When I was younger, almost everyone had snow chains. At least they did in the ravine and bluff country of Minnesota where I live. Some used hardened cables instead of chain in the typical chain configuration to save weight, but these wore out quickly.

In thinking about this, I have not seen chains deployed on a high speed vehicle for many years. I do occasionally see them on snow blowers or tractors and logging trucks and equipment. On my brothers tractor, it takes three to lift and install the chains, and they are tensioned with bungees.

I remember on cars and trucks the cross links breaking and beating on the inside of the wheel wells. With the plastic wheel wells and the ubiquitous aluminum wheels of today, I would think tire chains could seriously damage the vehicle.

I suspect the continuation of the 11,000 year global warming trend, coupled with improvements in winter road maintenance, front wheel drive, and radial all-season tires has eliminated the need for tire chains for most people around here.