High Binder, have a great winter. Enjoy your trips to the back country. (add some weight to the bed for some added traction)

Tensioners are ok. If you do use them, hook them where the cross links connect to the rim chain.

Be safe!

 

High Binder thanx for the reps, they need to be tight, think of a chain or whatever & whip it around in the air over your head if it ever hit anything it would leave a mark.

 

If its bad enough that you need to chain up a 4X4 truck I would chain up all 4 tires.

I have alot of experience with chains.

They should not be too tight or too loose. Too tight and you will damage your tires. Too loose and the chains will beat you fender wells.

don't just buy chains, buy Ice cleet chains.

Don't lay them out on the ground to put them on, drape them over all four tires and use a rubber tie down to hold them together, pull forward about 2 feet and connecte the Cam Locks. Then put the chain tighteners on. I don't run any faster than about 30 mph with mine on.

They are not just for winter time. You can use them to get though the mud. I use mine to pull fire wood, snowmobile trailers, hunting. My truck will pull like a bulldozer with chains on

 

Sweet, thanks for the good info! Rep coming your way.

 

Diamond patterns are great for rugged terrain with lots of debris such as rocks and wood and side hill conditions.
.V bars help get a bite in ice or hard snowpack.
The cable chains are only good for new snow and ice on pavement up to a a few inches of snow..but allow slghtly faster speeds and less vibration and recomended on hiway tread tires.(regular chains need shoulder lugs to grab to keep from spinning on the tire).
smaller diameter chains will be less vibration and good for hiway use.
Off road you need the heavier (larger) diameter chains.And need all terrain or m/s tread tires to hold the chains from slipping or you will tear up your sidewalls.
I have tore up several of those light duty chains in the mountains trying to pull out somebody else or while pulling a trailer..Choose the conditions you will most likely be using the chains in and go from there..
Also going down to the local tire and automotive stores and asking questions will give you some perspective and answers. I actually own several sets of chains of various styles for my rig..
I also use the rubber tensioners and tie the excess links with wire to the chains on the tire, so they don't sling out and beat the fender wells.

 

Thanks Flame that's good info! I didn't even know they could spin on the tire. Rep coming your way too.

 

I do a lot of ice fishing in the winter, and a set of v-bars on the rear will get you though an AMAZING amount of ice and snow.

And I've got a set of these SCC Super Z LTs for the front, but they don't get used as often. These are a nice low-profile chain that minimizes the possibility experiencing clearance issues (catching brake lines, etc) while turning.

I don't chain up the front very often.

 

I would get a set of chains as you have to carry them in a lot of places. But i would be surprised if you will actually need them. We snowmobile and snowboard here in the pacific northwest where the snow is more slippery than most places and have never needed them with 4 wheel drive and taking it slow and easy. Snowbin very cold weather like where i grew up in michigan UP has very good traction.

 

Just adding a little more information. It is not uncommon for new users to not get the chains tight on initall install..So after you drive ahead say 20-100' stop and retighten if loose on the tires. After you have installed them several times you will get better at it.

 

n the picture you can see where the springs have pulled the siderails in. this is USELESS these chains are not tight. the cams should be opened up, then the end boomer retightened, then tighten the cams. nope chains don't spin on the tire if they are tight enough. little trick to those cams, put the tool in apply moderate pressure and then tap the cam around with a small hammer. you don't twist the tool to bits and you can get them way tighter. def retighten after a couple 100 feet. if anything put a bungee cord to pull the 2 ends together then when you move any slack works to the end and you can take out the slack with the end boomer

 

Chains are not something that you learn in the middle of a storm. Practice at home when its dry!
Make sure you carry good gloves, old clothes, a good jack and some blocks. The last time I had to chain up I was in mud and couldn't move to wrap the chains. You then have to jack the wheel up to get the chain around and if you are in soft mud or snow you need a firm base for the jack (18 inches of 2x6 is a start). You might also want to throw in a large heavy plastic bag to put the chains in when you take them off, they will be dirty.

 

Get an old .50cal. ammo can or two to put the chains in when not in use, I have the V-bars for my 37's @ all 4 corners.....takes just 1 ammo can. Also, take them out to clean and dry them up when you get home and soak them and the inside of the ammo can with WD40.

 

X-2 .Use a paint pen to mark on the outside of the can what size chains are inside. Very handy way to stack and store....