Towing with chains?!
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2008
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Towing with chains?!
My 5er is right at 10K. Plenty of weight over the axle. F350 Crew 4X4 with newish mud & snows. I'm in 6 - 12" of snow . . . and one set of chains.
Should I chain the front, or rear tires for maximum traction?
Should I chain the front, or rear tires for maximum traction?
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 136
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From: Seattle & Surprise, AZ
If you are in OR you need two sets of chains. One for the truck and the other for the 5er. The truck gets the rear tires and the 5er gets the front. If your state does not have a law, I would say on the truck rear wheels where the weight is. Jiust my $.02.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,741
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Actually, if OR enforces it's chain law on ALL combination vehicles like they do Big Rigs, BOTH tractor (truck) axles should have chains (steer AND drive) and at least one chain on the trailer (called a "drag chain" by some folks).
-blaine
-blaine
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
I've never seen an 18wheeler use chains on the steer axle. Chains on all drives (outers only are ok on a dually) and one set of drag chains on the trailer.
Last winter I worked at a truck shop that sent about 40 trips over Grant Pass, all trucks were equipped with two set for the truck, one set for the trailer. Usually the drag chains were cable chains, they seemed to work OK.
Last winter I worked at a truck shop that sent about 40 trips over Grant Pass, all trucks were equipped with two set for the truck, one set for the trailer. Usually the drag chains were cable chains, they seemed to work OK.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,741
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What was I thinking? Of course, I haven't been to OR in years.
-blaine
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 585
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Not to confuse the issue, but 18 wheelers don't have driven front axles like a 4x4 pickup, so it's still a valid question.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,627
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From: West Valley Utah
When the chain law is in effect and when you feel you need to use chains, you should put chains on the drive axle and on the trailer axle that has brakes. If the trailer has no brakes, chains are not required.
Note: every state is not the same but in the western states it seems that most follow California's rules with chains. Cable chains are ok for cars and light trucks.
The chain law for semi's in most states require a set of doubles on the drive axle, singles on the second axle and singles on the trailer.
Note: every state is not the same but in the western states it seems that most follow California's rules with chains. Cable chains are ok for cars and light trucks.
The chain law for semi's in most states require a set of doubles on the drive axle, singles on the second axle and singles on the trailer.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
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From: Atlanta GA
> rear tires for maximum traction
I would chain the rear drive axle first, BUT, I would put cables on the front axle too. One of the main reasons for you is being able to steer going downhill in 4x4. If you hit ice going downhill while towing, without cables or chains, your steering will not mean squat.
The other thing is if you hit a snow bank by sliding off the crown of the road, you really want something aggressive on the front axle, where most of the weight is, to get you out. I would not put chains on the front axle though, too rough and too much of a chance taking out a brake line. Cables are fine though.
I would chain the rear drive axle first, BUT, I would put cables on the front axle too. One of the main reasons for you is being able to steer going downhill in 4x4. If you hit ice going downhill while towing, without cables or chains, your steering will not mean squat.
The other thing is if you hit a snow bank by sliding off the crown of the road, you really want something aggressive on the front axle, where most of the weight is, to get you out. I would not put chains on the front axle though, too rough and too much of a chance taking out a brake line. Cables are fine though.
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