Snow Chains Questions

[MSLiechty]

We are leaving for a 2500 mile trip this weekend, and will be crossing a couepl mountain passes, in Utah, and Colorado. Anybody have a recommendation for chains that work well with CTD's Being from Southern Kalifornia chains are rarely needed even when going to the local mountains.

Michael

 

[Hammy713]

I live in the Inland Northwest and we get lots of snow up here. As long as you have good tires and a 4x4, I don't think chains are needed. I've never used them and live in the mountains with a long, snowy, steep driveway. Unless your doing some off the path/road driving you should be fine (tires permitting).

 

[HGreen]

Try www.tirechains.com. Great service and good prices. Will you need them, who knows. Required - someone local to the area may be able to tell you.

 

[raksasa]

We are leaving for a 2500 mile trip this weekend, and will be crossing a couepl mountain passes, in Utah, and Colorado. Anybody have a recommendation for chains that work well with CTD's Being from Southern Kalifornia chains are rarely needed even when going to the local mountains.



Michael

Do you have Les Schwab tire centers in your area? They can hook you up with what you need and if you don't use the chains, you can return them (that's the policy of the stores where I live, anyway). In some places it required that you carry them... better safe than forced to turn back.



Jon

 

[Simplysmn]

chain's

Trust me if they say chains are required Please put them on I am speaking form experience I just lost my truck to a roll over accident on a snowy/ Freaking Icy road and to boot it said 4 wheel drives carry chains or snow tires . your Life isnt worth a chance if you think just 4x4 is good enough .

 

[MSLiechty]

I'm planning on carrying the chains along with a quality floor jack to install them. Makes it much easier. Shovel,food, blankets, etc.



I was hoping someone could tell me if they have used chains on their CTD and which were best.



I just have standard cross link chains but looking at Tirechains. Com I see there are many different types.



Michael

 

[telliott]

i've lived in colorado my whole life and the only time i ever use chains is on unamaintained roads in bad storms. If the passes are bad enough that you require chains, they will be closed anyway. if you have 4wd and good tires you should be fine without them.

 

[jelag]

There are several good comments here... . if you used to snow and ice than you will be fine if you take it easy and follow your gut feeling, however simplysmn is right..... this roll over can happen... I own several 3500 duallys and I won't chain them... we carry chains because our laws say we have to when we pull a trailer but we hold up instead of chaining... . one loose chain can do $1000. 00 damage to a dually wheel well before you can stop... ...

If you've not driven in ice and snow... do take it easy, and if necessary chain up..... I've followed a lot of people who would have been fine either with chains or understand better how control changes with out them on ice and snow... .

Be safe, and have fun, like it was said above your life isn't worth the chance...

 

[cojhl2]

I have not driven on moutain passes here in CO in the winter. But I talked to a friend of mine just the other day and he said when chains are required it means all vehicles chain regardless. In WA usually 4wd don't have to chain up.



Also,, set your chains up so you don't have to jack the vehicle. it's too time consuming and another danger point.



First make sure the chains are not tangled. Lay them out before leaving home and wire the ends together. This prevents one end from pulling through.



Then (at home) mount the chains and cut off extra links on the inside so you always hook without dropping a link. That way you know right where to hook when laying under the dripping snow and water.



When installing unwire the ends, throw the chain over the tire and hook the last link on the inside. You have already set the proper length at home. This is the only time you will get wet and if you throw them over properly it will only take an instant. (The chain ends are at the bottom)



Then hook as tight as possible the outside chain. Work on the rest of what ever you are chaining,, prob the other rear.



Pull ahead slightly and redo the over center link on the outside.



Turn the cams tight and you are ready to go. (Use truck chains that have those cams)



There is a company from Germany (I think it's spelled RUD, pronnounced rude) that makes a car chain that is completely installed from the ouside. Maybe they have some strong enough for these bigger vehicles.



Good luck,, it's fun to be the fastest and most efficient on the pass when all are stopped to chain.

 

[telliott]

I have not driven on moutain passes here in CO in the winter. But I talked to a friend of mine just the other day and he said when chains are required it means all vehicles chain regardless. In WA usually 4wd don't have to chain up.

QUOTE]



i'm not sure i agree with this. Usually when it says chain law is in affect in colorado, it only applies to the big trucks. i have never seen it required for a 4 wheel drive vehicle, or even a front wheel drive car for that matter. i have been over the passes many times when there is a chain law, and i have never chained up. like i said before, if its that bad, the passes will be closed anyway. Sorry, i'm not trying to disagree just to cause a fight, this is just what i have observed along my travels through the mountians. As i said above, i have never had to chain up except on unmaintained roads in really bad weather. However with that being said, i still always carry a set of chains with me in the winter because you just never know.

 

[cojhl2]

I have not driven on moutain passes here in CO in the winter. But I talked to a friend of mine just the other day and he said when chains are required it means all vehicles chain regardless. In WA usually 4wd don't have to chain up.

QUOTE]



i'm not sure i agree with this. Usually when it says chain law is in affect in colorado, it only applies to the big trucks. i have never seen it required for a 4 wheel drive vehicle, or even a front wheel drive car for that matter. i have been over the passes many times when there is a chain law, and i have never chained up. like i said before, if its that bad, the passes will be closed anyway. Sorry, i'm not trying to disagree just to cause a fight, this is just what i have observed along my travels through the mountians. As i said above, i have never had to chain up except on unmaintained roads in really bad weather. However with that being said, i still always carry a set of chains with me in the winter because you just never know.

No problem telliott,, as I said I do not have firsthand experience and you do so I would follow your lead rather than mine.



