Snow Cables Alternative

When tire chains are needed for a vehicle, weather conditions are usually at their worst with extremely cold temperatures, often accompanied by winds, snowing, and icy roads.The normal procedure for installing snow chains requires that the vehicle be rolled onto the chains. Often you will not need chains to drive over a thin or chopped layer of snow but if directed you should fit them. You should only put chains on if there is snow or ice on the road. Black ice often forms in shady areas or over bridges. This can often happen overnight if the snow has melted or been driven over the previous day. If you live where the climate calls for snowy winters, then there's a chance you'll eventually need tire chains. In addition, a broken link on chains is a common occurrence, and if not immediately repaired, will destroy your treads, wheels, and tire wells. If travelling out of the snow, remember to remove the chains as soon as it is safe to do so. This may require that the person installing the chains lay down on the cold, wet ground, which is covered by snow on the shoulder of a busy roadside.

Goclaws Alternative Traction

Even here in California, the need for chains often surfaces in the mountain areas of places like the Sierra Nevadas and the Mountain Lake regions of Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead in San Bernardino County. At first, installing tire chains seemed like it would be more hassle than we wanted to think about. Sometimes you will be informed by rangers, police or resort staff of this requirement, either in person or by a sign on the side of the road. If in doubt slow down.

In these circumstances often the only thing you can do is use your driving skills to keep control, slow down and avoid hitting anything or anyone else.snow cables alternative

Flex-Trax GoClaws - Campbell Snow Cables Alternative

Version 2 GoClaws Installation Instructions

drive configuration

Clearance Check

Before you install GoClaws, you must ensure that there is sufficient clearance between the backside of the tire and the vehicle's suspension components on the drive wheels.

  • Determine the vehicle’s drive wheels location (front, rear, or 4WD). If you do not know, consult your owner’s manual or dealer. GoClaws are usually installed on the rear of a 4WD vehicle, but they may be installed on all four wheels for maximum traction.
     
  • Check ClearanceRun the palm of your hand around the inside of your tire to check clearance. If the backside of your hand contacts any of the suspension components (springs, brake lines, frame, etc.), you probably cannot use GoClaws on your particular vehicle. Please consult your dealer or call Flex-Trax at 800-420-1062 for more information.

Pre-Fit Adjustment

GoClaws’ unique design allows one product to fit a wide range of tire sizes. It does require that the product be test fit and adjusted to the exact dimensions of your tire. It is essential that the links be custom-fit according to the following procedure, especially on smaller tires. If not, it is possible that excessively long straps may interfere with the undercarriage during use and cause damage to GoClaws or the vehicle.

Straps too long Correct Strap Length
NO! - excess ladder strap is too long OK! - excess ladder strap is proper length
  1. Ladder strapNotice that on the backside of each ladder strap, there are numerals and score marks molded into the backside. These will be your guide to customizing the length of the straps.
     
  2. Look at the tire chart printed on the box for your tire size or click here to view online . The numbers in the far right columns next to your tire size are the approximate length to which you should adjust your ladder straps to fit your particular tire.

    The numbers in the table represent our best guess at the proper length to cut the straps. Due to variations in tire profile, inflation, and wear, we recommend that you test-fit the GoClaws before cutting the ladder straps. Test fit according to the installation instructions (next page), then cut off excess length as necessary.
     
  3. Once you have determined the proper length to cut your straps by test fitting them to your vehicle, cut each strap along the proper score mark with a utility knife, then bend the strap sharply at this location until it breaks. If you accidentally cut the ladder straps too short, replacement straps are available.
    score strap with utility knife break ladder strap
  4. GoClaws bagTest fit the GoClaws one more time to ensure that all straps engage properly and stick out past the buckle at least one inch (2.5cm), but not past the next “track”.
     
  5. After GoClaws are adjusted properly for your vehicle, fold the links and fit all tracks into the plastic carrying case. Put the GoClaws in your trunk and you’ll have assurance that you can handle anything Mother Nature can dish out -- snow or mud!

Installation Process

Now that you’ve checked the clearance on the backside of the tire and you’ve adjusted the length of the ladder straps to fit your tire size, you’re ready to install GoClaws. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Lay three of the tracks on the ground and unfold links as shown with the buckles facing up. Note that the buckles on each strap are different -- one has a "crank" and the other doesn't. Line up the ones with the cranks facing you as shown below.
    GoClaws Trak

    Insert the ladder straps into the buckles until they just engage. Don’t push them all the way in... Leave them loose for now.
    GoClaws Installation Layout
     
  2. Handling GoClawsPick up the rightmost track with your right hand and the middle track with your left hand, leaving the leftmost track dangling.
     
  3. Put the right track on top of the tire as shown. Notice how the leftmost track is sitting on the ground.
    Mounting GoClaws
     
  4. GoClawsUsing your foot or hand, flip the leftmost track behind the tire as shown so you can grab it from the other side of the tire.
  5. Flex-Trax laying on the groundHere the track is laying on the ground behind the tire. Pull it around so that the ladder strap is on the ground in front of the tire.
  6. Reach behind tire to install GoClaws snow chainReach behind the tire and insert the ladder strap into the buckle on the back of the tire at the two o’clock position. Don’t insert all the way, just till it engages.
  7. Insert ladder strapAt the front bottom of the tire, insert the ladder strap into the buckle at the six o’clock position. Don’t insert all the way, just till it engages.
  8. Engage strapFinally, engage the strap at the two o’clock position. Now all straps should be engaged in their buckles but loose on the tire.
  9. Snow chain alternative buckleReach around the back of the tire and push the ladder straps into the buckles. Do this equally on all three backside straps. The goal is to have all three straps about the same length and the track centered on the tire.
  10. SnoClaws installationPull the tracks outward to take out slack on the back. See if the tracks are centered on the tire. If the center of the tracks are too far toward the outside, tighten the inner links a few more notches then check again.
  11. Tighten linksOnce you have the tracks centered over the tire, tighten the outer links by cranking the buckles one notch at a time. Do this process equally for all three buckles so they are all about the same length when you’re done. Pull on the tracks occasionally to remove slack. Continue until all tracks are tight against the tire.
  12. O-RingsRoll the o-rings over the excess length of the ladder straps on both the inside and outside of the tire to keep them from contacting the undercarriage or wheelwells during operation.
  13. Continue this process to install the other three tracks on the other tire. Before moving the vehicle, feel behind the tire to confirm that there is adequate clearance between the tracks and the suspension components and fenderwell.
     
  14. When you first move the vehicle, do so slowly and listen carefully for any contact between GoClaws and the vehicle’s undercarriage. If you hear contact, immediately stop and verify the location of the contact to see if it can be addressed. If GoClaws contacts your vehicle’s undercarriage even when fully tightened, please return GoClaws to your dealer for a full refund.

 
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