Tire chains on trailers
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,577
Likes: 58
Tire chains on trailers
Has anyone ever used tire chains on trailer axles in the winter?
I'm thinking a set of diamond style chains on 1 axle would be nice to have - the diamond pattern to give more restraint to the trailer wanting to slide out to the side (no need for cross chains, really - no drive axles on a trailer).
In the link is what I am thinking.
https://tirechain.com/p225-75r15-p22...ains-set-of-2/
We have an event towards the end of January I'll need the trailer for and the weather mostly won't matter. I don't have my truck for a while so I need to think ahead and and have a plan with the trailer. I've used chains with the truck before, and would carry them all winter just-in-case, and they make a significant difference. I'm doing the same with the SUV we're using.
I'm thinking a set of diamond style chains on 1 axle would be nice to have - the diamond pattern to give more restraint to the trailer wanting to slide out to the side (no need for cross chains, really - no drive axles on a trailer).
In the link is what I am thinking.
https://tirechain.com/p225-75r15-p22...ains-set-of-2/
We have an event towards the end of January I'll need the trailer for and the weather mostly won't matter. I don't have my truck for a while so I need to think ahead and and have a plan with the trailer. I've used chains with the truck before, and would carry them all winter just-in-case, and they make a significant difference. I'm doing the same with the SUV we're using.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 10,157
Likes: 8,003
From: Texas
Has anyone ever used tire chains on trailer axles in the winter?
I'm thinking a set of diamond style chains on 1 axle would be nice to have - the diamond pattern to give more restraint to the trailer wanting to slide out to the side (no need for cross chains, really - no drive axles on a trailer).
In the link is what I am thinking.
https://tirechain.com/p225-75r15-p22...ains-set-of-2/
We have an event towards the end of January I'll need the trailer for and the weather mostly won't matter. I don't have my truck for a while so I need to think ahead and and have a plan with the trailer. I've used chains with the truck before, and would carry them all winter just-in-case, and they make a significant difference. I'm doing the same with the SUV we're using.
I'm thinking a set of diamond style chains on 1 axle would be nice to have - the diamond pattern to give more restraint to the trailer wanting to slide out to the side (no need for cross chains, really - no drive axles on a trailer).
In the link is what I am thinking.
https://tirechain.com/p225-75r15-p22...ains-set-of-2/
We have an event towards the end of January I'll need the trailer for and the weather mostly won't matter. I don't have my truck for a while so I need to think ahead and and have a plan with the trailer. I've used chains with the truck before, and would carry them all winter just-in-case, and they make a significant difference. I'm doing the same with the SUV we're using.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,521
Likes: 412
From: Washington Coast
Like Don says you should only drive in bad weather when you have to. Chains might get you there but it'll be a greatly reduced speed and all the vibration will start to wear on you. I've been caught by storms both with and without chains and been sent back to town because it just wasn't safe.
That being said I've had to put drag chains on one axle of my old travel trailer as when the chain law was in effect in Oregon coming up to Siskiyou Summit every trailer had to have them or you had to go back. Didn't matter if you had chains on the towing vehicle or not.
Your choice in chains sounds good also. How big and heavy is the trailer is one big question I have.
That being said I've had to put drag chains on one axle of my old travel trailer as when the chain law was in effect in Oregon coming up to Siskiyou Summit every trailer had to have them or you had to go back. Didn't matter if you had chains on the towing vehicle or not.
Your choice in chains sounds good also. How big and heavy is the trailer is one big question I have.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,577
Likes: 58
The SUV is actually very good in winter weather. I've been more than impressed with it in past years. Without chains I would trust it as much, or more, than my F350. The concern I have in winter conditions is the trailer wanting to slide around and pass the tow vehicle, which would obviously drag the tow vehicle around too.
The truck chains are just cross chains and I have never had an issue with sliding sideways with them on, but those chains are thick heavy service ones. I could potentially run similar on the trailer, but I am not seeing any like that and like I said before - there is no drive axle involved so having the diamond pattern would give more restraint to the sideways sliding than just cross chains.
FTE Community Team
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 10,745
Likes: 1,498
I definitely see the value of chains to keep the trailer lined up behind the tow vehicle. Trailer brakes are going to be interesting. You might find that the tires want to skid in one position or another, I'd suspect when the diamond is around the contact patch. For this, you might want to find a setting with your brake controller that is a little less aggressive than normal so they don't end up locked up a lot. If they do lock up, that could start your trailer sideways even with chains.
Maybe when you get to the snow/ice/misery/etc., pull off and find a low-traffic area to test and see what brake controller setting gives the best results.
It also depends on where you'll be doing this towing. I've towed pretty heavy over the Rockies and through a bunch of Western states in snow/ice/misery/etc. and never put chains on my trailer. So far so good, but a lot of factors go into that claim.
Maybe when you get to the snow/ice/misery/etc., pull off and find a low-traffic area to test and see what brake controller setting gives the best results.
It also depends on where you'll be doing this towing. I've towed pretty heavy over the Rockies and through a bunch of Western states in snow/ice/misery/etc. and never put chains on my trailer. So far so good, but a lot of factors go into that claim.
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 385
Likes: 116
From: Full time RVer
I have run drag chains on the big rigs off highway in the oil patch. I think your choice would be OK. Best option is to stay home when it is that bad! Seriously. The only times I EVER ran chains on highway was to get someplace where I was safe, and stay put until conditions improved.
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