Snow Socks on 20" AT setup

[Visket]

Greetings -

The Owner's Manual sez "No chains/cables on the 20" wheel setup"..... not enough room to clear the wheel wells. Voids warranty.

I should know better, but I'm asking for recommendations on where to get some *quality* snow socks.

Serious answers only, please. And that doesn't include "I don't know". OK?

Go!

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[Redmond Chad]

Aurgh...I just picked up my R1S with 20's. I never even thought to check if it was possible to put chains on; I just figured it would be given the character of the vehicle.

Let's see, Isse truck snow socks...for 275/65/20, you'd need a size 80 - see HERE.

And HERE is a place that sells a pair for $200 CDN.

 

[VSG]

I have Autosock AL69.
You can buy them on the interweb.

 

[Visket]

You two are awesome. Thank you.

So, because the Rivian Owner's Manual sez (Pg 226):

275/65 R20	Only use government approved textile-based snow traction devices on the 275/65 R20 tires. CAUTION Don't use snow chains or cables on the 275/65 R20 tires. Metal snow traction devices can damage the vehicle body. Damage caused by snow traction devices is not covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

I'll run these two suggestions by my Guide and Service Center manager. Gotta be careful, eh? Though, to be fair, it doesn't specify which government, seeing as the ISSE units are from Canada.

Let's see what happens...

 

[chrismc]

Autosock brand is specifically called out as approved by the State of Washington (WSDOT) and National Park Service (Mt Rainier NP) to meet their textile traction device chain alternative requirements, which are my local jurisdictions that I bought them for.

 

[Visket]

Autosock brand is specifically called out as approved by the State of Washington (WSDOT) and National Park Service (Mt Rainier NP) to meet their textile traction device chain alternative requirements, which are my local jurisdictions that I bought them for.

Yep - thanks for the update.

I'm finding out each state has it's own regulations when it comes to these devices. Autosock claims to be approved in every state (+Canada, +Europe, +Japan), so that's a good start.

I fired off an email to my Service Center / Guide with links to the ISSE and Autosock websites, to see if these companies have the level of "government approval" Rivian is requiring. Jeeesh - really?

 

[Ventura]

I've never tried auto socks of any kind, but I did save myself in a large (26,000 lb truck) with paper towels once in snow, so I'd imagine they are an improvement.

 

[Greg Chick]

Greetings -

The Owner's Manual sez "No chains/cables on the 20" wheel setup"..... not enough room to clear the wheel wells. Voids warranty.

I should know better, but I'm asking for recommendations on where to get some *quality* snow socks.

Serious answers only, please. And that doesn't include "I don't know". OK?

Go!

I drove my R1T in snow mode up a mountain to 6,000 ft. elevation in a blizzard and the road was as white as the air. No chains or socks. In addition my 2 front 21" all weather Parelli tires were worn down to the tread bar and at 1mm tread depth. That is to say they were not knoby or even enough treat to meet dry road conditions. The truck did not even slide or even feel like it was slipping at all. The road was steeper than 7% slope and windy. I of course was driving at between 5 to 10 MPH, but that was because of vision requirements, I was trying to see the road.
So, the snow mode is with the Quad system and worth it. However, snow mode sucks the watts right out of the batteries and shortens the range in addition to the cold temperature.

 

[LivingInKaos]

I've used socks on my vehicles the past few years after having used them in Europe. I won't go back to chains. They are so easy to put on/take off, work just as well as chains- actually even better in some circumstances. Just a no brainer. I have the Isse's that are mentioned, but Autosocks are the most popular here in the states.

 

[obababoy]

This was something that was bothering me. I saw both AT wheels in person and they stick out more than the tires. Im guessing this is to improve road handling and prevent tire roll, but man these wheels are going to get wrecked off-road if not careful.

 

[Visket]

This was something that was bothering me. I saw both AT wheels in person and they stick out more than the tires. Im guessing this is to improve road handling and prevent tire roll, but man these wheels are going to get wrecked off-road if not careful.

Yeah - that is a sore spot for me as well - good fodder for another thread dedicated to just that. At least the schrader valves are somewhat protected (by 1/2" or so) from the same rock that just gouged your wheel...

 

[Visket]

Thanks for a very productive discussion.

Looks like I'll forward the ISSE and AutoSocks to my Service Center for "approval".

 

[donaldbyrd]

Thanks for a very productive discussion.

Looks like I'll forward the ISSE and AutoSocks to my Service Center for "approval".

Did you get a reply?

 

[ekirkpatrick]

Did you get a reply?

There is another thread on this topic as well. I reached out to SC to inquire about what products they recommend since Rivian says can't use chains. They had no recommendations or advice. They said they would submit it 'up the chain" (pun). I expressed disappointment to them for not considering advice for AT 275/65/20. Tire size is difficult for me to find socks. Expensive as well. But if going places where HP or FS says have to have them then guess I gotta get something. I think this is case where technology has gone beyond regulations.

 

[donaldbyrd]

There is another thread on this topic as well. I reached out to SC to inquire about what products they recommend since Rivian says can't use chains. They had no recommendations or advice. They said they would submit it 'up the chain" (pun). I expressed disappointment to them for not considering advice for AT 275/65/20. Tire size is difficult for me to find socks. Expensive as well. But if going places where HP or FS says have to have them then guess I gotta get something. I think this is case where technology has gone beyond regulations.

thanks for the reply. In reading prior posts, I went out and picked up some of the ISSE snow socks. Their distributors are all out of size 80 which is what their website recommends. However, the shop I purchased at suggested I stop by since they never really tested on our wheels before. We were able to fit size 78 without issue. One caveat is that there are two types: red and white. The red didn’t fit but the white fit perfectly. It’s supposed to snow this weekend. I’ll let you know how it turns out if I have to use them.

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