what axle to chain up?

[doncoons]

This is probably an old question, but I have had many opinions. On a full size diesel 4X4 with auto, what is the best axle to chain up? I can't afford to chain up all axles. thanks

 

[SierraRam]

Front, thats where the weight is and your steering control.

 

[GaryOwen]

Rear - if you chain up the front, your back end will pass you when you have to brake in a curve. Ask me how I know!



Gary

 

[TRLRTRSH]

California Tire Chains Laws



Which Tires To Chain Up:



Automobiles and Light Trucks

Automobiles and light trucks must use chains on both tires of the drive axle. If you have a four-wheel drive vehicle and only intend to chain up two tires, always check the owners manual for advice on which axle to chain up. To alleviate confusion and retain as much of the normal handling characteristics of your 4WD/AWD as possible, install traction devices on all four tires. Under normal driving conditions, a vehicle has about the same amount of traction at each wheel, creating a feeling of "normal" control during braking, acceleration and cornering. Under snow and ice conditions this balance is destroyed. If snow chains are installed only on the front tires, the rear of the vehicle can react unpredictably during braking and driving. If snow chains are only installed on the rear tires, the steering ability of the vehicle is limited. To get this balance back, the vehicle should be completely equipped with snow chains. Remember that traction devices are sold in pairs. Therefore, if you want to cover both axles (all four tire) on the vehicle, you must purchase two pairs.



doncoons: This from the kalifornia chain laws page. As you can see from the first two responses your going to get a mixed bag of answers for you question

Front only, rear only? use your best judgement as the situation requires at the moment, Me, I'd have two sets available and chain up both front and rear if the situation requires it.

 

[cerberusiam]

Chains the rear only and then only if you need to. If you ever get to the point where you need to chain the front, stay home or get a snow cat.



You really, really, don't want to see the havoc that will be wreaked on your front axle when you find how far it will go chained. Been there, done that. :-laf

 

[RLHannink]

The rear.



Last winter I was stuck in a line of chained up vehicles up on Donner summit, I80 in CA, some idiot in a half ton 2wd Dodge had his cables on the front axle. I almost went over and asked him if he knew something I didn't. Well the idiots [Caltrans] at the chain check let him go through, sure enough like 100 yards past the chain check he spun out. I had to squeeze past him in my loaded, chained up Freightliner hay truck. As I crawled past I asked out the window if he learned anything that day. He just nodded.



Thought I'd share the story. Combine idiots, snow, and vehicles and you see some funny stuff. He had a 2wd, but even with a 4x4 you always chain the rear first, mostly because it's lighter than the front. To this day I have no idea what that guy was thinking.

 

[cerberusiam]

some idiot in a half ton 2wd Dodge had his cables on the front axle. I almost went over and asked him if he knew something I didn't.

Now THAT is funny right there!! :-laf:-laf

 

[Grizzly]

If you only have one set of chains, always put them on the rear axle and find some weight to put in the bed. That goes for 2WD, 4WD and AWD.

 

[Matt400]

I have never chained a 4x4 but have noted the County plow trucks (pick-ups) in our area chain just the rears.

 

[Doubleclutch]

Hey RLH... from what I've seen, we need to invent rain-chains for my friends and neighbors here in the Golden State.

Greg

 

[Matt400]

These are nice. . just hit the button- Onspot of North America

 

[kenny61]

The rear.



Last winter I was stuck in a line of chained up vehicles up on Donner summit, I80 in CA, some idiot in a half ton 2wd Dodge had his cables on the front axle. I almost went over and asked him if he knew something I didn't. Well the idiots [Caltrans] at the chain check let him go through, sure enough like 100 yards past the chain check he spun out. I had to squeeze past him in my loaded, chained up Freightliner hay truck. As I crawled past I asked out the window if he learned anything that day. He just nodded.



Thought I'd share the story. Combine idiots, snow, and vehicles and you see some funny stuff. He had a 2wd, but even with a 4x4 you always chain the rear first, mostly because it's lighter than the front. To this day I have no idea what that guy was thinking.

Obviously you are not a real forward thinker like he was. While you were thinking only of what was in front of you, the up hill part, he was thinking much further ahead,the down hill part. He must have calculated that going down hill ,the weight transfer to the front, It would be much better to chain the front for steering and breaking. Oo. :-laf

 

[Grizzly]

These are nice. . just hit the button- Onspot of North America

I really like the Onspot system. I didn't see pricing. What's a set cost for our trucks?

 

[Matt400]

Dunno, but there is toll free numbers and email listed in the "contact us" section.

 

[Rhondasway]

I guess folks might need some experience with this, but the guys I know who are serious about getting places in snow chain the front. Yes, braking can mess you up, but in seriously bad conditions, chains on the rear don't help you steer. Brake like you have a trailer on (which some actually do have). When things get hairy, your accelerator will take your truck out of trouble if you drive it right.

