For the very first time last night I was able to try out my Z chain snow cables on my dually E-350.

For years, I had a second set of real snow tires when the van was just a single rear wheel drive. When I converted it to dually (8 years ago?), I didn't want the expense (and storage) of another set of 4 dually rims and tires so I bought snow cables instead.

Last night we went out to dinner thinking we'd be home long before the snow came. Seems the chef had another idea and it was the longest meal service that I have ever been to. By the time we finished (2.5 hours), roads were well covered, slick, and untreated for the most part. If I had attempted travel without cables I would still be sliding home. It was about a 30 mile trip.

I cabled up just the outside tires (I don't have dually cables) and we set off. They are very, very noisy when striking payment and vibrate the van very badly. But, that's a small price to pay for sound piece of mind. The deeper the snow the better they were for noise and vibration. When traveling on untraveled roads they were perfect. I found between 25-35 MPH was the tolerable driving speed but went faster on the more snow covered roads.

Normally, this van will get stuck at the slightest mention of snow. We've gotten stuck in parking lots and our driveway with it so we don't drive it when it's going to snow. Not this time. I was unbelievablely impressed, hills, turning, stopping, all seemed to work great. I was so impressed that I took it out again later that night instead of the car because it just marched through the snow without any problems.

I went with cables instead of chains because they are easier to handle and put on in my opinion. We keep them in a box in the back of the van along with the trailer hitches so they are always with us.

Since I have a dually, it would have been easier if I had a block of wood to drive the inner tire up on and cable up the outer tire while it was suspensed off of the the road. Seems someone moved my block so that was a little bit difficult. I just drove onto the cables instead.

Just wanted to share this with all you van owners. No more doughnuts while driving, just straight forward travel.

 

I got a 250 foot driveway at steep angle to drive up to, and down from. Once in a while I would snap a cable from spinning but after buying cables 2-3 times I learned which ones work best. I have to admit that even with chains, tires still play a major role in traction.

 

While I understand that there are some good reasons for a Dually conversion, I think it contributes to poor handling in slippery. conditions. Have you ever considered installing a Limited Slip differential?

With an LSD and All Terrain tires, my van is a Tiger in the snow.

 

Question's. Where/who did you go through for your dually conversion. I'm considering the same for my 2000 E250 Quigley conversion. Do you tow? If so, does the dual rear make it more stable with a heavy load behind? What are, if any, the negative factors to having dually's on a van.

Thank's, Jim

 

Mileage takes a drastic hit, for one.

 

How so. Is it just to move the additional weight?

 

Mileage suffers because you have more unsprung weight and greater rolling resistance.

Duals, however, make a huge difference in stability when towing a heavy load.

 

I am surprised that you have problems getting around in the snow. I'd much rather drive a van in the snow than a truck. I've read that dual wheels are usually not very good for driving on slippery roads. I wonder why that is. I saw a truck the other day that had some strap-like things on his tires. He was stopped at a light, so I didn't get a really close look, but they looked like the same material cargo straps are made out of. I've never seen that type of "tire chain" before. Maybe he made them himself?

The noise and vibration would get on my nerves, but I guess it's much better than getting stuck. That block is a really good idea. I've heard of those dually conversions but never have seen one in person. Got any pics?

 

Rico, just google it, you'll find a site that sells dually conversion kits.

 

The van was terrrible with SRW in the snow. But, I could easily throw on some tires to assist it along during the winter. Since conversion, I didn't want to spend the extra money to get another 4 tires and 4 rims. The snow cables did the trick and I am quite happy with them.

 

I did not notice any different in fuel consumption. 10 MPG before, 10 MPG afterwards. The rolling resistance, if you do the calculation, is actually nearly the same, each tire has considerably less rubber on the ground. When it comes to changing tires, I replace the fronts twice as often as the rears. The rears are literally carrying half the load as the SRW. The van is wider so you are breaking more air.

As for towing, I do tow but nothing big. Typically only single axel 1-1.5 ton trailers. Since you are distributing weight over 4 rears tires instead of two, there is less side wall flex which aids in stability.

I did look into a posi rear differential at one point but did not pursue it on the van. I had posi on a truck and enjoyed it quite a bit. It was quite interesting watching both rear wheels spin at the same time.

The dually conversion was a kit consisting of two billets that are mounted on the existing bolts which provides for an additional 5.5" offset. The new rims then mount to the new studs on the billet. The fenders came from a place called "Adventure Vans", nothing to do with my username. The don't advertise selling them, I called them up. They modify vans for their rental fleet.

The dually kit does not add additional weight capability to the van. It's still the same axel.

The whole reason for duallies is to prevent rollovers. It was done because of the Youth Ministry I was involved with. I have pictures of the installation on my photo gallery.

 

256/75-16 BFG A/T on my E350 and snow... I laugh at it.
and I'm only srw rwd

 

Bbasso,

I'm running 265/75 16's as well. Did you lift the front any for them to fit? I'm running Nitto A\T'ds and love them. I was going to go with BFG A/T's but was affraid they would be a little noisy. The Nitto's were also on sale when i bought them so that helped my descission.

 

fit right in with the slightest rubbing on the rear fenders, hardly even worth mentioning...
Stock suspension with Bilstiens.
I got them installed from discount tire for $650.
Very quiet ride from the tires... straight pipe exhaust is also quiet, actually the van is rather quiet once at a cruising speed.