I went hunting for a couple weeks in WY during the major snow storm that hit a couple weeks ago. While on the mountain my son and I got stuck pretty bad. I drove off the mountain and bought Tire Chains. Went back up and did not get stuck again. What I did notice is in the deeper snow especially going up hill my rear axle started to hop really bad. Any suggestions as to stopping this issue? I thought about traction bars but I dont want to spend the money and find out they wont help my problem.
Could not be happier with how my 1999 SD did with those chains. Pulled out a GMC and a Tacoma. Also pulled a Game Warden out. I have used tire chains at work for years never bought any myself. Shouldn't have waited so long. Heres a couple of pics.





Stock tire size with chains. I was the first person through that road.

 

What road? lol

I vote traction bars.

 

Traction bars!

LEB

 

i have found the best way to avoid axle hop is to back out of the throttle.

 

what fun is that Tom?

OP like the other 2 said traction bars will help axle hop and eliminate axle wrap.

 

I noticed the hop stopped when backing out too. One of the times it happened was when I was helping some other hunters pack up and move out. They couldnt get there Tacoma through a huge drift. Going out worked great but going back in for another load and going up hill caused hopping. I backed all the way out and just stopped. Only way I could go forward was throttle. Once the tires moved the rear started hopping. Normally this wasnt the case.
I read another post about traction bars and there were concerns about using them with leaf springs. That they could cause lots of binding. Especially over uneven terrain. One guy said there could be issues going over a 6" curb. Have any of you experienced anything like this? I don't plan to make a rock crawling beast out of my pickup but have a chance of going over some nasty rods during hunting season. I use my pickup mostly for pulling my camper or other trailers on the highway. Couple times a year we go to the mountain.
Thanks for the responses.

 

Ladder bars..... That's your fix. Look at the details of my truck in my signature. I once in a great while beat the snot out of my truck and axle wrap was a huge deal for me running 38s and about 600 ft lbs to the rear tires. I made my ladder bars for almost nothing but a lot of time.

 

Getting rid of blocks between the springs and axle could help and possibly changing the rear springs. Lots of theories on spring length in regards to axle hop or spring wrap up. Most likely least expensive would be traction or ladder bars. In fact I think ProComp makes a bolt on set for the superduty.

 

I know of a guy that makes even better bars than any bolt on kits you can buy. PM for details.

 

Hmmm, wonder who that could be...

 

Tried to PM you and it says you are out of room for more PM's.

 

some drunk in georgia??

 

SC............

 

as usual, paul's box is full....








#happens
#alot
#last
#pasttenseoflost
#:fo2:

 

crap, PM alpha/omega. I'll go clean my box :flip