Tire Chain Dealer is an independent distributor for RUD Chain; therefore, it is important to state at the beginning of this post that I sell the RUD Grip and not the Laclede Alpine.  Nevertheless, I thought it was important to give you a good comparison of the products that I am competing with.  The Alpine Sport appears to be the most similar Leclede brand of tire chains to compare with the Rud Grip 4×4.

In this article we are comparing these two models:  Rud Grip 4×4 - 0142 and Alpine Sport 2317.

Price:
Grip 4×4 - $110.00
Alpine Sport - $99.99

Weight:
Grip 4×4  - 20 lbs.
Alpine Sport - 15 lbs.

Where to buy:
Grip 4×4 - on this website at RUD Grip.
Alpine Sport - Kragen Auto Parts

This first picture is the two styles laid on the ground side by side.

For this second picture, I laid the chains one on top of the other for you to see that there is a significant difference in the size of the links. The Grip links are much larger than the Alpine links are.

When installing the two, the first difference that I notice is that the rubber casing of the alpine is much softer and bendable then that of the Grip. This is not to its advantage. The benefit of the stiffer casing makes it much easier to slide the chains behind the wheel and grab it from the other side. However once you are able to grab it, the connectors are virtually the same. Both tire chain types connect easily behind the tire. Both tire chain types drape easily over the tire. Both tire chain types allow you to do the complete installation without having to turn the wheel.

From the outer side of the tire, both brands have a similar hook at the top which is easy to connect. Both brands also have a nice tensioning chain used for connecting together the right and the left sides. For both brands, the tensioning chain works almost identically; However, there are some technical differences in the design.

Securing the Tensioning Chain
The Grip uses a gold colored steel plate with a hole for the tensioning chain to fit through. The steel plate also has a loose fitting latch to help keep the chain from slipping. The Alpine Sport has a red curved device which is used for the tensioning chain to easily connect and pull back the oposite direction. It is actually more difficult to route the tensioning chain through the Grip model; however, once the chain is routed through the Grip, it pretty much stays in place.

Once the right and the left side of the chain body are connected together, you need to run the tensioning chain through a metal loop and then secure the end to the chain body keeping it tight. Both models have a strechable rubber connection with a hook on the end. The rubber on the Grip is much more elastic and easier to pull then that of the Alpine Sport. I found it much easier to get a good taut connection with the Grip. For the Alpine Sport, I had to pull much harder to get it to strech and allow me to connect it to the chain body. Now the installation for both models is complete.

Adjusting
The Alpine Sport has a tag connected to one of the chains that states as follows:

Warning - Retighten Chains
After initial installation, move vehicle forward or backward at least 15 feet and retighten chains. Failure to do so may reduce chain life by 50%.

After installing the chains on the front wheels of my vehicle, I drove it about 100 yards which included a 360 degree circle in a parking lot and then checked for the need to retighten. The Alpine Sport did indeed need some serious retightening. Originally, I was not able to get the tensioning chain to go through its second guidance loop. Now I was able to pull it through the loop and pull the tensioning chain up several additional links on both tires. However, after doing the same with the Grip 4×4, no adjustments where needed.

Conclusion
Both the Alpine Sport and the Grip 4×4 are decent chains that will help you reach your destination. Both are simple to install. Both have the good diamond pattern design. However, the Grip 4×4 is unquestionably the better quality of the two.

Advantages of the Grip 4×4
1. Thicker chain for better traction
2. Easier to push behind the wheel during installation
3. Easier to connect the tensioning chain to the chain body
4. Readjusting may not be necessary (check anyways)

Advantages of the Alpine Sport
1. Easier to guide the tensioning chain to connect the left and right sides of the chain at the bottom of the tire (however, I do not recommend RUD change this).

After doing this side by side comparison, I am recommending the Grip 4×4 over the Alpine Sport.

This entry was posted on Sunday, November 9th, 2008 at 7:25 am and is filed under Product Comparisons. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.