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I've never used snow chains and there doesn't seem to be enough room on the front tires but plenty of space on the rear im running 295/65/20 with a leveling kit . Is it okay to run them only on the rear only I don't see having much snow but I believe better to be safe than sorry all input and advice greatly appreciated. thanks you all ..-4 wheel drive of course with locking differential
Where are you that you are thinking of using chains? Just curious...
Have you thought about running severe snow rated tires? - Also, if you can, studded snow tires. You know that with chains you are limited to 30 mph? and enjoy being able to drive over 30 mph...
So far, I have found that 4WD helps me get going in the nasty stuff - although leave PLENTY of room for the stopping part. and that is with the stock M+S michelins and I Live in Alaska.
I live in Washington State planning on going to Mount Hood or Timberline Lodge where it snowing later on I have on toyo At2 extremes much deeper tread they are not snow peak rated but M/S rated. Nothing real severe I would just rather be safe than sorry and I have not driven this truck in the snow I have the same tires on my F150 same size same everything no real issues the most no I took it and was about 6 inches to 10 inches last year with the F-150
. This is what Toyo says about them and this is just the regular at2 might hurt the extreme so they have the deeper bite.
Have you thought about cables instead of chains? Some of the cables fit a lot tighter to the wheel/tire and can clear areas where chains can't. I've never been in over 20" of snow and that was so dry I really didn't need 4wd, but some of you guys up north are used to dealing with this every year and multiple times each year, what is your take on cables vs chains? I do know that you can get the cables that are specifically made to clear ABS sensors too. May be worth a shot.
I live in Montana and travel through the mountain passes regularly. I carry a set of cable chains for my stock size 20s. I have never needed to use them but I like having them just in case. For installation, chains (cable or real chains) are intended to be run on rear tires only with or without 4wd engaged or on all 4 tires if necessary. 4wd must be engaged if running chains all the way around. Never put chains on front tires only. It severely affects steering--the front leads but the rear doesn't always follow.
Cable vs chain: chains provide better traction than cables but cables require less clearance (factory mud flaps won't work even with cables), are lighter, easier to store and install.
Years ago when I had a two wheel drive truck in Montana, I carried and used real chains. I don't treat the new beast like it is a Jeep and I don't use it as a plow truck so cables suit my needs. Besides installing them for practice, they have never been used. FWIW, I went with Laclede cable chains.
The few people I have talked to about cables vs. chains all say "chains". Granted my sample size was not that big.
Interesting information Bob. Thanks for sharing it - you are adding to my knowledge base as well. I do see rear chains only on UPS/Fedex delivery trucks here.
I really want someone unbiased to tell me what they think of the autosock. Someone that has USED it. They have low clearance requirements - granted the same 30 mph speed limit applies to them as well.
The only youtube videos I see are either manufacturer sponsored or retailer sponsored - and while potentially valuable, not really conflict of interest free... About the same price as chains/cables, but don't last as long. However, they need less space to store are lighter, and supposedly a whole lot easier to install.
Bohen, you scare me with snow driving in 4x4 and locked differentials. Death on a stick mate. The WA mountain passes get littered with spun out 4x4s that try it, especially over 30 mph. All F250s I've had before this one were 4x4, good for breaking loose from snow/ whatever, then I'd go back to 2wd to climb the pass. I've always carried cables, maybe once actually used them. Good to keep on hand though. Good tires cover most road situations.
When in Anchorage AK, on roads, I don't remember seeing anyone chained up. Studs, sure. Out west on the islands, chains or cables don't exist, and most people's 4x4 hasn't worked in a decade.
4x4 at speed is very actively debated, but please don't lock up unless it's just to bust out of something.
Bohen, you scare me with snow driving in 4x4 and locked differentials. Death on a stick mate. The WA mountain passes get littered with spun out 4x4s that try it, especially over 30 mph. All F250s I've had before this one were 4x4, good for breaking loose from snow/ whatever, then I'd go back to 2wd to climb the pass. I've always carried cables, maybe once actually used them. Good to keep on hand though. Good tires cover most road situations.
When in Anchorage AK, on roads, I don't remember seeing anyone chained up. Studs, sure. Out west on the islands, chains or cables don't exist, and most people's 4x4 hasn't worked in a decade.
4x4 at speed is very actively debated, but please don't lock up unless it's just to bust out of something.
thank you I don't plan on using the Locking diff I was just saying that my truck has the option and I have really good all terrain tires so it should be fine I was just trying to think outside of the box just in case I have to be stuck inside the Box but thank you again
Better to have them and not need them than need them and not have them.
I'm in the Colorado and Wyoming mountains in the winter.
I carry cables chains in my 1/2 ton in the winter even though I also run ice/snow tires. Once you get deep, you need cables/chains. Mine will fit on both the front and rear but to be safe I would only run them on the rear unless I was stuck in a situation where the rear had no hope of traction and the fronts did. But if that was the case then I probably would be winching myself out anyhow.
Good thing you have the 2 version of those Toyos. I have the first version and do they ever suck in the snow.
Bohen, you scare me with snow driving in 4x4 and locked differentials. Death on a stick mate. The WA mountain passes get littered with spun out 4x4s that try it, especially over 30 mph. All F250s I've had before this one were 4x4, good for breaking loose from snow/ whatever, then I'd go back to 2wd to climb the pass. I've always carried cables, maybe once actually used them. Good to keep on hand though. Good tires cover most road situations.
When in Anchorage AK, on roads, I don't remember seeing anyone chained up. Studs, sure. Out west on the islands, chains or cables don't exist, and most people's 4x4 hasn't worked in a decade.
4x4 at speed is very actively debated, but please don't lock up unless it's just to bust out of something.
Having lived here for the past 3 years I only see 2wd (rwd) delivery vehicles with chains... You can't be locked up and driving over 20 mph on a 6.7 - as it automatically disengages... I find that locking up , even to get going doesn't help nearly as much as going into 4WD anyways... Although this one time, I needed BOTH 4WD and locking up to get going.
Aye, time and place for all things. For the mountains around here it is very common for folks that haven't ever dealt with ice and snow, which is not intuitive, to charge forth with the false sense of security of the locking diff 4x4. The results are painfully predictable.
As to the original question, I vote cables for the rears in case you need them. Always better to have than to need. I have no idea the best way for off-road, not my gig. Cheers and have fun!
Aye, time and place for all things. For the mountains around here it is very common for folks that haven't ever dealt with ice and snow, which is not intuitive, to charge forth with the false sense of security of the locking diff 4x4. The results are painfully predictable.
As to the original question, I vote cables for the rears in case you need them. Always better to have than to need. I have no idea the best way for off-road, not my gig. Cheers and have fun!
me my wife the kids have no plan for for off-roading is just going to wear the snow is and just having a little fun on the side but thank you everyone again
