2025 GMC Yukon XL Ultimate - Tire Chains ?

[Socal_Mike]

New to this board. Lots of good information on this site!

Just picked up the family's 2025 GMC Yukon XL Denali Ultimate after our 2015 version ran into electrical issues (on-going)...

My question: The Ultimate comes with 285/40/24 tires which are rated as being Mud + Snow. Going to Mammoth and while I haven't actually applied chains in past decade, chains are sometimes mandatory to carry by the CHP. There are some "wire chains" on the market that fit the current tire, however from what I have seen people generally do not recommend using chains due to the potential damage that they could cause (physical and cosmetic).

Are there any recommendations / suggestions for the new rig? Just get any set and carry them or...

Thanks
Mike

 

[Jay P Wy]

We have a 23 Tahoe with 275/60-20s on it. These tires have the same circumference as your 24s (but not as wide). Per the owners manual you can't use tire chains. You may be able to alternatives to chains like cables and only on the rear. Your best bet would likely be to get a 2nd set of rims and put some true winter tires on. Living in Wyoming and previously in Colorado most of the time winter tires on a 4 wheel drive are enough to not get a ticket/stuck.

 

[Tonyv__]

New to this board. Lots of good information on this site!

Just picked up the family's 2025 GMC Yukon XL Denali Ultimate after our 2015 version ran into electrical issues (on-going)...

My question: The Ultimate comes with 285/40/24 tires which are rated as being Mud + Snow. Going to Mammoth and while I haven't actually applied chains in past decade, chains are sometimes mandatory to carry by the CHP. There are some "wire chains" on the market that fit the current tire, however from what I have seen people generally do not recommend using chains due to the potential damage that they could cause (physical and cosmetic).

Are there any recommendations / suggestions for the new rig? Just get any set and carry them or...

Thanks
Mike

I’ve only used chains one season. On a c1500 work truck. They worked amazingly. However they did break a link more than once and was just pounding on the inner fender wells. With that being said, I probably would not run them on my Yukon that I care about.

 

[Stbentoak]

If you have OEM Alenza's they are absolutely the worst tire in any weather that is serious. Get dedicated winter tires as a minimum.
I am thinking about shying away from 24's as there is no good replacement tires out there in this size, if I order a 25. 22's have served me well.

 

[BeavOR]

Has anyone tried the snow socks? Those cloth type material ones that strap onto the tires.

 

[adventurenali92]

Welcome from another socal member and one who drives in snow all winter long. I live up in big bear lake but travel often to mammoth lakes for on the job training as I’m a professionally certified snowboard instructor.

You didn’t specify if your 2025 ultimate is 2WD or 4WD. That will of course make a big difference. If you have 2WD you will be required to install chains or cables on the drive axle if any chain controls are in place on your trips to mammoth on highway 395 or the town roads around mammoth. The owners manual states that chains can’t be used but I have seen many of these rigs in snow with tire chains on and doing fine. While chains can potentially cause damage if they come loose due to improper installation or malfunction, you can use them. Just make sure if you go this route that you know how to install them properly and make sure they are correct when in use. Cable style traction setups are more common, a little less expensive to buy, and are a bit easier to install when necessary. I would recommend these if you’re concerned with and not sure about running true chains. It is currently California state law for all counties that experience regular snow conditions, that even 4WD vehicles must carry traction control devices, such as chains or cables, from November 1st-April 1st, when traveling in such areas that can experience heavy snow conditions. So even if your 2025 Denali ultimate is equipped with 4WD, you likely will want to buy them in case they ask to see them to verify you have them with even if they’re not requiring you to use them. Which according to the tire chain law they can ask you to prove you have them. It’s less likely to get asked to see them in areas such as my hometown of big bear lake, or wrightwood, but much more likely to be ask to prove you have them when traveling to mammoth lakes as they are quite a bit more strict since they often see much heavier snow fall events more commonly throughout the winter.

 

[Fless]

Welcome from another socal member and one who drives in snow all winter long. I live up in big bear lake but travel often to mammoth lakes for on the job training as I’m a professionally certified snowboard instructor.

