Snow chain options?

[BigGunZ]

I'm taking a trip up north this winter, will likely encounter snow and mountains, and want to see whats out there. It's been a while in the snow for me but would assume that snow travel doesn't get much better than a big dually 4x4.

I'm looking for chain options and have seen cable chains around. I'm leaning towards the cable style due to ride quality. Keep in mind that I'm not going to be breaching the arctic circle ... Just something to help keep the pointy end forward and out of the ditches.

Am I correct in assuming that chains aren't needed on all 6 tires? Just run em' on the outer rears (and fronts if necessary) I have stock rubber.

 

[MacHaggis]

I'll be watchin' this one.



What are you calling "up north?"



My experience up here in the snow belt/lake effect (running SRW from Cleveland and across I86/NY 17 is that a CTD will help with keeping useful weight on the steering axle in both snow and on black ice, but it's still a pickup. Black ice, I will (voluntarily) get off the road so as not to join those who did so involuntarily (4WD is deadlier that 2WD on that stuff). At the same time, with the lake effect being what it is, I've gotten into spots of snow where the road hasn't been cleaned up or treated yet and had the back end of the Ram get squirrelly enough (even in 4WD) that I choose to get off the road.



My view is that 1)your winter driving skills are probably rusty at best, and 2)this is a trip--you won't be here all winter. It wouldn't be worth the expense of regular chains. My suggestion would be cable chains for the outsides, but don't plan on going far on them. If you see the need arising, put them on and use them to get off the road. They're not for long-term use, but they'll get you out of a jam or keep you from getting into one in the first place.

 

[testraub]

Check here good info http://www.tirechain.com/Default.htm

 

[fkovalski]

Dittos on what testraub said. I bought 2 pair from them. GREAT customer service. I bought THIS TYPE w/ CAM ADJUSTERS.



I got heavier duty than what you are looking for... This is the first set I have had with the cam adjuster and would highly recommend this option if you go for this type. I dry fitted them just this weekend and they really snug 'em up. Almost snug enough to not use tensioners, but will definetly use them (as recommended. )

 

[BigGunZ]

[/QUOTE]

I agree with MacHaggis, I sell these things but more often than not they're not needed. Defensive driving skills combined with more than 50% tread left on good radials will get you most everywhere you want to go on pavement. I carry tire chains in the winter simply because I'm the guy who goes to fix the snowplow rigs that break down, sometimes leaving me in less than optimal conditions. I had to pull an employee out of a ditch/snow drift last winter, (he has a go anywhere Jeep) and needed the chains as I was sitting on hardpack. Fronts & outer rears are all that's required if you decide to opt for them. PM me if you want pricing.

Yea, you got me thinking... it's been a while for me but I have a lot of experience in the snow. I pulled a 7k fishing boat through the mountains in the snow in my F250 and didn't use the chains I had for it.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

It's been a while in the snow for me but would assume that snow travel doesn't get much better than a big dually 4x4.

I have to disagree. Most dually owners I know run singles in the rear in the winter, duals get too squirly, better traction with singles.

 

[MacHaggis]

Yea, you got me thinking... it's been a while for me but I have a lot of experience in the snow. I pulled a 7k fishing boat through the mountains in the snow in my F250 and didn't use the chains I had for it. [/QUOTE]



I hear ya buddy, but . . .



I lived up in Maine for a lot of years, and that first snow every year was always a disaster, and most of the people that were snarled up were long-time Mainiacs. Trust me, the skills aren't lost, but they can take some time to come back, even from year to year.



A pickup of any stripe isn't easy to manage in snow. My SRW is slippery enough. Make it a dually, like TRAMPLINEMAN says, and it gets even more challenging. The time my steering (Thank YOU, Cummins) kept me out of trouble on black ice, the tail end was JUST starting to come around and I was able to steer myself back in front of it. Had to do that a couple of times and I wound up perilously close to the folks who were standing in the road looking at the wreckage of the vehicles that didn't make it.



FWIW, if it was me, I'd keep a set of cable chains on board for surprises and not push it.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

I agree. You never know when you will need them. Some places won't let you pass without them.

 

[TboneMan]

Living in the snowbelt of NYS, I've never needed chains and I've gone through some serious snow.



Get a second set of rims and mount some BFG TA/KO's and they will pull you down any public highway. Remember, most places that regularly get snow, know how to remove it!

 

[cyborg]

common sense and chains is better than salt any day of the week!!

