SNOW,

['956Wheel]

This CA member would like an answer that will be simple for those in the east... I asked my OHIO co-worker to no avail. When using chains on a 2WD dually what tires do you chain? Man I hope you believe there are no stupid questions... #ad
#ad


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9535hundred

 

[wrward]

As a reformed snow lover who has lived in Alaska and Colorado for to many winters, and had to drive in that white s**t with 2wd's, do yourself a favor and don't.
But if you just can't help yourself than the only difference it will make in which wheels to chain up will be in how hard you want to make the job. It is a lot easier to chain the outside wheels up. you where refering to the rears I hope?

 

[Whitmore]

Statland,actually you may be surprised!I have lot an lots of chain on duels experience,If you are chaining up 1 chain per side than I always put it on the outside simply for convenience,I dont believe it makes a hill of beans difference traction wise,the problem lies in the fact that which ever tire is chained up if (when) it spins it will throw the snow out from under it and the tire with no chain on will then take all the load, and of course it doesnt have any traction either,actually in 8 or more inches of snow single tire chains may hurt you.
the best is duel chains #ad
now we are talkin some serious traction,
if its simply for 2 wd truck just pleasing the state so you can get on the hi-way than a set of cable chains is best.
in WYO when we get bad winter roads and they put chain law in effect, that means 4x4 or chains on a 2 wd.
while hauling condensate off the desert for flying j I would make 3 trips per night and chains required(425 cat, peterbuilt,train set up,gross 145,000 illegal as h*ll)anyhoo that made 3 chain ups and 3 take offs per nite,did this for almost 2 years never missed a nite,finally got a better job #ad

hope this gives you insite,hope you won the bet #ad


P. S. if you go down and see your truck right now the chain up would be easy.
1. its nice and warm in there. hehe
2. there are no fenders to bump your head on hehehe.
3. there is a jack handy to lift the truck,hehehehe.
4. you wont have to hold flash lite in your mouth(turn overhead lites on) heheheheheheh.
sorry stat I am just havin a ball #ad




[This message has been edited by Whitmore (edited 02-13-2001). ]

 

[Deezal Man]

I don't think it makes a difference. . but the outside tires will suite up better than the insides. Most of the ambulances around here have those really cool automatic chains. . And they are on the inside. .

I'd love to know what a set of those cost. . #ad



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98. 5' 24v 2500 Auto/3. 54 4x4 SB QC 285-75-16's on Alcoa's. Everything but leather. PIAA 1200's, AMSOIL dual filter relocation system, Smittybuilt Stainless Steel Nerfs, Rhino Liner(Junk), K&N air filter(For Sale)15 year AMSOIL dealer. Time permitting, Soon to include Ultra-lite Pyro,0-50lbs boost, Trans temp in the pillar. Rancho 9000's with in cab adjustment.

 

[Koa Man]

Boy, am I glad I don't have to go through what you guys in snow country have to.

 

[pcorssmit]

Save yourself a lot of greif. Take a couple 2x4s or 2x6's, cut an angle on the end, and nail them together. When it snows, put it in front of the inside tire, pull up on it, and then chain up the outside. Makes adjusting the chains way easier.

Pete

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'97 2500 CC 4X4 5spd Sport
'83 K5 Blazer 350 TBI (ex 6. 2), 39. 5 TSLs, 3" lift, Dana 60/GM 14 blt, Detroits

 

[Happy Camper]

The fun begins when you have chains on all 4 and are in 4 wheel drive. If you have never layed on your side in the snow with a shovel digging out your frame then you haven't really been stuck.

I can see where you would need dually chains to chain both tires, but I would think this would also make the forward speed slower because of the sheer volume of chain flying around the wheel well.

 

[Whitmore]

A few years ago I was pulling my camper off the mountain after a very succesful elk hunt,well I was chained on all 4 with the camper behind and was pushing thru drifts that were tall enough to break away and roll over the hood,the problem was that the mist from the chains fluffing the snow was getting sucked into the intake and my 460 engine would start losing power,I would pull over about every 2 miles and take the air cleaner off,the inlet to the carburator would have a ice forming,there would be like a 3 " hole for the air to go thru,prolly did this a dozzen times to get down from 10,500 to7,000 elevation until I had a chance.
this is one of my most memorable moments in my life,I can think of it and its like I am still there #ad

 

[Leon R]

I drive an 84 pass diesel pusher stlye school bus that has automatic tire chains. Now those are easy to put on!!

 

[QRTRHRS]

In addition to the dual chains for my dually, I have a "chain block" to aid installation. Just lay the chain in the slots and back on. Regardless, if it is bad enough to need chains, it won't be fun to do the install. When bad weather threatens, I try to stay home but it is nice to have a few extra "cards" on hand.

