Towing with Snow Chains

[surfbeetle]

So I drove into work this morning and saw a commuter who came down the mountain with snow all over his car, not too common in San Diego most of the time. It got me to thinking, one of the campgrounds that I frequent is up in the mountains. Today, chains are required (even though probably only one snowflake is on the ground).



So here is my question, if you had to drive with chains on the tow vehicle, would it also be advisable to chain up the trailer? Also as a side note, I think that it's hillarious to watch people when they are attempting to chain up. I saw one guy lay out the chains and drive up on them, too funny! :-laf

 

[JMetzger]

If I am not mistaken in CA you have to have chains on the rear axle of the truck towing & at least on set of chains in one of the trailer axles. Check with Cal Trans because when I lived in CA that was the law.

 

[TowPro]

I saw one guy lay out the chains and drive up on them, too funny! :-laf

That's how I been doing it for years. After you learn how to do it, it sure beats jacking the truck up or taking the tire off!



I still do my ATV that way every time I need chains on it.

Lay them out streached, drive on them, hook up the back links, wiggle them around and hook up the outside link, put on spreaders and your done!

 

[fkovalski]

... I saw one guy lay out the chains and drive up on them...

I drive on them too. But I made a "pseudo" platform to help the proccess: It is an 8" long 2x6 nailed centered on 12"x 12" piece of 3/4" ply. I place two of these down and straddle the chains on them, then drive onto the 2x6. This allows the chains to have a bit of movement when I fasten them. It allows me to initially center and tighten them better.



Also- alot of good info on state regulation about chains here-->tirechains.com

 

[surfbeetle]

I didn't mean to offend anyone regarding the chain install. I was taught to lay them over the top of the tire and then connect them at the bottom (six o'clock position). Maybe it depends on the kind of chains you have. I always thought this way was the correct way. All that I know is that I don't want to be out in the cold any longer than necessary when doing it.

 

[fkovalski]

I didn't mean to offend anyone regarding the chain install. I was taught to lay them over the top of the tire and then connect them at the bottom (six o'clock position). Maybe it depends on the kind of chains you have. I always thought this way was the correct way. All that I know is that I don't want to be out in the cold any longer than necessary when doing it.

No offense taken. I just never thought of doing it the way you just mentioned. More than 1 way to chain a cat.



My question would be: how do you "connect them at the bottom (six o'clock position)" where the tire hits the ground at that position?

 

[JMetzger]

When I have to chain up I do it like fkovalski does.

 

[EKlem]

My question would be: how do you "connect them at the bottom (six o'clock position)" where the tire hits the ground at that position?

I have done it both ways and they both work. As far as hanging the chain over the tire, this is a very easy method when the tire is on something hard and not sunk down in. There is enough room between the cross links that you can easily hook it up at the bottom of the tire if you have it correctly positioned. I usually use this method when chaining up on hard ground. However, when it gets soft, I prefer to lay them out and drive onto them since you can't always get the adjusters hooked up on the bottom if you are using the other method of chaining up.



As far as what to chain up when towing, chain up both the rear end of the truck and the trailer. By chaining up the trailer, you make it a little harder to pull(more rolling resistance) but it is much more controlled because it has the traction necessary to brake and it isn't as likely to slide on a sideslope.

 

[Ragain]

I have wore out many sets over the years running upper north west. (Cabbage Patch, Lookout, Donner, Snoqualmie, etc. ) Have found it to be faster/easier for me to drape the "iron" over the tires leaving excess chain in front and driving up over it about 2' to fasten the chains on trailing side of tread.

The reason I actually need to throw iron is for traction while climbing. Going down is the easy part. I find that if I keep my speed around 10~15 mph going down I can feel safe and less tense. Plus, when I gross in excess of 80,000 lbs, an occassional light tap on brakes (5~10psi) is all I need to keep things under control.

Check laws in your locale. A lot of states do require drag chains on trailers if a chain law is in effect.

 

[cojhl2]

That's how I been doing it for years. After you learn how to do it, it sure beats jacking the truck up or taking the tire off!



I still do my ATV that way every time I need chains on it.

Lay them out streached, drive on them, hook up the back links, wiggle them around and hook up the outside link, put on spreaders and your done!

Ohmygosh, try to lift the ends of a 100lb set of truck chains to hook up if you are driving over them. .



I always throw over the top,, carry a bungy and if necessary hook the inside and pull ahead a little.



However, if you have the chains properly fitted you throw over the top and hook the inside without dropping a link.

 

[GCULP]

By chaining up the trailer, you make it a little harder to pull(more rolling resistance) but it is much more controlled because it has the traction necessary to brake and it isn't as likely to slide on a sideslope.

yup, that is my understanding as well, keeps the trailer behind you instead of beside you