what axle to chain up?

[icman95]

Thanks! I was considering something like that, but I'm sure they're not cheap.

 

[Paddy McMahon]

my truck has always managed to find the bottom or get high centered on the snow if it was deep enough. I've always run with no less than 600 lbs in the bed over the axle during winter. In my experience 255/85/16 sipped & studded w/ chains worked way better than the 285/75/16 AT aired down. I once tried to air down to about 15psi and "float" the truck up on the snow that was about 4 feet deep w/ the wider AT tires and my truck idled up on top and promptly burried itself. Personally I am just too chicken to do the "wheeling thing. As I routinely travel alone I couldn't stand the thought of having to count on winching out or snowshoeing out & having someone in a snow cat come get me. I just stay away from the deep snow. The few times I was lazy and just chained one axle it was the front and I had good success with that off road. Ive had better luck w/ AT tires in my third gen truck on the ice than the MT tires regardless of the size and I just avoid getting in to a situation where I'll be in snow over the bumper. As for the cable vs. chain thing there is no comparison between cables and chains w/ ice bars... the chains are far better for the nasty stuff. Of course having a laddder of the chain let go is always a bummer for the wheel well and the fender! Anyway this is just my humble opinion. I really think the key to succes in any nasty roadway is just drive slowly so you can roll to a stop w/ out getting on the brakes. Those ABS wont do anything except prevent lockup on the ice-you'll just roll on through. Plan ahead. good luck. Hammersly... that is an awesome setup you have on your truck-I'm jealous.

 

[rkressg]

Buckstop Bumper..... they make all types..... REALLY HD and attachments are fantastic...



BUCKSTOP Truckware - Heavy-Duty Winch Bumpers for Ford, Dodge, Chevy Trucks and SUVs

I will need to get a picture of mine. I totaled a Bluebird bus with my Buckstop back in Feb.



I left my truck parked at Pittsburgh Intl Airport, and one of their shuttle busses came around a corner and smashed my bumper. It knocked the License plate off my truck, but apparently, it opened the bus (front passenger side) up like a tin can. I guess it caught the tow hooks underneath, and pulled open the sheet metal.



To be honest, when I got to my truck, I did not even notice the damage, I only noticed after I found the note they left for me.



They are tough bumpers.

 

[rkressg]

Found a PIC on my laptop fo the Buckstop. It smashed up that bus good.

 

[mgoncalves]

What a hilarious thread!!



Some people just can't imagine that someone else might be doing something a little more demanding than they are :-laf.



On topic, I favor chaining up all four when needed, but have been known to just hit the fronts if I'm in a hurry and just looking for a little extra steering control. Now, I use my chains off road only, and usually because I HAVE to get somewhere nobody has been in a while like a cell tower emergency in the mountains or just getting caught 30 miles from pavement in a massive rainstorm. Pretty sure nobody is going to try and cut them off my truck, mainly because there is nobody around for miles, thus the chains to keep from being stuck waiting for someone to miss me and come look for me after a few days. Chains are not an option for a lot of people in this area, and you see them used year round.



Or maybe I'm just an idiot and need to go to California wheeling school!!

 

[Matt400]

What a hilarious thread!!



Some people just can't imagine that someone else might be doing something a little more demanding than they are :-laf.

Exactly, completely agree. #ad

 

[Jerky]

Just for a little humor I have had to chain up my horsetrailer as well, just to get out of some area's when the roads are iced up and at an angle. Out in the back countryI carry three sets, two for the truck and one for the trailer. You would be amazed at the trouble trailer chains has kept me out of. Food for thought. Cheers

 

[CRuth]

All depends on the conditions. I've been in deep sierra cement where chains don't dig down, at all. Pays to be prepared for whatever conditions you might encounter.