 

[dtygart]

I went to Wyoming in Feb once, got used to driving v. fast on the I-state through NV, UT, ID, when I got to Montana it was snowing, and everyone slowed down to 75 mph!!

david

 

[Horsepuller]

I just ordered 3 sets of chains at: http://www.tirechainsupply.com/ They have a very large selection of different types and in all different sizes. Very easy to order. Customer service was good too.



I went with the Highway Service chains. I bought 2 pairs for my duals and one set for my trailer. I have had cables before. They were very easy to install but they didn't last very long. So I have my doubts about using cables with heavy trucks, especially if you are hauling anything.

 

[Ragain]

Will you be pulling a trailer up north? There are many varied laws from state to state on chain requirements. I have found that 3 railed chain sets work better on duals if snow is more than 4" on traveled surface. When I do chain up..... I always install drag chains on both sides of one axle equipped with brakes on the trailer. I never bothered with chains on the steer axle though, pulling through the mountains in snow I keep my speed under 20 mph, (25 max).

 

[BigGunZ]

Well, I decided to get a set of chains. Solely because I don't wan't to have to stop if I hit an area where they're mandatory. I'm not going to be hauling anything except maybe a few sand bags for extra weight. I'm going up into PA for a few days. I don't really forsee any problems that I couldn't overcome... well of course except for "the other guy". Either way, I'm making this trip because I want to drive in the snow. Call me crazy but I've always liked it as I was raised in PA. I'm sure before I go I'll get some track time in my car so I'll have plenty of practice sliding around.

 

[Horsepuller]

What are drag chains? I've never heard that term before.

 

[pwknapp]

Drag chains are what you beat the drag queens with.

 

[fkovalski]

I don't know if drag chains are considered automatic chains, but the TireChains. Com site has a video of how automatic chains work. I have seen them on trucks but never understood the concept till now.



See VIDEO AT THIS LINK and pick your server to see. Kinda' neat!

 

[10-9jc]

So Cal Snow

Yes, Ah-nold - we got dat in Kali-fornia.

Southern California mountains (7-8K ft), about 2 hrs away -

narrow roads, etc. [Well maintained, but . . ]



Had a place in the So Cal Mountains (Big Bear).

Great sport to watch all the true "flatlanders"

come up with their high-dollar 4 x 4's and figure they are ready

for anything! [Black Ice = Surprise! - chains or not]

Slip-N-Slide bumper cars!



Lots of Eastern cities with lots of snow - but chains are never needed.

Good road maint, flat country, etc. My neighbor is recently

from Chicago and was heading to the local mtns last winter.

Told him to be sure to bring chains.

He thought I was pullin' HIS chain!

Said he NEVER used chains in 20+ years in Chi town.



Anyway, the major roads to and thru Sierra Nevada get better

treatment than our local ones. Straighter, wider, better roads.

However, in either area, with heavy snow,

you may/will be stoped by the CHP for:

1. Chains required - for all - or just 2 whl drive. Or -

2. Show that chains are IN the vehicle for 4 x4,

put 'em ON for 4 x 2.

3. No chains = no go past Mr. Chippie! - which means:

a. You will pay through the nose at some local store to

purchase the chains you wish you had.

b. You go somewhere else for fun (without snow).



Rusty at driving in snow?

Everyone likes to visit the snow, to play, ski, or?

YOU'VE been there, done that - right?



Well, be very careful around those folks who YOU think may have

NEVER been in snow country before! Lots of 'em out there!

Not an ethnic slam - but many of our local Vietnamese folks

just know they will LOVE the snow . . . . but, -young or old-

they have NEVER seen it before - - and of course NEVER operated

a motor vechicle in the white stuff !

Think - . . . "Defensive Driving"! [for you]

Nuff said. Chains - buy 'em, try 'em, have a good time!

JC

 

[2-ND TIME]

Chains options

One of the first things to think about if you are driving in snow is to use good tires. I love them in snow and mud even 5 " of mud on a dualy. Michelin tires M/S. One doesn't need the A/T's.



The V- Bars are more then you will probably need. In the next few days I will be making tripples out of my singles for the rears. The singles are a real pain to put on and remove.

 

[Mundgyver]

You might want to look into Syphing your tires. I have done it to mine and it works very well in the winter on ice. I have attached a link that describes the procedure. Food for thought.



http://www.affordable-tire.com/customer/pages.php?pageid=10