​

Are you looking for the best snow tire traction devices? 

If you are looking for snow tire traction device type reviews you have come to right place. There are many types of snow tire traction devices on the market today. In order to help you make the best decision about tire traction devices, we are going to talk about the various device types in more detail so you can make an informed decision about which type is right for you. 

What are snow tire traction devices?

Simply put these are devices that help your vehicle get extra traction in snow, ice, mud and sand. They come in many types of devices. Some device types have been around for ages while others are newer. These include:

• Tire Chains
• Tire Zip Ties
• Tire Socks
• Tire Traction Mats 
  

Tire Chains

Tire chains are one the oldest snow tire traction devices. According to Wikipedia.org, "Snow chains, or tire chains, are devices fitted to the tires of vehicles to provide maximum traction when driving through snow and ice. Snow chains attach to the drive wheels of a vehicle or special systems deploy chains which swing under the tires automatically. Although named after steel chain, snow chains may be made of other materials and in a variety of patterns and strengths. Chains are usually sold in pairs and often must be purchased to match a particular tire size (tire diameter and tread width), although some designs can be adjusted to fit various sizes of tire. Driving with chains reduces fuel efficiency, and can reduce the allowable speed of the automobile to approximately 50 km/h (30 mph), but increase traction and braking on snowy or icy surfaces. Some regions require chains to be used under some weather conditions, but other areas prohibit the use of chains, as they can deteriorate road surfaces." Tire chains can be difficult to install especially if you wait till after you get stuck. Also, since they are difficult to install they are not recommended being installed by younger or older drivers. Due to these issues, tire chains are not always the best choice for every driver. 

Pros:

• Can drive long distances while installed 
• Provide good traction in snow and ice
• Can be install without moving the vehicle
• Easily stored in vehicle. 
• Mandatory in some high elevation areas

Cons:

• Heavy and cumbersome to work with 
• Can be very hard to install and fit tires
• Can damage car if not installed properly
• Banned in some areas cause they tear up the road 
  
• Typically have to be fitted to your tire size

The next three items are commonly referred to as tire chain alternatives. 

Tire Zip Ties

Tire zip ties are a relatively new snow tire traction device. The name pretty much says exactly what these are as they give your car tires zip tie tire traction. They are extra large zip ties with a special gripping area that you have to properly position around the tire. If you don't position these tire zip ties properly they are not as effected. They are fairly easy to install but you have to put multiple ones on each tire. Also, since these have a tension zip clasp (like regular zip ties), they are more prone to break from the force of the spinning tire and the pounding of the ground or road. Another issue with these is that it can take a bit to get these installed properly on all tires. If you are in very wet weather, you will probably get very wet before you are able to get back in your car. 

Pros: 

• Lightweight 
  
• Easy to store in your vehicle
• Can be driven while on the vehicle short distances
• Fairly easy to install
• Inexpensive

Cons:

• Must be install properly to work well 
  
• Can break easily with heavy use
• Have to use multiple zip ties per tire
• Takes some time to install properly on multiple tires

Tire Socks

Tire socks are a relatively new snow tire traction device. Tire socks are a product fits around your entire tire that gives the car extra grip and traction. According to TractionNews.com, "Installing the products is straightforward but still takes “muscle and patience” to slip them over the tire, and you have to factor in the cold. Consumer Reports recommends installing the products somewhere dry and quiet, away from traffic, rather than in the snow on the side of the road. Each requires the tire to rotate periodically during installation to position the traction aids properly over the tire’s tread, so it’s much easier if you have help. While all of the tire socks added grip on snow, Consumer Reports suggests snow socks are good for temporary traction when it’s needed occasionally, but they aren’t a replacement for winter tires."

Pros:

• Lightweight 
• Easy to store 
  
• Allows you to drive the car long distances after install (at slow speeds, around 25mph)

Cons: 

• Can be difficult to install (required moving vehicle to fit) 
  
• Needs to be installed before bad weather starts or you get stuck
• Expensive
• Prone to wear and tear
• Less traction on ice
• Typically have to be fitted to you tire size

Tire Traction Mats

Tire traction mats or snow traction mats have been around for a while as a snow tire traction device. Although they come in various sizes and shapes the premise is the same. These are traction mats that you place under your spinning tires when you get stuck in snow, ice, mud or sand. They give you traction to pull out when your vehicle get stuck. The great thing about these is that it's one size fits all. Many consumers prefer these because they can be used only when needed and they don't have to be installed before a bad storm and stuck happens which is convenient. Also, these work on all vehicle types and tire sizes and can be used by any driver very easily. 

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Can easily be used by any driver 
  
• Don't cause damage to your vehicle
• Works with any type vehicle - car, truck, van, RV, 18 wheeler etc.
• Easily stored in any vehicle
• Provides good traction in snow, ice, mud and sand
• Doesn't need to be installed before a stuck happens
• Takes seconds to install/use
• Long lasting
• Inexpensive

Cons:

• Designed to get your vehicle out of a stuck situation
• Not designed for driving distances on snow, ice, mud or sand

Which snow tire traction device is right for you?

Now that you have learned more about snow tire traction devices, We would like to introduce The Portable Tow Truck - The Ultimate Tire Traction Device. The Portable Tow Truck is proven tire traction aid used by the largest commercial fleet companies in the world and 1000s of people as well. For very little money you can have the best tire traction mats for snow, ice, mud and sand in your vehicle at all times. They are lightweight and can be used by any driver with any vehicle type over and over. To learn more about the product please check out what our customers have to say about us on our REVIEWS page and you can watch a VIDEO of the product HERE. If you have any questions at all you can reach out to us from our ABOUT US page as well. Now is the time to get The Portable Tow Truck and protect you and your family from unexpected roadside emergency stucks. 

​

Please comment below and also check out and like our Social Media sites below and remember - Don't Get Stuck Without The Portable Tow Truck!

If you would like to the review the references we mentioned about and learn more please visit these sites...Wikipedia.org, TractionNews.com.