 

[MDietrich]

I really like the Onspot system. I didn't see pricing. What's a set cost for our trucks?

About $1895 for trucks without airbrakes. Found that in the FAQ section.



MD

 

[WTBurke]

Chains? From Butte Montana at minus 30 degrees over the Minada Pass at 3am in a true blizzard I've never chained up a four wheel drive. Of course I don't have street tires and I don't drive like an idiot. In the back country high in the Sierra Mountains well off the paved roads it's called "wheeling". Everyone who is there is "aired-down" to the maximum without popping the "bead". Anyone entering the area caught with "chains on" are delt with. Their chains are cut-off with bolt cutters. Yes... there have been many angry words of exchange. Funny... no cell phones work that far back into the mountains and calling the Hiway Patrol won't work. The "new buffoon" learns from the Anarchy-crowd how to conduct himself in the snow. Aired-down, you get up on top of the snow and pack it. You tip-toe along like a ballerina and never,never dig holes. Tread lightly is the law of the land... speed is not the quest... safety is.

Chains are for the inexperienced and faint of heart average driver who doesn't have a clue. The Hiway Patrol has no time to deal with thousands of idiots (look at Interstate 80 east of Sacramento) on a snowy Friday evening before a big ski weekend. I've been in all the situations but, I've been taught by some of the best on how to survive and drive.

Not to offend anyone here on the TDR but, if you chain your 4x4 CTD you lack some common knowledge. Chained up will take you quite a long way until you dig in so deep you're bottomed out and you then deserve a good slapping. Airing down with an ARB up front will take you much farther... if your heart will hold out. These trucks will exceed the "fear factor" of most people who own them. Get with someone who knows... it will pay off in the long run.



William

 

[Matt400]

Not to offend anyone here on the TDR but, if you chain your 4x4 CTD you lack some common knowledge.

Maybe not. . If the OP is doing plowing or has to access unplowed property in steep Oregon terrain they could be very useful.



In Butte @ 30 below I would suspect the snows water content to be fairly low especially if you say folks are off roading in the stuff. In the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range the water content is pretty high being in a coastal region. Only thing I have seen off road out here is snow mobiles and snow cats as all other just sink unless you are talking about a foot or so deep where you can get some terra ferma.

 

[BigEasy]

holy cow... you folks are gona get people killed! nobody even asked what kind of terrain the original poster was on, or what speeds!

 

[Rhondasway]

Chains? From Butte Montana at minus 30 degrees over the Minada Pass at 3am in a true blizzard I've never chained up a four wheel drive. Of course I don't have street tires and I don't drive like an idiot. In the back country high in the Sierra Mountains well off the paved roads it's called "wheeling". Everyone who is there is "aired-down" to the maximum without popping the "bead". Anyone entering the area caught with "chains on" are delt with. Their chains are cut-off with bolt cutters. Yes... there have been many angry words of exchange. Funny... no cell phones work that far back into the mountains and calling the Hiway Patrol won't work. The "new buffoon" learns from the Anarchy-crowd how to conduct himself in the snow. Aired-down, you get up on top of the snow and pack it. You tip-toe along like a ballerina and never,never dig holes. Tread lightly is the law of the land... speed is not the quest... safety is.

Chains are for the inexperienced and faint of heart average driver who doesn't have a clue. The Hiway Patrol has no time to deal with thousands of idiots (look at Interstate 80 east of Sacramento) on a snowy Friday evening before a big ski weekend. I've been in all the situations but, I've been taught by some of the best on how to survive and drive.

Not to offend anyone here on the TDR but, if you chain your 4x4 CTD you lack some common knowledge. Chained up will take you quite a long way until you dig in so deep you're bottomed out and you then deserve a good slapping. Airing down with an ARB up front will take you much farther... if your heart will hold out. These trucks will exceed the "fear factor" of most people who own them. Get with someone who knows... it will pay off in the long run.



William

I like what you said here, actually. A little brutal, maybe... I have also never had to chain my Dodge, ever, in any conditions until last week, including tons of winter mountain driving in the NW (I'm a snowboarder and we call our snow "Cascade Concrete"). I've just kept really good tires on her.



Last week I had to chain. My driveway goes up to a cul-de-sac that continues up, and there had been no plowing or sanding. No problem until the 1+ foot started to melt and my well-worn tires wouldn't take me past my driveway. Even chained in the front (no steering without them) I had to use 4 low (oh, THAT'S what it's for!) and just let 'er idle to the top. Worked like a charm!

Not everyone has snow experience and I don't blame anyone for wanting to be cautious. The chain manufacturers say put them on the rear on a 4x4. I've never seen chains required on a 4x4, so I'd say the key is to have great tires, Mud and Snow type such as Dick Cepeks , and carry chains and a little shovel just in case. Follow someone you think is driving within your capability, be easy on the brakes, and remain calm. If you get stuck (which you probably won't), you will be able to get the chains on where you need them.