No chains.....really?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 123
From: Maryland
Only time I've needed chains in PA is going to our cabin near Raystown lake and then over to Blue Know for skiing. Both require travel on non-maintained roads.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,687
Likes: 12,812
From: Wyoming
In the 16 years I've been in Colorado and a good number of years before that in Wyoming I've had to chain up only once. But it's better to be prepared and be mobile than unprepared and stuck.
If I was towing heavy and chains were required I would have to think twice about that. It seems like that might really tear up the rear tires.
I have pulled somewhat heavy over mountain passes in the winter. What I found was that the extra weight on the rear end greatly increased traction and reduced my need to be in 4x4 mode. While most of the other vehicles in my group had shifted to 4x4 long ago I was still in 4x2 until I had to pass some knucklehead that was holding up traffic.
If I was towing heavy and chains were required I would have to think twice about that. It seems like that might really tear up the rear tires.
I have pulled somewhat heavy over mountain passes in the winter. What I found was that the extra weight on the rear end greatly increased traction and reduced my need to be in 4x4 mode. While most of the other vehicles in my group had shifted to 4x4 long ago I was still in 4x2 until I had to pass some knucklehead that was holding up traffic.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 781
Likes: 6
From: Edmonton Alberta Canada
Seeing you all post about snow and chains is like me commenting on air conditioning in Canada. I am sure that comment will not win me any votes lol but makes me chuckle.
I have only seen chains in true off-road non maintained snowed in locations. Heavy haulers and loaders often have them in thick mud. The type that goes over your running boards.
To each their own. I drive ice/winter roads more often then run AC. I can see the chains making a mess of the rims but would assume you have winter tires and possibly winter rims first.
I have only seen chains in true off-road non maintained snowed in locations. Heavy haulers and loaders often have them in thick mud. The type that goes over your running boards.
To each their own. I drive ice/winter roads more often then run AC. I can see the chains making a mess of the rims but would assume you have winter tires and possibly winter rims first.
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More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 698
Likes: 4
From: Rural Northern California
I hear ya Sleepy.
I live in a small town where we get a lot of retired folks moving in from Southern CA and the San Francisco Bay Area with absolutely no snow driving experience.
We sometimes go a year or two with almost no snow and other years we are under several 3 foot snow falls. When it snows here you would think the world is coming to an end. It's really comical to see the panic the ensues.
When Hwy 80's Donner Summit is under state mandated chain controls those towing trailers must have both trailer and truck chained. That's about the only time I have chained my truck.
My buddy from Ohio gets a good laugh when he sees my box of chains in the garage, wants to know if I use them for an anchor.
I live in a small town where we get a lot of retired folks moving in from Southern CA and the San Francisco Bay Area with absolutely no snow driving experience.
We sometimes go a year or two with almost no snow and other years we are under several 3 foot snow falls. When it snows here you would think the world is coming to an end. It's really comical to see the panic the ensues.
When Hwy 80's Donner Summit is under state mandated chain controls those towing trailers must have both trailer and truck chained. That's about the only time I have chained my truck.
My buddy from Ohio gets a good laugh when he sees my box of chains in the garage, wants to know if I use them for an anchor.
New User
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
I never signed anything when I got mine about chains. Seems a bit strange to me.
I carry a set with me (type s aren't much thicker then the cable varieties that I can't stand anyways) and I have the 20 inch rims. Haven't had to use them yet and generally they are only for if the full chain law goes into effect and I can't avoid it. If I need them, will likely be going far to slow to cause any damage.
My 14 f150 had the same thing stated in the user manual for 18 inch rims. Carried a set for that too.
I carry a set with me (type s aren't much thicker then the cable varieties that I can't stand anyways) and I have the 20 inch rims. Haven't had to use them yet and generally they are only for if the full chain law goes into effect and I can't avoid it. If I need them, will likely be going far to slow to cause any damage.
My 14 f150 had the same thing stated in the user manual for 18 inch rims. Carried a set for that too.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 812
Likes: 4
We never have mandatory chain requirements in Alaska and I've only ever used chains on a highway once, and it wasn't on my 2017 superduty. However, my chains get used for some back road adventures in the winter once we have a solid layer of ice on the roads on the way to our cabin in the caribou hills. There have been times in the past where people have traveled back into their cabins, then weather warms up and the roads ice over. There are hills and tight turns and even studded tires just won't don't it sometimes. These people can end up stranded. A couple years ago, my F150 pulled 4 pickups up one hill including a dually dodge and a mid 2000's F350. I was only able to do that because of chains. And the 3 times I used them this last winter heading to the cabin and back in the new 2017 F350 with 20" wheels, I did at least 40 miles and have absolutely zero tire wear evidence and not a ding or scratch on the wheels.
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More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 698
Likes: 4
From: Rural Northern California
Paddles. They are fantastic on my KTM.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 6,840
Likes: 4,131
From: Jacksonville
I lock it in 4WD. It gets real entertaining when the folks that drove their cars or minivans out on the beach at low tide try to leave when the tide has covered up all that hard stuff they drove in on.