Chains work well to provide traction through deep snow where it is not packed down, or where you have new snow sitting on a layer of ice or very hard packed snow. Up here in igloo-land we only see them used on country roads or in the mountains during heavy snow fall.

Notice I said TRACTION on DEEP SNOW. Steering and braking are another question. What tires are you running on?? Remember the poor soul who drove his car into a tree last week in his driveway??

If you do not have a full set of full winter tires (none of that "all season" Bull$hit) and are not experienced in winter driving, then chains can lull you into an incredibly dangerous situation - rather like a 4WD SUV driver who does not understand the difference between traction and tire adhesion to snow on braking or steering.

Please consider staying home unless you are going to buy a decent set of full winter tires (Nokian Hakka 1's or 2's, Bizzaks, etc.) or at least a full set of Nokian WR's (the only all season tire with decent snow and ice performance). My beloved 300SD on Michelin Harmony's (so called quality tires) is a dangerous POS on snow and ice because of the tires - the rubber compound is way too hard for cold weather use. I am buying a set of Nokians on Monday.

My experince with tire CHAINS is right in line with yours, but tire traction CABLES work well in an inch or two on compact snow and ice as long as you don't try to climb big hills and your cables are tight. My favourite trick is to let about 1/3rd of the air out, put on my cables and blow the tires back up to 4/5ths pressure. Lower inflation pressures with cables makes them last longer and you get better traction! I also only use my 4X4 Dodge Ram in Snow too!