Chains

[bigsur]

So would you use only one set of chains or 2 and if i only had one set would i put them on the front or rear of the wagon?

[Mpersicke87]

Chains scare me, I've seen too many fenders and trucks get eaten by them.

I run studded duratracs in the winter, never had an issue, and Iive and work in Alberta.

[Ducky's Dad]

If you only have two, put them on the back where they can do less damage to the truck. Proper installation is key to avoiding damage, but when you need them you need them. Studded tires are not legal around here, but we have mountains over 11,000 feet, so when we get snow, it is serious.

[MSCH2112]

i use my chains frequently....offroad only in the winter time and i have them on front and back. i don't use them onroad as i can see them coming apart potentially.

i keep my stock tire size because i use chains.

mike

[Cactus Red]

Chaining up on all four provides absolutely nutty traction. I've pushed powder snow over the hood going thru some drifts, and that was in an unlocked 1970 GMC!

If, and I say IF, you have clearance, running chains on the front is the best for a single set. They allow you to have better steering control.

Test fit them carefully, checking for clearance on break lines, control arms, fenders, frame, etc.

With 35's, I'm only chaining up the rear, and with the severe axle hop we have, it's dicey at that in deep snow. But, there are times chain's are the only thing that keeps you moving.

[Ducky's Dad]

If, and I say IF, you have clearance, running chains on the front is the best for a single set. They allow you to have better steering control.

True about the steering control, but which end you chain up depends on what you are trying to do and what kind of surface you are on. Front is good for steering, but if you hit the brakes a bit too hard on a turn with no chains in back (i.e., little traction in the rear), the back end of the truck can come around on you like it's on a greased skid pad. That can be real dicey in traffic. If you chain the front and need to get moving, that forces you to use 4WD and that creates some handling issues once you get moving. I would not chain only the front on paved roads, but would do it off road if conditions indicated.

[Cactus Red]

I've only chained up a 4x4 for pavement use a few times, and that was on Kodiak Island in glare ice conditions. Haven't seen 2" of ice on everything since. My typical use is in heavy wet snow or exceptionally deep powder off highway.

Sent via Carrier Pigeon

[TwinStick]

As with anything else, if your gonna use it hard, then buy the best quality. http://www.clothierproducts.com/default_site.htm

Read the fine print. Thet use a cross chain every other link & use heavier chain than most !!!

[bigsur]

Thanks for getting back to me. I use the truck all the time in snow on pavement and never have needed chains till I get off the pavement and head to the hot springs. Last year got turned around due to no chains. I am running 285/75/17 kt2 and I think I might trim my wheel well liner just a little, in fact, i might have to remove them.

[bigsur]

now i'm bummen. I know when I stuff my tires into the wheel wells on the back the chains will hit and I do stuff my tires when off road. And in a turn the chains on the front will hit unless, well i might have to call carli and invest in some control arms, ya thats it. $170.00 chains = 800.00 control arms, makes sense to me. She will understand, ya right

[JimmyW]

I have a set and never used them, even here in snow country. The condition of the snow makes a big difference. If it's not right for chains, they can bury you, or get you high-centered on routes used by snowmobiles. Usually, when it comes time to decide whether I need them, the conditions suck for crawling around in the snow to install them. I do run studded Wranglers in the winter, as they help a lot when descending icy roads.

[Mpersicke87]

Fibre works fenders. 4.5" bulge and 2.5" rise. 500$ for the bed sides and 3 something g for the fronts

[R0NAN]

If you buy chains with cam locks, preferably three on the inside and three on the outside, and you put them on snug... Drive a bit , snug them up again and then lock the cams, you will have zero chain lash. I've had them so tight that it swishes the tires. If mounted in such fashion, you can travel as fast as you want( highway speeds). With stock tires you quite possibly will have some control arm and fender liner rubbing at full lock depending on the thickness of the chain used.
I've experienced chain rub on the control arms and it sounds horrible but there was no damage due to the fact that at full lock you are going very slow.
As Cactus Red stated, traction is mind boggling in snow and on ice. I've had tremendous results in the bush and mud as well.
If I could suggest one thing it would be to get chains with cam locks and practice putting them as mentioned above.

[bigsur]

the chains are 7mm square link with no cam but built for the tire size and i will use rubbers to keep snug. I will only be using them off road, driving slow, in sucky conditions like to make a pass in death valley to get to the springs.

[R0NAN]

Also... If you only have one set to use, I would put them on the back for higher speeds to avoid spinning out. For lower speed wheeling I would put them on the front due to the extra weight/ traction and the fact that you have better steering control.

[bigsur]

sounds good to me. in the snow the truck is great on the road.. this is only for the times i cant get to someplace off road so on the front they will go and slow

[R0NAN]

My experience with rubbers holding chain have led me to use the cam locks. At low speeds you are likely ok but as soon as you start going a bit faster the rubber has no chance at keeping the chain under control. If you haven't bought your chains yet, consider looking at camed versions. Rubber bands can get hooked on stuff and the sun and elements quickly break them down. If you get a chain tool, you can buy and install cams on the the chains your looking at but for the work involved in doing so, I would simply buy them already on. It is a much much better system than using bungees.
I had found some chains with cams that fit our stock tires last year but can no longer find the link. If I can find it again I'll post it.

[bigsur]

Thanks for your thoughts. I have already gotten the chains and there are no cams on them. I will look into that for sure and I dont mind modifying them. These will be used slow like not on the hwy. Oh ya the 7mm boron steel square link for my tire did not come with a cam option.

[04Ram2500Hemi]

I have chains for all four tires, but if I only had one set I'd put them on the front tires. My thought on chains is this- I use them when I get stuck to turn around and go home. If you get stuck with chains on you're really screwed.

[Ducky's Dad]

In the mountains around So Cal, the Highway Patrol sets up checkpoints for chains after snow storms. Sometimes they will let 4WD vehicles with snow tires go through, sometimes they will require that you have chains on board (just in case) and sometimes they make you chain up if you want to keep going. Even with a PW. When the roads get icy, you need chains to stop, even more than you need them to get moving.

My chains are USMC milsurp and they fit my Toyo 35s on stock wheels, but there is virtually zero clearance on the front. Should be strong enough. There is a place in the Lucerne Valley called Hundred Dollar Guy or something like that, and he often has milsurp chains, tires, sand ladders, etc.

[Calvinm119]

You could always use rope. Its worked for me. Its not the best and I have only used it to get myself out of a tight jam.

[coder]

I have chains for all four tires, but if I only had one set I'd put them on the front tires. My thought on chains is this- I use them when I get stuck to turn around and go home. If you get stuck with chains on you're really screwed.

That's when it's time to break out the winch!

[04Ram2500Hemi]

I have chains for all four tires, but if I only had one set I'd put them on the front tires. My thought on chains is this- I use them when I get stuck to turn around and go home. If you get stuck with chains on you're really screwed.

That's when it's time to break out the winch!

LOL! Then once you're out with the winch it's really time to get the hell out of the woods.