Snow chains on trailer axles

[Radshooter]

I have a triple axle fiver and was wondering if I had to chain up the trailer this winter, which axle should I chain? Would just the lead axle be enough, or 1 and 3? Do I need to chain all 3 axles? It is a pretty heavy beast. What about cables for the trailer? I don't EVER intend to tow in snow if I can help it, but the boyscout in me wants to have something along in case I get caught before I can land somewhere.

Also looking for recommendations about chains for the dually.



Thanks

Steve

 

[Mundgyver]

Which axles have the brakes on them. I think that would be where you want to put your chains with towing in the snow and ice. Almost forgot, get the haeviest set you can. I had a set break on my wifes truck Dakota, and it cost me $2400 to get the damaged repaired to the fender. They wound up replacing the whold side of the bed. You want something that is not going to break. The ones I got for my rig were for tires that are in the 33 inch range. I used my bolt cutters to size them down to my needs but they are twice as thick as the ones that are sold to fit my tires.

 

[Radshooter]

Thanks Mundgyver... ... All 3 axles have brakes on them. There is not much clearance between the tires either. Do I need 3 sets of chains for the trailer?

Thanks. .

Steve

 

[NIsaacs]

I wouldn't worry about the trailer axles, but if you are concerned about getting caught in a bad storm and wanted the extra safety & piece of mind, I would chain the back axle. In multiple axle setups, the rear most axle is more prone to slide. The front axles pack the snow and make in slicker for the back axle.



I would recommend a good set of triples (or three railers) for the duallys and even a set for the front of your truck for extreme weather conditions. If you can control your truck, the trailer will follow with no problem. Napa sells the triples, Peerless brand I think, they are a good heavy duty chain.







"NICK"

 

[Radshooter]

Thanks Nick. That is the kind of info I was looking for. Any other experiences would also be appreciated.

I keep reading about not putting chains on the front tires if towing. What is the reason for this thinking?

Thanks again

Steve

 

[NIsaacs]

Not using chains on the front axle is mostly the Truck Manufacturers idea, they are afraid of breakage. I have a "75" Ford 250 4x4 with the Dana 44HD (smaller than the Dodge) that I have used in the Log Woods for years with no problems chained up on all fours. I figure that with snow and chains I have less traction, than dry ground without chains. The only time I have ever broken any thing in the front, is when I am pulling a sled in the truck pulls. There is a lot of weight and traction on the front axle so when you need chains it makes a big difference. Be sure if you use chains that you also use the rubber chain tighteners. They will help keep the slack out of them. Also make sure you have them on as tight as you can get them, after install, dirve a short distance, then retighten. You also want to carry some wire to tie the extra side links so they don't hit anything on the truck. If you break a link be sure and tie it down also are you can do some damage on the truck, like fenders and brake lines. Hope this helps some.





"NICK"

 

[Grey Wolf]

Here is a link for chain laws that may help you.



http://tirechain.com/Default.htm



Here's Ca requirements.



http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/ChainsWeb.pdf

 

[DanWilson]

Never even heard of chaining up the trailer axles. Don't think it's necessary. Watch the big rigs- drive axles only. For 4x4 that means the front too.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Chains on an RV trailer? A few weeks back while fueling one of my former employers team trucks came in. These trucks have chains hanging from the frame where as the solo's don't. Having a bit of light conversation with the driver I said, "so, use those chains much"? "Heck no, they don't pay me enough to run in snow".



This in mind, if I was out in an RV in weather that bad, I would hole up for a bit. If you must though, I would look for cable chains. Less prone to severe damage should one dislodge and a lot smoother ride.

 

[Grunt]

I've seen lots of truckers who chained up their trailers to keep things straight while descending the passes here. I have chained up my travel trailer when on icy steep back roads.

 

[Mundgyver]

Chains on the back brake axle make sense to me. In my mind, you would be only doing this comming down a steep grade with ice and snow. I would think, as already mentioned, that setting it out and waiting would be the method of choice.

 

[KB0OU]

If you don't want to chain up the trailer stay away from mandatory chain up, it can cost ya a lot.

 

[Radshooter]

Thanks for all the input guys.



NO, I don't intent to ever purposely pull the rig in snow, but I have been in the middle of Wyo, an hour from anywhere, and witnessed a blizzard blow in so fast there is no time to get to a motel. These are the times I would be interested in having chains for. Or when it is warm and sunny on both sides of the pass, but you have to get over the pass to get to the other warm and sunny. I agree the best thing to do is hole up with the misses for a day or two and let things blow over. We've done it before, and will probably do it again. HOWEVER... since we work contract jobs, sometimes we are under the gun to get where we are going by a certain day. We try to give ourselves a few days lee-way as often as possible, but we all know how that works.



So far I have been lucky and not needed chains for this rig. I just have enough boy scout in me to want a set JUST IN CASE!



Thanks again guys. .

Steve

 

[GFrance]

Last New Years day we were comming back from Washington & had to chain up comming thru Portland. All vehicles grossing over 10,000lbs required that day. I put a set on my pick up rear axle & a set on the back axle of my 5vr as drag chains for stoping.

When I have to chain up my truck & trailer combo hauling fuel I put chains on both drive axles then one chain on left rear trailer tire & one chain on right front trailer tire.

 

[jelag]

I pull a large trailer all the time..... the law wants you to chain the TAG axle... the last axle on the trailer with brakes... YOU really want to do this if you need chains... . its nice to start to set the trailer brakes first... this pulls the trailer straight and starts to tug... . you than apply the service brakes on your truck... . I sometimes let the trailer brakes almost lock..... and drag me along... . other wise you might find the trailer along side of you... sliding in the snow trying to pass you.....



When the semi's are going 10 mph so am I..... last thing I want is to have problems sliding around... . I've sat for a couple of hours early in the morning waiting with 100 semi's for the plows to push through and 80 of those chained semi's to break up the ice... . snow's not much of a problem... but the ice will get you... .



When its really bad... . I don't mind waiting for 4 or 5 hours... . and if you wait that long you might get through without chains... . its never a big problem going up that hill, but one h*ll of a ride going down with the trailer wanting to slide along and push you... .



Hope this helps.



Jim

 

[Radshooter]

Thanks Jim



Always good to hear advice from someone who has been there done that. I'll take all the tips I can get from the pros.



Steve