Jim Carter wrote

>My impression is that chains may give better traction
>but tear up the wheel well if they break.

The best traction in snow is chains with ice bars over tall snow tires.
Regular chains are almost as good, and cables are somewhat less.

Mounting any of them over regular highway tires will reduce traction.

That said, I would recommend cables, because they are easier to put on.  The
harder something is to use, the less likely you are to use it.  Practice
putting them on in your driveway.  It's embarrassing to find that you have
the wrong size or don't know how to fit them when you are in a snowbank
somewhere.

You can also have fun if you replace your tires with a larger size  and
don't check the fit. (Fortunately the gal in the Jeep with Alaska plates had
a tow chain)

Happy Sledding!

Mike Finkbiner
Moscow, Idaho
'87 Westy (with four snow tires, a shovel, and - under the back seat - cable
chains, a 2000# come-along,  a tow cable and a coffee can full of gravel)
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