Chaining up your 4X4

[Bean Counter]

I'll only own 4wd/awd vehicles for the rest of my life.

I'm by no means an expert here but I haven't really read anyone say its better to chain up less. Sure, another pair of chains will double your cost and take longer to put on and take off. Then there's the space you need to dry them out back at home and the wd40 to spray on after. That all being said, isn't a little more cost and effort worth the extra traction?

+1 about the 1,000 foot ditch fears. 42,000 Americans die in vehicle accidents every year.  I'm sure that sliding off a USFS road in the snow is a small % of that number, but a small % of a big # is still a big #. 

[DRobnsn]

Ok here is a stupid question. For the people that air down, Do you have a onboard compressor to air back up? Or do you just wait tell you get to a gas station to get air?

I carry a 12 volt compressor. I have used it several times to air myself and others back up no probs. However I am considering putting onboard air on the truck. I have driven the truck aired down to get air from a service station. I just depends on the situation. And if I can safely drive it to a local service station.

I have 4 chains for my fullsize truck and they do help dramatically in the snow and ice. I only ran them in the rear. I haven't done allot of experimenting with air in my 7500lb Dodge. I will just take my cheap compared to the Dodge, Toyota w/31s drop the air down to about 4-6lbs in rear and 6-8lbs in front and go anywhere I please easily. I have been considering studding all four tires on the Toyota with about two the three times more studs than normal I have a stud machine in the shop. aired down+studs  .

[ICEMAN]

Special T, great points about vehicle weight and tire pressure.

[boneaddict]

I bought chains the day I picked my new truck up from teh dealer Ice.    I did it when I was at Schwabs getting a 2 inch leveler lift to make sure the chains would fit the front end without ripping out the inside..   I get in some hairy crap up in the NE corner and I carry them all year around.   So far still in the bags.  I actually decided not to go out this year when I normally would have.  Growing up I guess.

[ICEMAN]

Whats the matter, don't like crawlin in the snow as much anymore? 

Atleast you east siders are usually chaining up in dry snow. Us wetsiders are chaining up in slush.... 

[Special T]

If you figure the cost of 4 used link chains is about  $100 or $200 new its pretty cheep insurance to get to and from.... For some of you guys who have BIG tires  many off roaders cut down semi truck chains to fit thier rig.... My bro has semi truck chains for his 35x12.5x18 that are on his ranger... chopped down and a couple of beefy bungie cords per wheel and your good to go...

[Antlershed]

Ok here is a stupid question. For the people that air down, Do you have a onboard compressor to air back up? Or do you just wait tell you get to a gas station to get air?

I had on-board air in my Toyota. Had the compressor mounted under the hood, and a 2.5 gallon reserve tank mounted under the bed, so the compressor could take breaks. If you do get on-board air, make sure you get a 100% duty cycle compressor or you will end up burning it up if you aren't careful. I think the lowest I went in the snow with my toy on 35's was 6lbs all the way around.

[ICEMAN]

If you figure the cost of 4 used link chains is about  $100 or $200 new its pretty cheep insurance to get to and from.... For some of you guys who have BIG tires  many off roaders cut down semi truck chains to fit thier rig.... My bro has semi truck chains for his 35x12.5x18 that are on his ranger... chopped down and a couple of beefy bungie cords per wheel and your good to go...

Heck yeah, we picked up about four big rig chains along the highway and made a set for my dads tractor..... can't beat free...

[FC]

I've actually never chained up a 4wd in the snow.

Good thing you are on here offering advice then.

If I think I am going to get stuck worse than a shovel can get me out of I turn around. As far as the advice goes? It comes from years of working on cars and understanding how they work, anytime you give the front end more traction/control than the back you are asking for trouble but a 4wd will cover for some of that since you have power to both ends, I would chain the rear, all 4 or none. The most I've done for any 4wd I owned was air down and I no longer own any chains for trucks having never needed them when I did own them.

[ICEMAN]

Yeah, but....

Chains can be used in wet muddy conditions as well, and you can help save someone else who is in a ditch in a muddy condition, by putting chains on their rig, or yours. So I would still argue that everyone in the backcountry should carry chains....

[FC]

Yeah, but....

Chains can be used in wet muddy conditions as well, and you can help save someone else who is in a ditch in a muddy condition, by putting chains on their rig, or yours. So I would still argue that everyone in the backcountry should carry chains....

I've actually been thinking of getting another set for mine just for those reasons. Chains are amazing in clay and nasty slimy stuff like that.

[whacker1]

Yeah, but....

Chains can be used in wet muddy conditions as well, and you can help save someone else who is in a ditch in a muddy condition, by putting chains on their rig, or yours. So I would still argue that everyone in the backcountry should carry chains....

Yeah That.

And it only takes once.....

Or in my case a couple of times to learn my lesson.  I used my chains twice now.  Once to turn around on some ice on a sloped intersection.  and last year when I almost got stuck in the melting snow when bear hunting last spring.  glad I had them both times.  Oh Yeah.  Those brand new chains have been riding around with me for 8 years - unused until last year.

[Wazukie]

I run 0 psi in my Samurai when I am out wheeling in the snow and have many times driven on over 4' of snow.  THis jeep and Zuk are sitting on about 3.5' foot of snow.

[shoot-em-dead]

didn't vote- I grew up i Mich. where chains are illegal. Imagine that in snow country. I have had a few sets for 2 wheel drive cars but never for my 4x4. While chains do give more traction- they reccommend not going over certain speeds when they are on, I just don't like that restriction.

[bearpaw]

I carry chains for all 4. But I have found if I buy aggressive enough tires every year, I rarely have to chain up.

To answer the poll I'd put chains on front first if I only had one set, especailly if out hunting in deep snow. That is usually the holdup, the front tires digging their way through the snow.

Jack is correct, it's harder than hell on the front cv's, I have to replace them all the time because I put so many miles on in 4x4 lock. One of the reasons I recently went back to a straight axle front end.