Power Wagon Registry

That means I'm clueless on what to order. But I moved to Idaho. Anyhow, we've got a cabin rental up in Stanely and we're taking a trip to visit friends down in the rockies later in December. And some visits to McCall and I guess other areas where we might encounter chain up.

Anyhow, details, running 35x12.5x17 Toyo AT/II they're snow rated but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ - so I just want to get some chains to have in the truck for if I need them. Don't know the first thing, and wanted to ask forum members before I started browsing Amazon like a clueless fool.

Advice? Brands? Where to buy?

If you are thinking about chaining the fronts, better check clearances with those tires. Make sure you get some good tensioners, and carry spares. Last time I bought commercial chains, the hot ticket was the V-lug, probably still is. Avoid cable chains. Test fit in the driveway before you have to install them in a snowstorm, in the dark, wearing wet clothes, with your wife telling you what a dummy you are for having the wrong size chains and not knowing how to install by feel.

MikeKey wrote:That means I'm clueless on what to order. But I moved to Idaho. Anyhow, we've got a cabin rental up in Stanely and we're taking a trip to visit friends down in the rockies later in December. And some visits to McCall and I guess other areas where we might encounter chain up.

Anyhow, details, running 35x12.5x17 Toyo AT/II they're snow rated but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ - so I just want to get some chains to have in the truck for if I need them. Don't know the first thing, and wanted to ask forum members before I started browsing Amazon like a clueless fool.

Advice? Brands? Where to buy?

I wouldn't bother for those places.

Reloaderguy wrote: I wouldn't bother for those places.

The sign to the cabin had me concerned.

Chains? Pfff. Ths is what the real boys and girls purchase...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdLV0XgJ804

MikeKey wrote:

Reloaderguy wrote: I wouldn't bother for those places.

The sign to the cabin had me concerned.

You'll be fine, just don't stop...Nov 15th through May 15.

Yeah, if there's an avalanche that road's gonna close while the state/county/whoever clears it. You won't need to chain up to climb over a mountain of snow, rocks and tree limbs.

I'd hold off on chains until you run into a situation where you would need them, then decide if that situation will be common enough to justify the expense.

For example, as long as I'm living in Alaska, I probably won't be buying chains for my truck. If I were still living in Utah, chains would have been bought a long time ago. The set I bought for my last truck got a lot of use for both snow and mud on BLM and NF land.

If you do decide on chains, here are a few things to consider:

V-bar chains are about twice as thick under the tire as twist links. They last longer and bite ice well, but ride rougher.

Twist links ride a little smoother, but usually wear out fastest and have the worst grip.

Square links bite pretty good, and last longer than twist links. If/when I move somewhere that I need chains, they'll be square links.

Cam tensioners eliminate the need for additional tensioners. My next set of chains will have cams too. My last year in Utah I went through a couple sets of the "spider" style bungee tensioners.


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You guys are missing my snark. I'll have to try harder at being funny. I'm failing.

Great info!

And I got the joke too!

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Ha, I guess I missed it. I know too many Floridians, so I make no assumptions about what you guys know about snow


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I'm actually from Virginia and my wife is from Syracuse, NY and my family is from Ohio. I know snow. We just launched out of Florida after being there for 4yrs. (BTW, FL, nice for vacation, wouldn't recommend living there)

But I was actually thinking of getting chains so we can actually go explore. There are places with signs around here that say chains required. On our trip up thru Sandpoint I say signs saying state law, and the time of year you're required to have them. Figured having them would be good since we like to get out and explore, and ya never know. While we've been all over the PNW in the past year, we haven't been here in winter. No idea what a real western winter is like compared to snow drift in NY. Back east you don't need chains since nothing is at altitude.

If I'm not mistaken in ID chains are only required without 4x4 and M+S tires. I don't think there's anywhere in the PNW that requires chains for your truck. Maybe some place in MT or northern parts of AB.

Chains, power wagons don't need no stinking chains!

Yeah, read into the state law a little closer. An M+S or "Mountain Snowflake" tire is probably all you need.

I got the most use out of chains in the spring, when dirt roads are mostly clear, but have snow left in the shady and drifted spots. Spring was one of my favorite times to fish mountain streams and rivers, the fish haven't seen a person in six months and runoff hasn't started yet. Fresh winter snow usually isn't too bad to drive through with good tires, but heavy, leftover spring snow is a nightmare without chains once you break through the hard crust on top.