 

[illflem]

What are these automatic chains you guys are talking about and how do they work?

 

[Shelby Griggs]

Bill,

Here is a link to one manufacturer of the automatic chains, Insta-Chains.

I have seriously considered these for a non HP bombing of the Ram. They are expensive though, I think around $1k. I also have wondered if they meet the requirements for chains? Here in Oregon, occasionally they have conditional road closures and only let you pass with chains installed. So, I do get the chance to chain up once in awhile, but have not had to do the Ram yet, but I have a new set of chains on board at all times in the winter. Technically even when 4X4 is allowed to pass, most Cummins equipped Rams would still need chains because over 6500 pounds is not exempt. Oregon Chain Laws

Shelby

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2001. 5 2500 QC LB 4WD, ETH (Built 09-10-00), DEE, 3. 54 gears, Laramie SLT, Camper Special, Trailer Tow, Travel Convenience Group, Power Driver Seat, Alarm System, Remote Keyless Entry, Fog Lamps, Cab Clearance Lamps, HD Transfer Case, Bright White with a Gray Interior. Built 09-15-00, took delivery on 10-06-00, 6184 miles as of 02-10-01. Custom aluminum work body / flat bed. Coming soon: E-Brake and gauges.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

WOW Shelby - that has to be the most interesting link I've seen in a LONG LONG time! I wonder how well those work? I can just see them getting spit so hard from our power that they cut a brake line; or possibly smack that vacuum cylinder; or if the snow's deep enough (I've driven down roads where the snow was over 3 feet deep - over my hood on some trucks) that the chains don't go under the tires. Just my immediate thoughts off of the top of my head - I could be totally off base though.

-Steve

 

[Shelby Griggs]

Steve, I can't answer any of your questions, but I see them on quite a few school buses around here and I saw them on an ambulance today, so they must work. I think they are generally for larger trucks, but they claim they make models for 3/4 ton and up vehicles. Every time I have to put chains on to satisfy the ODOT roadblocks, I sure wish I had a set of these!!!

Shelby

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2001. 5 2500 QC LB 4WD, ETH (Built 09-10-00), DEE, 3. 54 gears, Laramie SLT, Camper Special, Trailer Tow, Travel Convenience Group, Power Driver Seat, Alarm System, Remote Keyless Entry, Fog Lamps, Cab Clearance Lamps, HD Transfer Case, Bright White with a Gray Interior. Built 09-15-00, took delivery on 10-06-00, 6184 miles as of 02-10-01. Custom aluminum work body / flat bed. Coming soon: E-Brake and gauges.

 

[willyslover]

don't all selfrespecting dually owners carry a 4x6x12" block for tire changes and chain ups ? helll I even carry one in my CJ7 for the high lift... almost had to chain up to get up my private road sunday night [went away for 24 hrs. and the snow got ahead of me. . had to plow for 3+ hrs to clean it up]

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Ol'#2 '01 3500 ETH/DEE Q/C 4x4 SLT+ sport silver.
NRA

 

[illflem]

I've lived in snow country for 25 years and have only chained up once,it was in California!
CHP was making everyone chain-up on I-5 even though the road conditions were better than they are in WA for most of the winter. Ended up getting a flat tire from a piece of someone else's broken chains. The way I avoid it is by owning a 4x4 and staying home when the weather gets crappy.

 

[Whitmore]

Steve,you are right on with the auto chains,any snow over 10 to 12"and they cant chop thru to get to the tires,a friend of mine is the transportation director for the school and he has 16 of these in service all in all he said it was the best thing he ever did,said all his female drivers keep on the road good now,once a year he installs new chain and set for next year

 

[hammersley]

The other problem they have is that they only work when the tire is spinning - and It sure looks like they would clog up with ice and snow. I mean look at the icebergs we can get under a rig without something like this to get stuff clogged to. I haven't talked to anybody that has used them - but do see them on school bus applications. Also do they turn one way - i. e. what if you're in reverse - do they turn the wrong way...

 

[Leon R]

Automatic chains do work in reverse as they are driven off the inside dual whether it is rotating forward or backward. They certainly work well on school bus applications. The chain only goes under about half of the inside duel but that is enough to give it some good bite. The only precaution you have to take is not to turn them off while you are stopped parked on them, the wheels have to be turning to free the chain up.

 

[Whitmore]

If any of you do some heavy 4 wheelen in the deep stuff,check out this combo,get a set of 10. 00-20 semi singles and borrow a chain tool (this is manditory) take all the cross links off of the second half of the chain as they are way to long,then take the spare cross links and put them inbetween all the others,this will give you two times as much chain, then put them on your tires and get a good measurment for length and cut the extra off.
warning:it takes 2 men and a small boy to put them on #ad

I have a set of these and they fill a 5 gallon bucket.
just something to toy with. Kevin