Tire Chains - Snow in the Mountains - Yes You

[Special T]

Do you own a full size spare? Have some extra tools in the truck? A high lift jack? a come-a-long?  When going off into the snowy wild a pair of good link chains is one of the best investments you can make. They are not really that expensive, need nearly 0 maintance and work awesome.

I second putting them on in the dry driveway before you NEED to... Practice makes everything easier, especially when you get to do it once in ideal conditions.

3 rail chains work awesome on dually rigs. Mine is moslty a pavement pounder so i only have singles to get me over the pass.

[sakoshooter]

It was mentioned about using hog rings to tie down the loose ends of the chains. Good idea. This is important folks. I put the last eye of the chain on the adjuster along with the correct one to eliminate that loose end that can and will take off some chrome and the inside loose end will take care of your brake lines rather quickly.
Airing down is a good way to achieve more traction but is also hard on tires as it exposes the side walls to road hazards and does not even come close to the traction and control of chains.

[Special T]

Zip ties, Bailing wire, or some kind of small clevis also work well for securing the loose end. Also make sure that the chain tail is moving in the correct direction. As the tire rolls forward you want the chain tail to be in the opposite direction of the rotation.  I personally put the chains on drive 100 ft then tighten. the D cam locks wrk great because they reduce eliminate that step.  correct tension on link chains is EVERYTHING! too tight extra wear and possible damage to the tires, too loose they will spin and/or wipe stuff out.

[sakoshooter]

Zip ties, Bailing wire, or some kind of small clevis also work well for securing the loose end. Also make sure that the chain tail is moving in the correct direction. As the tire rolls forward you want the chain tail to be in the opposite direction of the rotation.  I personally put the chains on drive 100 ft then tighten. the D cam locks wrk great because they reduce eliminate that step.  correct tension on link chains is EVERYTHING! too tight extra wear and possible damage to the tires, too loose they will spin and/or wipe stuff out.

Good info Special T. I always pull ahead a ways and double check.
Another thing that hasn't been mentioned that I just thought of is that whichever link you put the adjuster into on the inside is the same link you'll need to put it into on the outside. Make them tight and even. Then attach your tighteners(bungees etc)if required. Most tire chains DO require some sort of tensioning system on the outside.
And, it's a lot easier to put them on prior to getting stuck in the middle of the rd or worse.

[buglebuster]

I have a question.  I have a set of chains for my old truck I never used, my new truck has a little bigger tires on it and the chains dont quite fit. Can I add links to them to make them fit?

[gasman]

I have a question.  I have a set of chains for my old truck I never used, my new truck has a little bigger tires on it and the chains dont quite fit. Can I add links to them to make them fit?

Yes, if you have the correct link/chains to add.

I have an old set I dismantled to have spare links, in case some break.
There is a tool out there specifically designed to work on tire chains but I cant find it any place and have not seen them in years 

[sakoshooter]

I have a question.  I have a set of chains for my old truck I never used, my new truck has a little bigger tires on it and the chains dont quite fit. Can I add links to them to make them fit?

Yes again. There are repair links available for purchase for repairing broken chains and remodeling. If you bought them from Les Schwaab, you can return them unused or get a credit toward the proper size. Always good to have a couple repair links to go along with the chains just in case.

[KFhunter]

you want tall narrow "pizza cutter" tires anyways

[buglebuster]

you want tall narrow "pizza cutter" tires anyways

Not in snow!

[Ridgeratt]

I have a question.  I have a set of chains for my old truck I never used, my new truck has a little bigger tires on it and the chains dont quite fit. Can I add links to them to make them fit?

Yes, if you have the correct link/chains to add.

I have an old set I dismantled to have spare links, in case some break.
There is a tool out there specifically designed to work on tire chains but I cant find it any place and have not seen them in years 

http://www.tirechain.com/g-tire-chain-pliers-7305.htm?gclid=CIGW2PLQvboCFSjZQgodB3QAAg

[Lingcod]

Good call Sako it's a good reminder. If you buy chains at Les Schwab and don't end up using them they will let you return them. Be prepared!

[KFhunter]

you want tall narrow "pizza cutter" tires anyways

Not in snow!

huh?

enlighten me please, I gotta hear this.

[jackelope]

I'm about positive you wont find a vehicle manufacturer say it is OK to use chains. They all say no chains. Its not just GM.

[buglebuster]

you want tall narrow "pizza cutter" tires anyways

Not in snow!

huh?

enlighten me please, I gotta hear this.

You dont want narrow tires in snow plain and simple. Wide tall tires are the way to go. The trick is to stay on top of the snow and not dig in, the second you start to dig in you are screwed. With narrow tires the weight of the rig isnt displaced over as large of area so you sink.  I have spent lots, and lots of time snow wheeling in 5ft + snow and the key is wide, tall, aired down tires.

[jackelope]

But we're not talking about wheeling in 5' of snow.