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In the Pacific Northwest, there are times & places when studs and chains are almost not enough on flat ground; and forget about any hills.... I have seen an inch (or more) of ice on everything. The only good part (besides it being "pretty" to look at from inside) is that it usually melts in a day or two.

I still have several sets of chains from when I lived out there; the nicest set was from Les Schwab in a yellow plastic case with a handle & plastic ground cover to kneel on. I have run them many winters on the front of my tractor - help a lot for traction on hard packed snow.

These are close fitting chains (as long as size is correct). These chains are probably considered "medium" duty; not heavy duty like they run here on skidders in the woods.

In CA, there are times when the Highway Patrol will let you through if you have 4WD, other times when you must carry chains even if you have 4WD, other times when you are required to chain up even with 4WD, and times when they just close the road and make you turn around even in a PW with chains on both axles. Better to have them and not need them...

Studs and 4x4.
Slow the down too! 4WD doesn't make you immune to the laws of physics.

Those "Road Closed" signs are all over the rockies. Check the state DOT site for closures before you go.
Avalanches on roads happen, in areas where they're common there's usually signage. One area near Hoback Jct slides about once a month through the winter, that slide path is well marked with flashing lights on sensors.

Same here in Colorado/Wy, usually not legally required but good to have as we have ridiculous ice. I was locked up the other day on the interstate just coming home from work. Cars/semis couldn't get up the hill. 28 deg and rain, BAm!

Colorado requires chains on all commercial rigs e/w. In my opinion, they should require N/S too.

I thought I'd revive this thread. Let's start with the assumption you want chains for whatever reason. Offroad, onroad, ice, etc.. let's stick to stick rims on a 2014+ and a fairly common mod of 35/12.5R17. I think this is probably a fairly common setup?

Would s-class peerless Z8 cables fit on the front (very slim) and peerless quik grip u-class square rod cam on the rear?

Hey, I happen to have this setup... but more importantly what kind of clearances are left for chains with true to size 35's? I'm just looking for a second opinion.

I used a pair of Chains for a Semi Truck.
My Tires are 35x12.7 17
Wich is 315mm wide.
My Semi has tire size 315/xxxxxxx
So i took a Bolt cutter an lenghtend them down because diameter from semi is bigger and With is the same.

They fit perfekt now and are strong.
Semi Chains on PW.
Strong and cheap.



You can go fast.
I can go anywhere.
Dodge Powerwagon

TankerZak wrote:I thought I'd revive this thread. Let's start with the assumption you want chains for whatever reason. Offroad, onroad, ice, etc.. let's stick to stick rims on a 2014+ and a fairly common mod of 35/12.5R17. I think this is probably a fairly common setup?

Would s-class peerless Z8 cables fit on the front (very slim) and peerless quik grip u-class square rod cam on the rear?

Hey, I happen to have this setup... but more importantly what kind of clearances are left for chains with true to size 35's? I'm just looking for a second opinion.

Well put them on and let us know!

Laclede 3231 7mm square link with cams & tightners,,,,have the AT II Extreme 35 x 12.5 x 17 tires on our truck and they fit and work well the few times have needed them but don't go muck over 30 mph on roads with them; use a bit and then check tightness,,,,,,like the others advise with our truck not much need MOST of the time.

olyelr wrote:

TankerZak wrote:I thought I'd revive this thread. Let's start with the assumption you want chains for whatever reason. Offroad, onroad, ice, etc.. let's stick to stick rims on a 2014+ and a fairly common mod of 35/12.5R17. I think this is probably a fairly common setup?

Would s-class peerless Z8 cables fit on the front (very slim) and peerless quik grip u-class square rod cam on the rear?

Hey, I happen to have this setup... but more importantly what kind of clearances are left for chains with true to size 35's? I'm just looking for a second opinion.

Well put them on and let us know!

I would but I'm having back surgery in a few days so probably not a good idea. It'll be 6 months before I can get to it... so I was looking to see who had tried. Sounds like rear is a no brainer, doesn't seem like anyone has tried fronts yet.

I picked up these guys from etrailer: https://www.etrailer.com/p-PW2037C.html

They'll be in my gear kit.

MikeKey wrote:I picked up these guys from etrailer: https://www.etrailer.com/p-PW2037C.html

They'll be in my gear kit.

Thanks for the link, looks great. I carried these in my Ram1500 and Avalanche for years, but the set I had was for 235s-265s. They fit my trailer though. Never had to use them (got stuck a few times, but winched out instead of chaining up.)

I'll order a new set when I get new shoes.