Ford Raptor Owners/Tire Chains

[Ten Bears]

Any Gen 2 or 3 Raptor owners use and could recommend a pair of tire chains ? Or do you not use them with the truck as the manual says not to ?

Can’t seem to find a straight forward answer on this.

 

[Steve300xcw]

get out the tape measure and see how much clearance you have. I wouldnt put much faith in the manual

 

[cb2176]

Seems like absolutely nothing is made to be long-lasting and heavy-duty anymore.

An insane amount of stuff are grandparents had is still serviceable.

Anything made in the last ~20 years...
The first sign of trouble, throw it away and buy another. So frustrating.

Some of us would like a HD truck to be used off pavement. Hard to beat the effectiveness of chains.

 

[Justin Crossley]

Any Gen 2 or 3 Raptor owners use and could recommend a pair of tire chains ? Or do you not use them with the truck as the manual says not to ?

Can’t seem to find a straight forward answer on this.

Rear only

 

[Ten Bears]

Rear only

have any recommendations on a pair ?

 

[Matt5266]

A truck that cant handle chains? I'd sell the truck.

 

[tdhanses]

A truck that cant handle chains? I'd sell the truck.

Better not buy anything 15 yrs old and newer.

 

[Matt5266]

I'm not sure about newer vehicles. Guess I'll add that to my list of reasons I keep my 2003 truck.

 

[Justin Crossley]

have any recommendations on a pair ?

I carry Les Schwab quick-fit chains most of the time. I also have a set of the v-bar highway service chains but they aren't as easy to throw on so I rarely carry them.

The reason most newer trucks can't utilize chains in the front is the lack of clearance between the top, inside of the tire and the upper control arm. I don't know why that gap is so small on most new trucks but it is and I can't even pass my fingers through on most. The option to fix it is more offset wheels, or wheel spacers.

With all that said, I rarely actually use chains anyway. I simply air down the tires and go.

 

[S-3 ranch]

Better not buy anything 15 yrs old and newer.

I get so mad with these new trucks and the ABS system when I am going good
And the computer shuts down any forward progress
Usually pull the ABS fuse when it gets serious

 

[Tjdeerslayer37]

I get so mad with these new trucks and the ABS system when I am going good
And the computer shuts down any forward progress
Usually pull the ABS fuse when it gets serious

something i have done before is replaced the abs fuse with a reset-able circuit breaker of the same size, then i can flip it on and off like a switch from inside the cab.

 

[Poser]

A truck that cant handle chains? I'd sell the truck.

There are few if any stock, modern trucks with the clearance for front chains.

 

[Matt5266]

There are few if any stock, modern trucks with the clearance for front chains.

I was not aware, I have a 2003 dodge 2500 cummins. It's funny to me that the price of vehicles keeps going up but the value you get keeps going down. "They don't make em like they used too"

 

[fmyth]

Seems like absolutely nothing is made to be long-lasting and heavy-duty anymore.

An insane amount of stuff are grandparents had is still serviceable.

Anything made in the last ~20 years...
The first sign of trouble, throw it away and buy another. So frustrating.

Some of us would like a HD truck to be used off pavement. Hard to beat the effectiveness of chains.

Raptors were never intended to be an "HD truck". They are designed and built for high speed off road driving. If you want to take a vehicle built for going fast through the desert and use it to go slow in snow and ice you shouldn't be surprised that there are limitations.

 

[Jason Snyder]

I was not aware, I have a 2003 dodge 2500 cummins. It's funny to me that the price of vehicles keeps going up but the value you get keeps going down. "They don't make em like they used too"

The Dodge has a solid front axle. Thats your difference. Any truck with IFS will have the upper control arm clearance issues.

@Justin Crossley hit it. Spacers or different wheel offset. Or very low profile chains/cables for the front and v-bars for the rear.

Or drop your PSI to about 18.

 

[fmyth]

I carry Les Schwab quick-fit chains most of the time. I also have a set of the v-bar highway service chains but they aren't as easy to throw on so I rarely carry them.

The reason most newer trucks can't utilize chains in the front is the lack of clearance between the top, inside of the tire and the upper control arm. I don't know why that gap is so small on most new trucks but it is and I can't even pass my fingers through on most. The option to fix it is more offset wheels, or wheel spacers.

With all that said, I rarely actually use chains anyway. I simply air down the tires and go.

The further you push out the front control arms the more up/down suspension travel you gain. The biggest downfall to independent front suspension is the limited suspension travel. The only other way to gain travel is to make the truck wider hub to hub but that comes with its own set of issues. I put 1" hub centric spacers on my IFS truck before my hunt season begins and take them off after.

The other issue many trucks have is that manufactures are using the largest brakes discs that will fit within the wheel. This pushes the brake caliper closer to the wheel rim. This creates a potentially dangerous scenario running chains. If you get a loose chain that rips off a front or rear brake line you will lose all of your brakes. I like to have at least 1 inch of clearance between the chains and any part of the truck.

 

[PNWGATOR]

Call Bluejay Industrial in Hayden, ID and discuss your options with them. Their entire business is chains and rigging and their customer service has been exceptional.
Bluejayindustrial.com

 

[Ten Bears]

thanks for all the input.

what the hell is a tire sock and will that fit/work ?

 

[Steve300xcw]

No need to reinvent the wheel

 

[Steve300xcw]

But to be honest. I know a few guys driving truck that love them. Say they are pretty easy to trash though. Run a bit on dry pavement an such doesnt do them any favors. Might make sense on your town rig or something your are running the hiway with.

I wouldnt buy anything but real chains though