Tire Chains on 2018 Yukon Denali with 22" wheels?

[Mark Hansen]

We have upgraded to a 2018 Yukon Denali with 22" wheels (the tire size is P285/45R22). One of the main reasons we want a 4WD SUV is for traveling from the Sacramento CA area to the Salt Lake City area around the end of December to visit relatives.

This trip requires that we carry (and if weather dictates, use) tire chains while crossing the Sierra.

In looking for suitable chains for our new Yukon, I looked in the owner's manual and it specifically states that with our tires, we are not to use tire chains:

If the vehicle has 265/65R18, P265/65R18, P275/55R20, or P285/45R22 size tires, do not use tire chains. There is not enough clearance. Tire chains used on a vehicle without the proper amount of clearance can cause damage to the brakes, suspension, or other vehicle parts. The area damaged by the tire chains could cause loss of control and a crash.

It then goes on to say:

Use another type of traction device only if its manufacturer recommends it for the vehicle's tire size combination and road conditions. Follow that manufacturer's instructions.

But while researching tire chains, I find some that claim to fit our tire/wheel size, but they say we must follow the information in the vehicles owners manual.

So, is there a traction device we can use which will be acceptable to the State of California so we can cross the Sierra while being acceptable to GMC?

I sure would appreciate any help/advice.

 

[Fless]

You'll want to check with the state that requires them, but typically on radial tires you'll want to use cables instead of chains. The traction isn't quite as good as chains, but they are less likely to damage your tires and don't require as much wheel well clearance as chains.

 

[Mark Hansen]

So do you think the owner's manual was really just saying "don't use chains" while cables are okay? The traction devices I've been looking at (which claim to fit my tire/wheel) appear to be cables.

 

[Mark Hansen]

For example, when I look at Chain Requirements for the State of California, it refers to "Chains Required" but doesn't say anything about cables. I've heard them referred to as Cable Chains - is it possible when the California says "Chains" they mean chains or cables?

 

[Fless]

Yes, I do. GM's concern is clearance so as not to cause "...damage to the brakes, suspension, or other vehicle parts...", so you may want to see if you have enough clearance for cables, especially while turning. Try to find a place that will install one to check, or make sure they're returnable if you didn't use them on the road.

EDIT: I believe the CA requirement is like this: "Requirement Three (R3): Chains or traction devices are required on all vehicles, no exceptions." (emphasis added) Double-check to be certain.

 

[Mark Hansen]

How can I tell if there is adequate clearance without taking the chains on the road? Won't the action of compressing the suspension change the clearance, especially while turning?

Is there someone that knows whether or not I can safely use a particular make/model of cables on my vehicle/wheel/tire?

 

[olyelr]

I am about positive there is no way that a set of chains would fit on a stock denali with 22’s. There is literally like a 1/4-1/2” of clearance before rubbing in stock form.

Cables will have a much better chance of fitting, but will still be tight (if they do fit at all).

Good luck, and report back with your findings.

 

[cheyenne383]

Chains on the 22s would destroy the wheels and likely catch the fenders and other parts underneath due to the width... If you're dead set on using them go to 18s, I think even 20s would be an issue due to the smaller sidewalls.

You can also get Blizzaks in 285/45/22 which would address the snow if you're nervous. I just ride on BFG All Terrains (not available in 22" sizes) up here in Alaska and haven't had an issue. The traction control with AWD will surprise you how well it does.

 

[olyelr]

Chains on the 22s would destroy the wheels and likely catch the fenders and other parts underneath due to the width... If you're dead set on using them go to 18s, I think even 20s would be an issue due to the smaller sidewalls.

You can also get Blizzaks in 285/45/22 which would address the snow if you're nervous. I just ride on BFG All Terrains (not available in 22" sizes) up here in Alaska and haven't had an issue. The traction control with AWD will surprise you how well it does.

Yes. I am a firm believer in snow tires. Used them for too many winters with phenomenal results. But, I believe there are still areas that actually require chains/cables at certain times. They are not allowed where I am at so I have no experience with them.

 

[Mark Hansen]

Sorry if I gave the wrong impression. I am definitely not "set on chains". However, the area through which I need to travel in the winder requires "something". They say "chains", but I think they actually mean "Tire Traction Devices", which I assume includes chains, cables, etc.

