After owning our Vue for just 4 weeks we were taking it for our first long distance ride. Our trip was from the SF Bay area to Whidbey Island in Washington to visit family for Thanksgiving. Every time we've made this trip in the November/December time frame that pass next to Mount Shasta has been a concern. It's always a guessing game whether or not there will be heavy snowfall on I-5. We only encountered snow one time but managed to be going through the pass about a half hour before they closed it to vehicles without tire chains.
We decided that having tire chains in the Vue for anytime we travel would be ideal to relieve the stress of "do you think we can make it this time?". Additionally we have always restricted our travel away from the Sierra Nevada's during the winter time. But seeing Yosemite covered in snow has been something we both have thought about, and even trips to Lake Tahoe and cold weather camping is something that intrigues us. So I began the search for snow traction devices for our tires.
When we bought the Vue we had to sign some sort of document stating we recognized that using conventional tire chains on the Vue's tires would void certain warranty items. Basically, the area around the wheels of the view is limited on the inside of the tire. The wheel well liner, brake lines, struts, and other components are at risk when using conventional chains. When I enquired at the Saturn dealer the only traction devices the recommended were the
Spikes Spider Sports.
Not ready to plunk down $400.00 on a set of tire chains I went into more research on the web. I found there were other devices that supposedly were designed for wheels with limited space, but enquiries with the manufacturers revealed that nobody was willing to guarantee their devices would work on the Vue. Nobody, that is, except for Spikes Spider. They all offered a money back guarantee, but we were running short on time and I didn't want to end up in the middle of a snow storm just to find out that the traction device was going to cause problems.
I bit the bullet and ordered the Spike Spiders. True to their word on their website, the devices arrived over-night. To save a little bit of money I had ordered them direct to save $40.00 from the Saturn Parts Department price, as well as 8.5% sales tax.
What makes the Spike Spiders unique is the fact that no part of the setup touches the wheel. In other words, there is no concern about the wheels being marred or damaged by slapping chains. Also, the "chains" attach to a hub device that you install on the wheel at the start of winter in the warmth and comfort of your garage and can leave on the wheel until the middle of spring. When you find yourself in snow its a matter of about 60 seconds to install the "chains" on both drive wheels and get back in motion. And finally, no part of the setup involves the inner side of the tire. So no damage can happen to wheel wells, struts, and brake components.