements. No chains = ticket (and yes, there are often rangers checking). Guess the Rivian R1T adventure vehicle with AT tires cannot access those areas... bit ironic.

 

[usulio]

On 20" ATs, got the Autosocks AL69 but will probably never use them. But they satisfy the legal requirements in CO if extreme traction law ever went into effect. The Pirellis seem great in fresh snow so far, I'm not sure the socks would be better in a blizzard situation.

The other situation is hard packed or icy roads. I would love to be able to use chains or cables in this case, and obviously I would not be in Low height or going over 30mph in those conditions. But I have trouble seeing ever actually stopping and chaining up for such a situation. The people who live there all winter probably get studded tires, and those of us who just visit take it slow I guess.

 

[usulio]

This is in the manual…

Huh, so even with smaller tires, you're only supposed to put chains on the back wheels?
?

 

[ekirkpatrick]

On 20" ATs, got the Autosocks AL69 but will probably never use them. But they satisfy the legal requirements in CO if extreme traction law ever went into effect. The Pirellis seem great in fresh snow so far, I'm not sure the socks would be better in a blizzard situation.

The other situation is hard packed or icy roads. I would love to be able to use chains or cables in this case, and obviously I would not be in Low height or going over 30mph in those conditions. But I have trouble seeing ever actually stopping and chaining up for such a situation. The people who live there all winter probably get studded tires, and those of us who just visit take it slow I guess.

I don't believe the AL69 will fit the 2756520. Have you tried to put them on? Thanks..

 

[usulio]

I don't believe the AL69 will fit the 2756520. Have you tried to put them on? Thanks..

Funny, just tried today, and I'd say they were just a little bit loose. But no issues staying on after driving a mile or two. Incredibly easy to take on and off.

 

[ekirkpatrick]

Funny, just tried today, and I'd say they were just a little bit loose. But no issues staying on after driving a mile or two. Incredibly easy to take on and off.

Cool! Hate to ask but did you take some pics? Would love to see.

 

[usulio]

Cool! Hate to ask but did you take some pics? Would love to see.

Sorry I didn't but I will if I get a chance. Would be interested to hear what others think of the fit.

 

[adst24]

Don't buy autosocks, unless you're literally buying something for legal requirements. R1T works well in snow, it's only ice that you will need additional traction. Autosocks don't provide that. There's some cable "chains" like SZ8 that will likely fit on the back at least. For me, I think I'll only need them when coming down an icy Forest Service road after (backcountry) skiing. I will trial the low profile. Reading that snow mode puts the vehicle in low suspension height...would off road mode offer decent traction and independent wheel traction instead?

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