What I'm trying to determine is whether or not it's safe to use cables (or perhaps some other "tire traction device" on my 2018 Yukon Denali with P285/45R22 wheels/tires.

 

[Dlayne]

You might also consider the SpyderSpikes. I haven’t used them personally as I went with a set of 20” Winter tires as I saw no way for clearance with the 22’s. If in CA they have three levels of chain requirements and an AWD/4WD with snow / traction tires suffices for all but the 3rd. There same is true / similar for Oregon. Just depends on how much you drive in the snow.

 

[Mark Hansen]

I think that even if you have a 4WD with snow tires, you're still required to carry the "chains" with you (this is what I got from the CA DOT site, I think). It's not really how much I want to drive in the snow. It that I want to be able to travel to visit relatives - which requires that I cross the Sierra. I don't much have control over the weather at the time of the crossing, as the visit is generally scheduled in advance.

 

[ncpepperman]

You might need to drop to a smaller tire / wheel combo for Winter and use chains. The HP PPV's in NC use chains in the winter.

 

[drakon543]

the chains will not safely fit your truck with that tire combination. you can probably find chain kits that fit your wheel and tires but not your truck. not to mention how much damage chains will do to your stock rims. the main reason is your limited wheel well clearance. if the chains catch its going to severely damage the metal or lock the wheel up at speed. i would follow peppermans advice.

 

[Mark Hansen]

Thanks for all the advice. I think I'm still missing something. Doesn't the speedometer/odometer/gearing, etc. all depend on the outer circumference of the tires? In my case, the Yukon has 22" wheels and low profile tires - doesn't that mean the outer circumference is the same as a smaller wheel with normal profile tires?

If that's the case, how does a smaller wheel provide any additional clearance in the wheel well? Won't the circumference of the tires be the same?

If the smaller wheels/tires really are smaller, wouldn't changing to them also require a change to how the vehicle calculates speed/mileage, etc.?

 

[ncpepperman]

You are absolutely correct. Best scenario is to have your relatives move to Florida and avoid chains altogether.....

You will need to re calibrate the speedometer either yourself or have the dealer do it. Smaller diameters will register a higher speed and you can figure the difference for the winter months and not bother with calibration.

They must be nice relatives to go through all this trouble.........

 

[Shaw520]

At times there are some roads/passes in Co and CA that require chains to be fitted to the vehicle or they will not allow passage....the same may hold true for certain areas of Oregon and Wash state but im not familiar with those areas.

 

[Fless]

If that's the case, how does a smaller wheel provide any additional clearance in the wheel well? Won't the circumference of the tires be the same?

Circumference or overall diameter might not be the limiting factor. You're running what is listed as the widest tire of the group. If you were to install some wheels that weren't as wide as the ones you're running now, and tires with a higher profile to match the OD of your current tire, you may gain side clearance for cables, at the sacrifice of a wider footprint. That's not all bad, since a narrower footprint puts the truck's weight on less tread, hence more traction pressure.

As also mentioned, smaller wheels and tires with a smaller diameter would make your speedometer a bit inaccurate, but that's easy enough to "ballpark" if you were to run those seasonally (I use GPS). Personally I wouldn't go through officially recalibrating the speedo for seasonal changes.

 

[Mark Hansen]

They must be nice relatives to go through all this trouble.........

It's not the relatives causing the trouble, it's the GMC vehicle. I just can't imagine a 4x4 SUV that can't go in the snow I didn't want the 22" wheels and let the dealer talk me into them. What a mistake. I guess I'll know for next time.

I intend to use cable chains on the rear wheels only. In looking at the rear wheels, there appears to be plenty of clearance for them.

The owner's manual says "don't use chains ... and if you want to use other traction devices, use them only if the manufacturer says they will fit the wheel/tire".

I assume by "other traction devices" they mean cable chains. As far as the manufacturer recommending them for my wheel/tire size, they list my wheel/tire size specifically and show the various products that will work.

Based on all that, it sounds like I'm okay to use cable chains.

Thanks for all the help

 

[Shaw520]

Rear should have plenty of clearance