Question about tire chains
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Gig Em, Tx
Question about tire chains
Going hunting in Colorado and was wondering when I get tire chains do I need chains for all four tires for my truck, just front, just back? Not sure what's minimally needed.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2013
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Well Gig'um, I don't and have never run chains. I have travel cross country thru snow storms that put most folks in a motel and just sitting in a truck stop. No secret I just invest in good quality off road tires. There are many, but I have run Goodyear MTR's and BFG KM2's, there are others and prob some of the other folks on here have some exp with them.
4WD, good tires and a tire gage so you can let some air out for the real extreme travel and you should be able to go anywhere you want.
Back in the mid 80's, winter of '85 IIRC, I 70 was closed going thru Co and I 70 was shut down, in fact most of Co, Kansas, Tenn was closed all the way into Va. I was going from Seattle to Hampton Roads Va on a deadline, me 4wd and a set of Goodyears, Had to talk my way onto I 70 the Hwy Patrol was there and when I told him I came in from the N thru the mountains he waved me thru. and I made it on time but saw a LOT of big rigs and cars in the median all the way to the Appalachian mountains. Lanes blocked everywhere but they let me pass after I told them where I started and how I got there.
4WD, good tires and a tire gage so you can let some air out for the real extreme travel and you should be able to go anywhere you want.
Back in the mid 80's, winter of '85 IIRC, I 70 was closed going thru Co and I 70 was shut down, in fact most of Co, Kansas, Tenn was closed all the way into Va. I was going from Seattle to Hampton Roads Va on a deadline, me 4wd and a set of Goodyears, Had to talk my way onto I 70 the Hwy Patrol was there and when I told him I came in from the N thru the mountains he waved me thru. and I made it on time but saw a LOT of big rigs and cars in the median all the way to the Appalachian mountains. Lanes blocked everywhere but they let me pass after I told them where I started and how I got there.
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Here's what I found online... depends on the code issued, but it only mentions 2wd passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles.
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/csp/trucki70
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/sit...quirements.pdf
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/csp/trucki70
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/sit...quirements.pdf
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Gig Em, Tx
Didn't think about laws requiring chains and penalties for getting your dumb *** stuck and impeding other drivers. Thanks Fatoldguy. Still wondering though, if I have a pair of chains, am in 4wd, should I chain up front tires or back if needed?
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Georgia
Question about tire chains
Try www.vulcantire.com they have a great chain/cable selection. I prefer cables. We use the heavy duty ones on our med units. In our ice, most of us use on the rear, however some use on right rear and left front.
Logistics Pro
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Gig, unless you think you will encounter ice, where nothing beats chains, good tires will do you better than chains in the long run in snow, mud and off pavement.
Most folks put chains on all of the driven wheels, so if you have 4wd and want to keep you slick tires then go with chains all around...
Most folks put chains on all of the driven wheels, so if you have 4wd and want to keep you slick tires then go with chains all around...
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Gig Em, Tx
Gig, unless you think you will encounter ice, where nothing beats chains, good tires will do you better than chains in the long run in snow, mud and off pavement.
Most folks put chains on all of the driven wheels, so if you have 4wd and want to keep you slick tires then go with chains all around...
Most folks put chains on all of the driven wheels, so if you have 4wd and want to keep you slick tires then go with chains all around...
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Wasaga Beach, ON
Go to the bottom of this page. If you have new DTracs and 4x4 then you're good to go.
https://www.codot.gov/travel/winter-driving
https://www.codot.gov/travel/winter-driving
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Gig Em, Tx
Go to the bottom of this page. If you have new DTracs and 4x4 then you're good to go.
https://www.codot.gov/travel/winter-driving
https://www.codot.gov/travel/winter-driving
Logistics Pro
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Chains are your best friend in ice, but other than that you becomes a matter of CoF (co-efficient of friction). Chains are going to give you about 12 lateral chains on a tire of your size. That is 12 friction points across the tire. The Druatrac is going to provide well over 100 traction blocks and you can run down the highway on the way to Co at 75 mph, not gonna do that with chains. Chains are made well today, but back in the 50's/60's chains coming lose was a common occurrence and when they did they did a LOT of damage before you got the vehicle stopped. So it become a put-on/take-off scenario if that is a factor for you.
Neither chains or proper tires are magic nor will do anything other then give you a large safety envelope, its your driving that determines the final outcome.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Gig Em, Tx
The GY Dt is a GREAT tire. They are a top rated winter traction tire also.
Chains are your best friend in ice, but other than that you becomes a matter of CoF (co-efficient of friction). Chains are going to give you about 12 lateral chains on a tire of your size. That is 12 friction points across the tire. The Druatrac is going to provide well over 100 traction blocks and you can run down the highway on the way to Co at 75 mph, not gonna do that with chains. Chains are made well today, but back in the 50's/60's chains coming lose was a common occurrence and when they did they did a LOT of damage before you got the vehicle stopped. So it become a put-on/take-off scenario if that is a factor for you.
Neither chains or proper tires are magic nor will do anything other then give you a large safety envelope, its your driving that determines the final outcome.
Chains are your best friend in ice, but other than that you becomes a matter of CoF (co-efficient of friction). Chains are going to give you about 12 lateral chains on a tire of your size. That is 12 friction points across the tire. The Druatrac is going to provide well over 100 traction blocks and you can run down the highway on the way to Co at 75 mph, not gonna do that with chains. Chains are made well today, but back in the 50's/60's chains coming lose was a common occurrence and when they did they did a LOT of damage before you got the vehicle stopped. So it become a put-on/take-off scenario if that is a factor for you.
Neither chains or proper tires are magic nor will do anything other then give you a large safety envelope, its your driving that determines the final outcome.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Edmonton Alberta
If the snow gets deep enough duratracks alone will not get you thru it. You can ask me how I know on that one......
To actually answer your question .... the rear tires. Chain up the rears gets me thru pretty much anything. If I have to chain up the fronts and lock the front axle it's pretty nasty.
To actually answer your question .... the rear tires. Chain up the rears gets me thru pretty much anything. If I have to chain up the fronts and lock the front axle it's pretty nasty.
