I recall my salesman said not to use snow chains on these vehicles. Can someone recommend what to use to go up to the mountains this winter in California? Snow cables? If so, what are the difference and any recommendations?

 

Perhaps your salesman can recommend an alternative but to be honest, I wouldn't fancy driving a T&C or GV in deep snow, with or without chains.

 

My guess he's worried that you damage a tire and them make a claim back to them.

However the other alternatives are like you say the cable systems which from what I've heard are easier to fit but not as good as chains and the other is Auto Socks. Thats those canvas things which go over the tire.

The socks work good in snow up to around 4 to 6 inches but there's no substitute for the chains and honestly a quick Google search revealed lots of companies selling them. So as I said earlier, my guess is he's protecting his own *** rather than giving good advice.