Interesting discussion with a friend about Tire Chains

[PAhunter58]

Had a discussion with a friend of mine regarding his use of tire chains last fall. He was in Colorado for a 4th season Deer hunt when his group (2 4X4 trucks) ran into some bad weather. Only one guy had a set of 4 chains and they decided to put a set on each truck. The oddity was each guy put one chain on a front wheel and one on an opposite rear wheel. Neither guy got stuck but that option seemed a little odd to me.

 

[fishslap]

Maybe they're avid canoers...

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

They were likely worried about sliding sideways and trying to do the best they could with 1 set?

I hope you took note of the discussion, pack tire chains (for all 4 tires and fit them ahead of time trimming the rat tail of chain off if needed), some of the roads can turn to snot depending on the weather conditions and slight side grades to the road can have you going sideways towards the steep edge.

 

[Titan]

The vehicle would need axles to match that setup. Probably Jeeps or 3/4 tons with locking diffs. Otherwise you are just going to spin those non-chained wheels.

 

[PAhunter58]

I do have chains for all 4 for sure. Needed them in South Dakota two years ago on a whitetail hunt. Just seemed odd to do what he said they did.
I was thinking the same thing with posi-traction they'd be defeating the purpose.

 

[OFFHNTN]

Maybe they're avid canoers...

HAhahahaaaa

 

[kvw4x4]

Haha

 

[fishslap]

HAhahahaaaa

Glad a couple guys got that.

I only have chains for the rear wheels on my 2016 dodge. No clearance for the front. I haven't looked into low clearance cables. Not sure if any chain would work. I don't go places that need them for the most part.

 

[CX5Ranch]

They weren't running half tons for sure. 3/4 and larger should have positive track differentials. It is no different than I would have done.

I have pushed snow for the state for 11 years and we only put 1 cable on the steer. Works great.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[11boo]

Chains always go during Rifle seasons. Huge traction advantage particularly in mud. I have never tried one chain front and rear, and it sounds like a bad idea. I do always start with a pair of chains on the front and have never needed to chain up the rear.

Always have spare rubber tensioners, and I leave the extra rat tail of chain since the set fits both my Jeep or truck.
When they go on the truck, the extra links get tied down with heavy duty zip ties.

 

[Hawkeye5964]

I have 2016 Ram 2500 and they only recommend rear chains so that what I do.

 

[Netherman]

If your truck is relatively new and you only had 2 chains I would definitely put one on each axle. It would help with slipping sideways as Pods pointed out but more importantly the newer ABS modules are capable of acting as a poor man's locker. I work on those systems and they will put brake pressure on the slipping wheel to push the torque to the tire with the chain on it.

This discussion also made me think of a pet peeve of mine. 4lo only helps if you aren't spinning wheels. 4lo is a torque multiplier and just give you more spin and no more pull. You need traction. That means better tires, chains, boards, shovel... If you're on pavement and aren't spinning that's the time to switch to 4lo and give 'er.

 

[ramont]

If you have a Dodge and want to install chains on the front then you should look in to buying offset rims. Your tire and wheel store should be informed well enough to find a rim that has the centerline offset enough to allow you to install chains on the front end. I bought a set of American Racing Wheel rims that worked perfectly for my Dodge.

 

[Matt W.]

Glad a couple guys got that.

I only have chains for the rear wheels on my 2016 dodge. No clearance for the front. I haven't looked into low clearance cables. Not sure if any chain would work. I don't go places that need them for the most part.

I too have minimal clearance on the front... Got some burly chains for the rear, but have been considering some low clearance cables or something for the front... Main concern is coming out the hills (downhill on narrow logging roads w/ high consequences for going over the side)

 

[camping1601]

I use one front and one back to keep from sliding off the road and not for added traction. If you have a vehicle with open diffs you will have to put both on the same axle to gain any traction advantage.

 

[Netherman]

I use one front and one back to keep from sliding off the road and not for added traction. If you have a vehicle with open diffs you will have to put both on the same axle to gain any traction advantage.

Just sayin...

If your truck is relatively new and you only had 2 chains I would definitely put one on each axle. It would help with slipping sideways as Pods pointed out but more importantly the newer ABS modules are capable of acting as a poor man's locker. I work on those systems and they will put brake pressure on the slipping wheel to push the torque to the tire with the chain on it.

 

[Matt W.]

The burly chains I have would not go on the front, perhaps just to go straight, but not at all if I had to turn....

 

[bwlacy]

Does anyone run these during archery season? We've only been out to Colorado once, going again in just under 2 weeks. Never gave them a thought. They aren't legal here on the roads. Don't think I've ever seen them in a store.

 

[PAhunter58]

The burly chains I have would not go on the front, perhaps just to go straight, but not all if I had to turn....

Those are bad ass!!

 

[camping1601]

The burly chains I have would not go on the front, perhaps just to go straight, but not all if I had to turn....

Those are teeth rattlers! I have then for all four 35's on my old Chevy.