You didn’t specify if your 2025 ultimate is 2WD or 4WD. That will of course make a big difference. If you have 2WD you will be required to install chains or cables on the drive axle if any chain controls are in place on your trips to mammoth on highway 395 or the town roads around mammoth. The owners manual states that chains can’t be used but I have seen many of these rigs in snow with tire chains on and doing fine. While chains can potentially cause damage if they come loose due to improper installation or malfunction, you can use them. Just make sure if you go this route that you know how to install them properly and make sure they are correct when in use. Cable style traction setups are more common, a little less expensive to buy, and are a bit easier to install when necessary. I would recommend these if you’re concerned with and not sure about running true chains. It is currently California state law for all counties that experience regular snow conditions, that even 4WD vehicles must carry traction control devices, such as chains or cables, from November 1st-April 1st, when traveling in such areas that can experience heavy snow conditions. So even if your 2025 Denali ultimate is equipped with 4WD, you likely will want to buy them in case they ask to see them to verify you have them with even if they’re not requiring you to use them. Which according to the tire chain law they can ask you to prove you have them. It’s less likely to get asked to see them in areas such as my hometown of big bear lake, or wrightwood, but much more likely to be ask to prove you have them when traveling to mammoth lakes as they are quite a bit more strict since they often see much heavier snow fall events more commonly throughout the winter.

So the law is that you have to CARRY them; do they ever REQUIRE them to be installed?

 

[adventurenali92]

So the law is that you have to CARRY them; do they ever REQUIRE them to be installed?

Yes it is state law to have to CARRY them IN the vehicle when traveling on the mountain highways that lead in and out of those areas. And TECHNICALLY…. They could issue a ticket if they ask to see them and you don’t have them. I’ve never experienced that though. I try to avoid going up or down the mountain when R2 chain restrictions are in place, which would be where they require chains to be installed on 2WD, and tell 4WD to engage the transfer case. They have chain control setup in snowstorms in a big turn out near the bottom portion of the highway. Or R3 chain restrictions can also be in place and when that happens that means even 4x4s are required to chain up. That scenario is pretty rare, though February of 2022 when we had 10 days of snowstorms hat left us under 10 feet of snow in that short timeframe, even the roads here in town were under R3 restrictions. Super rare. I technically would have been required to chain up my Denali. Except that the cables I have were from my bought sized for the tires on my first truck, my little 99 4x4 Dakota, and then they fit the tires on the Durango I had. But they wouldn’t work for the factory whee and tire combo if I’d still be running around on those and the certainly don’t fit my 20s….. I never bothered to buy a new set because cables for my tire setup are crazy expensive and I just didn’t want to spend the money on something I’ll probably not even have to use. During the R3 restrictions that storm, I didn’t have any issues driving in the snow. the local sheriffs deputies were so busy pulling people out of snowbanks and ditches that no one bothered me driving around not chained up.

 

[NELLY1947]

New to this board. Lots of good information on this site!

Just picked up the family's 2025 GMC Yukon XL Denali Ultimate after our 2015 version ran into electrical issues (on-going)...

My question: The Ultimate comes with 285/40/24 tires which are rated as being Mud + Snow. Going to Mammoth and while I haven't actually applied chains in past decade, chains are sometimes mandatory to carry by the CHP. There are some "wire chains" on the market that fit the current tire, however from what I have seen people generally do not recommend using chains due to the potential damage that they could cause (physical and cosmetic).

Are there any recommendations / suggestions for the new rig? Just get any set and carry them or...

Thanks
Mike

Buy a good set of 4 winter tires. Michelin with stud holes. (If you really need the studs)
I live in Canada and never shy away of going out in winter. Just the other day 1 ' of snow from lake effect. 4 wheel low you can do 30 to 40 mph and in that type of weather you should not be doing that fast. The only thing you might want to do is add say 3-400 pounds in the back. Also you will need chains on all 4. And I may stand corrected but you can bust a diff or transfer case with chains in a Yukon. I've also seen 1/4 panels when a chains breaks. Not pretty.

 

[Boatguy]

My last two SUVs’ manuals said “no tire chains”. I could easily get two fingers between the inside rear tire and any obstacle, so I bought “class s” (low profile) chains and used them often over the years. My current SUV is a 2017 Yukon Denali 4WD with 20” wheels. We go to the snow often (including Mammoth). I think I chained up three times last year. Yes, this SUV is 4WD, but it is only marginally better than 2WD if there’s ice and it’s useless on steep cabin roads without chains.

My favorite chains are Titan class s from etrailer.com. They have the same clearance as cables and WAY more traction. Will they fit on your fat tires with rubber band sidewalls? No idea. Good luck.