I've got a 2000 crew cab with 235/85-16 tires. I'm heading up elk hunting and figure chains would be good insurance. I've seen a number of posts regarding S-class chains (which the owner's manual recommends). Is Ford just being cautious or am I headed for trouble if I go with standard chains? Does anyone have experience with this tire size? Is there any rule-of-thumb on amount of clearance that would allow standard chains?

 

The only thing I can say for that is to make sure that you get a set of chains for your tire size. Then after putting them on drive a 1/4 mile and stop to retighten them. You might even find it easier to jack up the truck and take the wheel off, mount the chains and put the wheel back on, then do the other side. Not as nasty that way. If you have a dually, make sure the chains will fit between the dualls BEFORE you go out. If you get them as tight as you can, a 1/4 mile later they'll be loose enough to get another link on them. Good luck
GOD BLESS AMERICA

 

i run these http://tirechain.com/HEAVYTRUCK.htm on 285/75-16 (much larger than your tires) and they are fine. i did bend the brake line bracket back a little on the fronts just to make sure there was plenty of clearence

 

I would also use chain tighteners, they seem to help keep the chains in place much longer.

 

I dont think you will have any clearance issues running heavy duty chains with 235s. I ran them on my 99 dually with out issues, I only put them on the front. I had a set of dually chains, but never needed them.

BTW Welcome to FTE!!!

 

AV has it right. Chain tighteners, (rubber snubber's) are the only way to go. Even with the proper sized chain there is always some slack in it. Put 3 snubber's on per wheel spaced out evenly and go easy for a few minutes and the chains will tighten up and conform to the wheel. I've chained up semi's and my pickups hundreds of times over the years and this way works great. I even use snubber's on cable chains.

 

I run V-bar chains, very aggressive chain and i use six rubber snubber, real short ones per wheel, the chains don't come loose.
would not suggest running them at any kind of speed though, only had to use them once to climb the hill/mountain to go home, mainly use them to pull SUV's out of ditch in my font yard.

 

Thanks for all the advice. This is a great site - I've found answers to all my previous questions just by searching previous posts. I finally had occasion to ask something.

 

I have a set of Peerless chains that I bought for a set of 31x10.5x16 a while back. According to Peerless, these will fit the 238x85x16 on my F250. The other day I decided to check the fit since we have seen some snow. I found that there is a lot of "extra" chain when I get them all tightened up. Basically it is the extra length as a result of the chains being "universal fit." Will the extra chain cause problems, i.e. slapping the rear brake assembly.

 

Wadesmith, cut off any extra chain. You can get all kinds of damage. Just think what a turbo powered weed eater can do!