I recently purchased a 94 F250 7.3IDI 4x4 that has a plow.

This winter in Maine is already a bear. Snow then rain then ice then snow (5 feet of snow so far this year)

On to my question:

Some of the tire chain sites recommend always to purchase 2 sets of chains (to cover all 4 wheels). This seems like overkill, but don't want to screw things up with the 4wd or my transmission with only going with the rear wheels on chains.

Thoughts?

I

 

Are you planning on doing a lot of pushing with just 1 set? I think as long as there is still slipage on the front you should be OK, if not beware.

 

#1 - Move South.

If #1 is impractical , ,

#2 - Yes, from what I have also read all four wheel is preferable on a 4x4.

. . of course, they have to be selected carefully or it'll get ugly the first time you turn the wheel near lock !!

HTH.

 

If you plan on plowing in Maine with your 4x4 you'll need to have all four tires chained up. Don't go cheap...

 

I use chains a lot and I swear by them. You don't "need" all 4. It won't hurt your truck to run just 2. I only have a pair, and I just run them on the front. This is because the front does most of the braking, steering, and acceleration (in 4wd). I have NEVER broke anything. As a word of caution, take it easy, or you could snap something. As far as the 4 chain thing, I would love to have another pair because with that much traction up front, the back suddenly feels like slicks. It will make your truck unstopable. For what you say you want to do, I would just buy a pair and slap them on the front. Ted

 

Ted, when you say putting chains on the front tires makes the truck unstoppable you mean you can't stop when you want to right? I put them on the front once in glare ice conditions, worked great for pulling cars up a hill. Then I took off down the road, got up to about 20mph, barely lifted my foot off the gas and the rear started coming around. Had to do a power u-turn to get stopped, lucky no one else was on the road. I bought another set of chains.

I might put them on the front out in the woods, slow speed, but never on the road.

 

I meant that it goes great. As far as the U-turn thing, that is very believable. Once the front gets that much traction, the back feels real loose. I have had good luck with only a pair, but would love all 4, just haven't broke down to buy them yet.

 

If it's a dedicated plow rig, get 2 sets, and load the bed down, you'll want all the traction you can get...

 

You may want to consider a set of Bridgestone Blizzaks. I ran em on a 2wd with such great luck that I just bought a set for my truck (the old ones were too small for the F250-- so they are on a friends new GMC now).
I spend a lot of time on the road in the winter and they are awesome especially on ice! They are the only 'good' winter tires that come in LT -- load range E. Supposedly out west the police will let you by when chains are required.
You can also use chains with em if you need to.
I did not get them till after the two big snows in Dec.... I predict a snow drought now.

 

I use the blizzaks who needs chains.....never needed them cause I'm all locked up...the ultimate plowing rig.....been plowing with all lockers for 7 years...never get stuck. If it gets nasty hug the shoulder and good to go..Blizzaks do work good on ice. So do chains I would do the rear with 1000 lbs min in the rear...


Dick

 

I'd go chains on all four. On my previous 4x4 I had chains on all four and it would plow through the snow, it was pretty impressive. On my Ranger, I only have one set, hoping to get another soon. I always put the chains on the back after giving it a little though. Chains on the front will work real nice going up hills, helping to pull the truck forward, while the rear will follow in the tracks. But imagine coming down a steep hill with chains on the front, the back would easily lose tractions and slide around trying to pass the front, just like what happened to Jackpine Savage. Even in 18" fresh snow, haven't needed to chain up to get the Ranger up into the mountain roads, but I usually put them on before I head back down. Makes the rig, and me, feel much more confident. Still nothing like chaining all four though.