Tire chains?
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From: Prince George
Tire chains?
I have a F350 c/c 4x4 L/B 6.0 and I just got a set of v-bar tire chains. I put them on the rear and tried them out in about 8" of snow and ice I found they did help over no chains just in 4x4, but with no weight in the back it bounced a fair amount. Would it be better to put them on the front and have them pull me through stuff being as there is way more weight on the front end? I would only be going a short way down some old skid trails to fetch firewood and would be crawling at a couple MPH.
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From: Lower Hudson Valley, N.Y.
As long as you have the clearance, you could put them up there. What year is the truck? Do you have leaf springs up front? The chains sling outward as they spin. Biggest problem will be a broken link though. How rough is the skid trail? Do you stand a good chance of breaking a link?
I think I'd stay with them in the rear. You'll get through a lot of **it with the chains on the rear.
Just my thoughts. Good luck.
Later...
Brewster...
I think I'd stay with them in the rear. You'll get through a lot of **it with the chains on the rear.
Just my thoughts. Good luck.
Later...
Brewster...
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From: Prince George
I would be crawling through this trail. No real chance of spinning the chains at the speed I would go. I don't think I would give it enough to break a link. The trail has one rough spot about 30 feet long can't get through it in the summer too muddy ruts about a foot and a half deep, but now it's frozen I could sneak through I will only be going about 200 yards down this trail. The biggest question was will I get better traction with the weight from the front of the truck? Or should I just keep them on the rear? I have also heard you can run one chain on the front drivers side to help with steering.
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From: Snohomish, WA
If I have only one set of chains I put 'em on the front. Thats is where MOST of the weight is, most of your stopping power is in the front and I like to be able to steer. It also allows you to power through the turn and "pull" your truck where you want it to go. I have chains on front and the outside duals on my F450 right now, works best.
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The only reason to ever put chains on front is if your plow is pushing you off track and you lack traction at the front axle to correct. I see some idiots in places where it rarely snows running chains in front- and it is always a bad idea for one reason:
1- the most important thing tire chains offer you on a truck is the capacity to stop. When you place the chains in front you compromise your ability to stop at speed because any off-center movement will set your truck up to spin under breaking.
You mentioned firewood- Put the chains where they belong- on back. You will have plenty of traction to get where you are going and when you are loaded, you will have a much better set-up than you would with only chains on front.
-m
1- the most important thing tire chains offer you on a truck is the capacity to stop. When you place the chains in front you compromise your ability to stop at speed because any off-center movement will set your truck up to spin under breaking.
You mentioned firewood- Put the chains where they belong- on back. You will have plenty of traction to get where you are going and when you are loaded, you will have a much better set-up than you would with only chains on front.
-m
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From: Snohomish, WA
I disagree, you can't steer because you are on the brakes and the front tires are sliding. I countersteer to avoid spinning out but as I said, I put 'em on BOTH ends.
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From: Alaska
I put the chains on the front one time in my life and will never do it again. Snowy mountain road, 35mph, touched the brakes and the rear became the front. I'll never ever EVER do that again. Ever.
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From: Prince George
Well this old skid trail is only 100 yards from my drive way and 200 yards to the trees I want for firewood so it's not like I will be stranded so I am going to try both methods. The trail is almost flat and easy going once I get passed the rutted spot. The only problem I may have is getting stuck back there and at -35 celcius I may have a hard time starting my diesel if I have to shut it down for too long. I'll let you know how I make out, thanks for your help guys.
Note: come tax return time I am buying a 15,000 lb. winch for the truck!
Note: come tax return time I am buying a 15,000 lb. winch for the truck!
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From: Bethel,Ak
Have run chains all the way around many times. Run chains on the front when bucking lots of snow. On pavement when it is really icy dad and i have run them on the front.
When on pavement just drive slow under 40 mph and have weight in the back.
You will be fine where you are going with them on the front.
Make sure you have the chains on tight and have tensioners on to keep them tight.
Ask any person that lives in snow and they will say they have run them on the front.
Ranchers and farmers especially. Also people that do not live near pavement.
When on pavement just drive slow under 40 mph and have weight in the back.
You will be fine where you are going with them on the front.
Make sure you have the chains on tight and have tensioners on to keep them tight.
Ask any person that lives in snow and they will say they have run them on the front.
Ranchers and farmers especially. Also people that do not live near pavement.
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From: Minnesota
Cable chains will work good on front when used in snow (as previous posts said).
I wouldn't use chains on front as the brake hose clearance would be tight and any slack could leave you with a mess aka (stranded).
Any cross link chain will do great on rear and will bite in the ice.
I wouldn't use chains on front as the brake hose clearance would be tight and any slack could leave you with a mess aka (stranded).
Any cross link chain will do great on rear and will bite in the ice.
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