Comparing Snow Socks, Cables, and Tire Chains for a 2020 Subaru Forester Touring  

Introduction I have a 2020 Subaru Forester AWD for which I desire to obtain traction devices. My 2020 Subaru Forester owners manual states, Tire chains cannot be used on your vehicle because of the lack of clearance between the tires and vehicle body. The owners manual goes on to state, When tire chains cannot be used, use of another type of traction device such as spring chains may be acceptable if use on your vehicle is recommended by the device manufacturer, taking into account tire size and road conditions....Make certain that any traction device you use is an SAE class S device, and use it on the front wheels only. Option 1: ISSE Hybrid Snow Socks part # TCH70. After searching your web page for similar questions, I found the following expert help response by Conner L on your web page https://www.etrailer.com/question-337746.html. It includes this discussion for a 2019 Subaru Forester Touring with 225/55-18 tires, and it states [t]he best traction device we have for your 2019 Subaru Forester Touring with 225/55-18 is the ISSE Hybrid Snow Socks part # TCH70. The snow socks will not void your factory warranty and they will do a good job of providing traction in light snow. The advantage that these snow socks have over a standard tire chain is that they are easy to install which you can see from the sample video and they wont ever damage the vehicles wheels. I have the following questions for your experts regarding my newer 2020 Subaru Forester Touring AWD with similar 225/55 R18 98H M+S all season tires: Question 1A. Does your recommendation to use ISSE Hybrid Snow Socks part # TCH70 on the 2019 Forester Touring also apply to my 2020 Forester Touring? Question 1B. Are the ISSE Hybrid Snow Socks part # TCH70 considered an SAE class S device? Question 1C. Do you concur that the ISSE Hybrid Snow Socks part # TCH70 should only be used on the front tires per my 2020 Subaru Forester owner’s manual? Question 1D. Please estimate the number of miles and number of years including storage that the ISSE Hybrid Snow Socks part # TCH70 should last. I anticipate that these will not be used most years and would like them to be available for 20 years. Option 2: Spring Chains. Question 2A. In the above introduction, I said that my 2020 Subaru Forester owner’s manual states that spring chains may be used on my car. I have not heard of spring chains and do not know how they differ from traditional chains or cables. Do you carry spring chains for a 225/55 R18 98H M+S all season tire that would fit a 2020 Subaru Forester? Option 3: Konig Premium Self-Tensioning Snow Tire Chains - Diamond Pattern - D Link - K-Summit - Size K45 – Item # th02230k45 I located another posted expert help response by Conner L on your web page https://www.etrailer.com/question-337746.html. Part of this new response states, “If an actual tire chain is required [by the highway department] then the ISSE Hybrid Snow Socks part # TCH70 likely wont pass as such but if you call the local authorities they will have more definite information on this. However, if you will be dealing with heavy mountain snow then the ISSE Hybrid Snow Socks are not your best option anyhow. Instead, the Konig Premium Self-Tensioning Snow Tire Chains part # TH02230K45 would be better suited. These chains are actually unique in that they only attach to the middle of tire and are ideal for vehicles with limited wheel well clearance like your Forester. The vehicle manufacturer will still say not to use these chains but you also dont have an option if you will be driving through an area where they are required.” I have the following questions for your experts: Question 3A. In light of my 2020 Subaru Forester owners manual stating, Tire chains cannot be used on your vehicle because of the lack of clearance between the tires and vehicle body...Make certain that any traction device you use is an SAE class S device, and use it on the front wheels only.” does your recommendation to use Konig Premium Self-Tensioning Snow Tire Chains part # TH02230K45 on the 2019 Forester Touring also apply to my 2020 Forester Touring? Question 3B. On the Konig Premium Self-Tensioning Snow Tire Chains - Diamond Pattern - D Link - K-Summit - Size K45 Item # th02230k45 web page https://www.etrailer.com/p-TH02230K45.html, it states that they are “Class S Compatible.” Is this the same as they being an SAE class S device? Question 3C. In light of my 2020 Subaru Forester AWD owner’s manual stating “…and use it on the front wheels only,” do you concur that Konig Premium Self-Tensioning Snow Tire Chains - Diamond Pattern - D Link - K-Summit - Size K45 Item # th02230k45 should only be used on the front tires per my owner’s manual? Question 3D. On the Konig Premium Self-Tensioning Snow Tire Chains - Diamond Pattern - D Link - K-Summit - Size K45 Item # th02230k45 web page https://www.etrailer.com/p-TH02230K45.html, it states “Plastic traction plates are durable and flexible to accommodate different temperatures” and “Rivets help to protect plates from wear and allow for increased traction” In the event that one of these plastic plates breaks, are replacement plastic plates available for repair? Question 3E. Please estimate the number of miles and number of years including storage that the ISSE Hybrid Snow Socks part # TCH70 should last. I anticipate that these will not be used most years and would like them to be available for 20 years.

asked by: Eirik F