2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission help!! tire chains,4wd and snowplowing?

[**ICEMAN**]

big snow due here and it's possible that i may need to use the ole tire chains for plowing with my '94 2500. i have one set(2 chains) and used them before on the front tires while plowing.

where is the best place to put them? front or back?

i remember from the last time a few years ago that with the chains on the front the steering can get really jerky. i will also be plowing in some tight spots on asphalt where i need to do alot of steering wheel turning. i'm thinking of trying them on the rear.

looking for suggestions or comments from those who have used chains.



thanks

 

[KL]

I used chains when I lived in Wyoming & Idaho. You are correct that chains can make the steering funny. IMHO I would put them on the rear end of the truck. You already will have plenty of weight on the front end from the Cummins & plow to help it dig into the snow. The rear probably will need to some help. Happy plowing. Klaus

 

[apkole]

I worked for the plowing business I now own during the Blizzard of '78 here in Grand Rapids. The owner had a 1 ton cab/chassis with no bed on it, just some weights over the frame rails. Great visibility for backing into driveways while plowing.



I do remember chains being installed on the truck, and I believe they were on the rear.



I would be real hesitant to install chains unless absolutely necessary. I've found that the weight of the Cummins in the front end of the truck provides a tremendous amount of stability and traction. I have not had either one of our CTDs stuck while plowing snow.



Chains put alot of stress to the drivetrain components. I would rather have slow going than break a transfer case or axle due to too much traction.





We just finished up plowing a 12" snowfall with 53 mph wind here in the city. We had drifting, but nothing we couldn't handle with just the all weather tires on the trucks. I use the Michelins and get by just fine.



My 2 cents.



Andy

 

[Piersol]

don't bother

Your truck will plow anything that Maryland can give you if its 4 wheel drive. We get over 100 inches of snow a year here and I can count on one hand the number of times I've seen chains on pickup trucks.

 

[Rams-n-Hogs]

ICEMAN,



I wouldn't worry about chains here. I lived in Alaska for 8 years, and plowed snow with both and F150 and a Chevy Blazer. Never even used chains there.



Jim

 

[Peterbilt379CJ]

Iceman, you guys are about to get clobbered with snow. Ours is coming on monday here in NJ. Dont bother with chains. No need for them.



I have plowed for many years with all kinds of trucks in all kinds of conditions and my DODGE 2500HD so far is the best plow truck I have ever used. Superior traction and pushing abilities. My friends fords and chevys get stuck all the time but not me.



If you are feeling you need some weight put it in the bed. Plow some snow in a pile and load up your bed with snow. Works great. Plus you dont have to worry about it sliding around in the bed of your truck.



HAPPY PLOWING... .

 

[AKDrifter]

Better off with chains on the front, on the back they have a tendency to push you through turns.

 

[WDaniels]

One thing to keep in mind when chaining up is that the chains change the diameter of the tires, especially if you are on ice. If there are chains on one set of 4x4 tires and not the other, you will run in to the same problems if you had 2 different sets of tires on your rig. Besides, chains on a 4x4 is awfully rough on the transfer case and transmission. If you spin and then all of a sudden grab traction you could break drive lines, your xfer case or xmission.

WD

 

[pathaymond]

I am from Upstate New york some years ago I used to plow snow and I never found chains to be good for my rig and never really needed them. I would say this if your Dodge wont do it then Park it and forget it. Any snow deeper than the mighty dodge could handle is to much to try to move. Just my humble opinion as a southerner now.

Patrick

 

[**ICEMAN**]

thanks for the input guys. i was only thinking of the chains in case of ice. like you,,i haven't had a problem going thru the snow since i bought it in 94.

anyway,,i went to get 1000 lbs. of road salt in the bed today and came off the scales with 4200 lbs that stuff is alot heavier than it looks. she's planted firmly to the ground now

 

[David_VT]

Like anything, it 'depends'... .



I keep one front chain on my old 'off road' barely running Chevy Diesel farm plow truck. It will claw it's way along when the Ram has to battle real hard to to cover the same icy ground.



Before I plowed with my tired Chevy, I noticed my hired plow always ran with front chains. He said it was needed so he could back up angled driveways since the rear tires had less weight on them due to the plow. (I notice he has a sander mounted now... )



I don't want to risk throwing a chain into the Ram's body but would mount them if the conditions or situation required it.



I think many are able to reach for the 4WD lever as the extraction device. However some of us often have to run 4WD 24x7 due to our roads. When we get stuck we have to have something else to reach for.



In real bad weather I carry one set of chains in the cab of my Ram. I've never had to use them but doing emergency volunteer work I never know where I will find myself. In the middle of the night in this corner of the world without good Cell service one has to fend for themselves.....

 

[Piersol]

how much snow?

Iceman, How much snow did you end up getting your way?

 

[**ICEMAN**]

Re: how much snow?

Originally posted by Piersol

Iceman, How much snow did you end up getting your way?

a good 2 feet in my area. i have the stuff piled up higher than the truck. amazing what you can do with a CUMMINS powered pickup my ole 12 valve came through for me again i take care of several long lanes (including mine) that used to be logging trails. when i reached the homes the owners said they thought i would never be able to move that much snow with so little room to push it to and then they said they heard the mighty CUMMINS workin their way

couple of ford boys around here wouldn't tackle these lanes,,they do parking lots:--)

 

[TboneMan]

There are areas around me (including my house) that have received over 200" of snow this year. I received 48" last week in a matter of 3 days. An area 15 mile north got nearly 60" in that same time period.



I don't know anyone who used chains ( in the snow belt north of Syracuse,NY).



You get to a point an a truck can only push so much without damage to other drive train components.



Eventually you have to use a bucket (payloader, backhoe or tracktor) to pile the snow higher.



While I feel for you down there (your municipalities are not set up to deal with the volume of snow you received), you know that the snow won't stay long. Up here, we get it and it stays until spring (April).