Chains?

[Tony Trietch]

Just wondering how many keep a set of tire chains in the truck during the fall season. It seems every time I go any where new to explore, there is always a voice in my head saying "you better get those chains you have been putting off!"
I have gotten away with out them so far. You packing chains in your 4x4?

 

[jljmonky]

I am curious about this too. They are actually illegal for road use in Illinois so I have never owned a set but I imagine one bad trip will change that for mW.

 

[Tim M]

Both my work and personal trucks have a full set of four extra heavy mud duty chains in them at all times (unless it has been that dry for a month or so)... they have saved me many times.

 

[5MilesBack]

I haven't needed them yet during the archery season but I always have them. However, I'm not sure I've ever not needed them when hunting the later seasons. Usually chain up all four at that point and leave them on until I come out. But half the time I was pushing snow with the bumper coming out. Usually don't have that problem during archery.........but you never know. If it had been colder last year, we would have had 8 feet of snow on the ground instead of rain.

I remember one year around '90 or so, it rained for two days straight before I got back here to hunt. Then the day I got here it snowed about 10" above 7k feet. Nobody was going anywhere up there that didn't have chains. I have pics of my Toyota absolutely covered in mud from top to bottom. With chains on all four, it wasn't even an issue for the Yota or my buddy's Willy's.

 

[Vandal 44]

I have a set of four chains in the truck when I go on my later archery hunts and they get used every year. I do not take them for the early season.

 

[a3dhunter]

I've started keeping them in my truck year round, easier to do that and not "forget" to put them in come fall. Full set.

 

[Justin Crossley]

I carry a full set year round in mine. Plus I almost always have a set for my trailers.

 

[Tony Trietch]

Thanks guys. Now I just need to figure out what chains will work and still clear wheel wells.

Any suggestions on models that worked for you?

 

[rayporter]

chains and a shovel. check.

practice putting them on. learn how to keep them straight.

learn to repair them, too.

 

[69ChrisCraft]

I did when I lived in California. Western range of the Sierras gets massive snowfall, areas like Blue Canyon see in excess of 200". If I were headed back it wouldn't be a question. A very good investment.

 

[Justin Crossley]

Thanks guys. Now I just need to figure out what chains will work and still clear wheel wells.

Any suggestions on models that worked for you?

I like to use the highway service chains on the back and the Les Schwab quick fits on the front of my F350.

 

[AK Troutbum]

I keep chains, shovel, and tow strap in my truck all winter long.

 

[Mark]

Two sets in the truck. You never know when you might need them...

 

[mtnwrunner]

Yup, a chain for every tire and the REAL CHAINS with icebreakers. None of the cheap stuff. And a shovel as others have said. I also carry a section of tyvek so you can lay on it when you get into trouble.

Randy

 

[BroodBuster]

Yes,

Been a few times I wouldn't have seen my truck until spring without them.

 

[Zbowman1]

I never leave home without them.

 

[wapitibob]

Never owned a pair. Back when we were logging I had to go get the skidder a cpl times but the snow was 3' deep. I watch where I go now and If I have doubts I take the quad.

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

I keep a set in my truck year round though I have yet to need them.

 

[Tim M]

This is in May after taking 1 hr 45 min to go 1.5 miles back up to a main road.

 

[_Nick_]

I carry a full set year round in mine.

Ditto, though down in So Cal I rarely use them (come in handy in the Sierras though). I like these (durable and decently priced): http://tirechaindealer.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=74_84