Come to think of it, my friend may have assumed we were taliking about big trucks cause I drive one, albeit not in the winter and not if CO... I would bet on you being correct.



In WA when it says chain up it means cars and trucks, but 4wd are exempted.

 

[Simplysmn]

my troubles started and ended on hwy 88 out of jackson ca. the road said 4 wheel drive with snow tires ok everything else chain up so me being 4x4 with mud n snow tires started out with no problems we had already gone threw 70 some miles of Nasty snow n Ice we were less then 3 miles from clear road when we hit a patch of solid Ice hit embankment and flipped needless to say Myself and my wife both walked out of this with minor cuts and scrapes

me being the lucky one with a artifical knee joint somehow climbed out and didnt mess anything up I sure believe that the angel was working overtime that day . I spoke with the chp officer and he said that he saw 3 accidents on the way up to ours that same day and within 2 days of this they had to lifeflight 2 out the night piror to me getting truck picked up . all I can say is drive safe and its not the snow you watch out for its the hidden Ice . what was funny in a way is even caltrans had chains on and had to put cinder down so he could back up with the snow plow truck and they never shut down the road what so ever . I guess that goes to show that money is more Important then lives cause they have Carson City on one side and Jackson with a Indian casino on the other

 

[TMitch]

I always carry them and have needed them a few times. I recommend cam-lock tighteners on the chains. No bungy cords are needed to tighten them up and the first time you use them you'll thank yourself for getting them.

 

[KMcBride]

I used v-bar chains on the back of my first gen 4wd with limited slip with good results.



In California there are three main types of chain controls or requirements.



1. R-1 Chains or snow tires required ( snow tires will have the small marking on the sidewall "M+S") on vehicles less then 8,000 lbs



2. R-2 Chains on all vehicles except four wheel drives with snow tires.



3. R-3 Chains on all vehicles "No exceptions"



However all vehicles must carry chains in chain control areas. I have seen the CHP check for chains and turn back vehicles with out chains.



For light weight ease of install and performance on dry roads the cable chains by I belive SSC are real good.



Lastly, I find that the torque of the diesel and the engine braking (without a jake) can easily cause the rear wheels to brake loose.

 

[BHolm]

I guess the question I have is, are you just driving the truck or are you pulling a trailer too? If it is just the truck, I wouldn't bother with chains. I live in CO at the base of one of the nastiest pass roads anywhwere, Red Mtn Pass. I drive it several times a week in my empty dually pulling a couple snowmobiles. Good tires and common sense are the best tools. Contrary to popular belief, M&S rated tires are a FAR cry from "snow tires" in my book. Tires that come stock on these trucks are garbage for real snow country. Try something like a BFG AT KO or the new Wrangler from GY, both have true snow tires status and they work. On my dually I run Cooper ATRs and they work great as well.



As far as CO's laws, telliot is correct, only commercial vehicles are required to chain up. The roads will be closed if it gets so bad chains are needed on a 4wd truck.



If you still really think you need them, I have bought from tirechains.com before and the service was very good. My bet is, you will never need them though. I pulled a loaded 28' bumper pull car trailer through the mountains in a storm a month ago. I was running the Megacab with fresh GoodYear Wranglers. There were people, especially the big rigs, having trouble but I had plenty of traction. Of course a $1000 worth in tires might be offensive in light of a $100 set of chains... . let your conscience be your guide I guess.

 

[MSLiechty]

Thanks for the replys, we are just driving through but will be picking up about 800 lbs of equipment, SW of Denver. Currently we still have the stock junk tires the truck came with but only 22K miles on them. I'll be picking up chains regardless.



Thanks again

Michael

 

[FLynes]

If you drive up I-80 in CA, up Donner Pass, and the warning signs and flashing lights are on to put on your chains, you will have to put on chains. My late wife and I had just gotten married (1995) and were driving up Donner Pass, on our way to Colorado, when I was signaled to pull off the side of the road by State Troopers with lanterns, after I ignored the blinking road signs. There were, of course, nice gentlemen on the side of the road who just happened to be selling chains for cars. I already had a pair, put them on and kept going.

 

[MSLiechty]

15 N to the 70 E, I've been up around Donner quite a bit and the 80 and 50 gets nasty.



Greatest thing I ever saw was 4 big plows one in each lane back from each other, plow from one lane to the next to the next to the next.



This beach kid had never seen that before.





Michael

 

[JDerrick]

Ok so now that we have decided that whe the sign says " chains required" we should just bite the bullet get out, throw them on and be done with it for the added saftey that does come with having chains on a vehicle. BUT now for the age old question, chain the front, chain the back , or both. I have only ever chained my 99' p/u up once. I carry a set of chains in my 06' just so that I dont get caught out without them, and need them. ( Elko {Northeastern} NV here ) yes we do get our share of snow, measured sometimes in the multiples of feet.

Front, back or both has been the subject of MANY discussions here in the fire station. So what do people think, what has worked for you.





Jim

 

[cojhl2]

Ok so now that we have decided that whe the sign says " chains required" we should just bite the bullet get out, throw them on and be done with it for the added saftey that does come with having chains on a vehicle. BUT now for the age old question, chain the front, chain the back , or both. I have only ever chained my 99' p/u up once. I carry a set of chains in my 06' just so that I dont get caught out without them, and need them. ( Elko {Northeastern} NV here ) yes we do get our share of snow, measured sometimes in the multiples of feet.

Front, back or both has been the subject of MANY discussions here in the fire station. So what do people think, what has worked for you.





Jim

On single axle drive of course always the drive axle.



On multi axle capable my opinion always the back first then the front if necessary.