shopping for snow chains

[stlgrym3]

first of all, do I even need it being my truck is 4x4? if so, what do you guys use? there's only kind on etrailer.com that fits my 20" Lariat sport wheels/tire size, and it cost over $700. lastly, even though the truck is 4x4, but snow chains are only needed on the rear tires since it's a rear wheel biased 4x4 system, is that correct?

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[lilburnedbear]

If I were you I’d just find a Les Schwab and buy theirs. If you don’t wind up using them I believe they will buy them back at the end of the season. I think they cost me well under $100.

 

[RickBullotta]

Depends where you'll be, how essential it is that you be out on the roads when chains are required, and so on. Perhaps more important is a good set of snow tires or at least a 3 peak rated tire. With 4WD/AWD and a snow or 3PMSF tire, you'll usually be permitted through into areas where chains are required. On our winter trip last year through UT, WY, ID, and MT (and encountered snow/ice in AK, OK, TX, and NM), we had tire socks with us but were able to do fine without them including a couple mountain passes with the chain rule in effect. Personally we avoided chains because we had a lot of gear with us in the truck (plus bikes, skis, snowboards) and were managing payload a bit. I'm sure there are places that chains would be essential, but we never encountered them despite being caught in a number of storms over the 6 weeks we were traveling.

"Your mileage may vary"

 

[DT444T]

If you're only going to do TWO wheels then I would put them on the front and run it in 4wd. That way you get accel, braking, and steering.

But unless you're driving a mountain pass in a blizzard you probably don't need chains whatsoever.

If you're in SoCal then I assume you're talking Big Bear, Wrightwood, or maybe even Mammoth. With even a decent set of All Terrains you should be able to navigate them without chains. I lived in Wrightwood and never used them on my old Infiniti QX4.

Just slow down and remember it takes a LOT longer to stop on snow and ice, keep the slope of the road in the front of your mind, manage energy, and

TURN ON YOUR HEADLIGHTS IN LOW VISIBILITY CONDITIONS!!!!

 

[amschind]

Noob question:
I have KO2s (i.e. 3PMSF) and while they have spots for studs, I have never used them and cannot recall ever seeing tire chains. It's mostly a non-issue for me, but I would like to eventually take my trailer to the mountains. For AT tires with stud slots, are chains or studs a better option?

 

[ryanc111]

Noob question:
I have KO2s (i.e. 3PMSF) and while they have spots for studs, I have never used them and cannot recall ever seeing tire chains. It's mostly a non-issue for me, but I would like to eventually take my trailer to the mountains. For AT tires with stud slots, are chains or studs a better option?

If you add studs you need to do it when the tire is new and it is a permanent addition so only do it to dedicated winter tires.

 

[hotrodmex]

do I even need it being my truck is 4x4?

If you're in SoCal then I assume you're talking Big Bear, Wrightwood, or maybe even Mammoth. With even a decent set of All Terrains you should be able to navigate them without chains. I lived in Wrightwood and never used them on my old Infiniti QX4.

For California, you still need to have some in your possession for R1 and R2 controls, technically. Even if you have snow tires on a 2wd (R1) or have 4x4 with snow tires (R2). You would need to have them installed for R3 even with 4x4 and snow tires, but by then they are closing the road.

 

[DT444T]

For California, you still need to have some in your possession for R1 and R2 controls, technically. Even if you have snow tires on a 2wd (R1) or have 4x4 with snow tires (R2). You would need to have them installed for R3 even with 4x4 and snow tires, but by then they are closing the road.

I never had to put them on my 4x4 in Wrightwood ?

And yeah if it gets bad enough they're gonna just close things down.

I once went to BB in a FWD car with Florida plates on it and had no problem even without chains.

 

[hotrodmex]

I never had to put them on my 4x4 in Wrightwood

Right, you don't have to put them on. I'm not disputing your experience where you did not have to put them on. You are not required to use them, but by letter of the law you need to have some in your vehicle (I suppose incase you get stuck in an R3 situation).

 

[RickBullotta]

If you're only going to do TWO wheels then I would put them on the front and run it in 4wd. That way you get accel, braking, and steering.

But unless you're driving a mountain pass in a blizzard you probably don't need chains whatsoever.

If you're in SoCal then I assume you're talking Big Bear, Wrightwood, or maybe even Mammoth. With even a decent set of All Terrains you should be able to navigate them without chains. I lived in Wrightwood and never used them on my old Infiniti QX4.

Just slow down and remember it takes a LOT longer to stop on snow and ice, keep the slope of the road in the front of your mind, manage energy, and

TURN ON YOUR HEADLIGHTS IN LOW VISIBILITY CONDITIONS!!!!

Though I'd still make sure the All Terrains are 3PMSF rated. Siping and compound better suited for snow and ice.

 

[DT444T]

Right, you don't have to put them on. I'm not disputing your experience where you did not have to put them on. You are not required to use them, but by letter of the law you need to have some in your vehicle (I suppose incase you get stuck in an R3 situation).

"Yeah, I've got chains" ::gestures towards back seat::

 

[Gros Ventre]

A set of chains at NAPA a couple years ago was $100+. Get them by tire size. If you look up recommendations they'll commonly say chains of all for tires, 2WD or 4WD. Where should you put two chains? Well if you've got a bed load with good weight over the rear axle that's a decent choice. If running empty bed the front wheels would likely be better. Get the rubber chain tensioners.

 

[Mtnman1]

first of all, do I even need it being my truck is 4x4? if so, what do you guys use? there's only kind on etrailer.com that fits my 20" Lariat sport wheels/tire size, and it cost over $700. lastly, even though the truck is 4x4, but snow chains are only needed on the rear tires since it's a rear wheel biased 4x4 system, is that correct?

Chains? Where do you live? I live in the ohio snow belt and never seen anyone with chains.

If chains are required, i'd move before buying chains.....f that.

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