Chaining up your 4X4

[Bofire]

Over the years I have heard all kinda theory about this, especialy the right rear/left front idea. What is teh effect of posi-trac or a locker?
Carl

[HardCorpsHuntr]

 

Chain the front tires first.  Have a spare for the back just for emergencies to get out.

[butcher98951]

If and when i chain up i chain up all four that way i have no worries...

[gasman]

I chain the fron, but thought about doing the LF/RR and seeing how it works out 

[huntergreg]

I always just do the front tires. Never really needed to chain up all 4s. If I need to do all 4 I wont even go. 

[rasbo]

done both but go with the rear now after hearing what chains can do to the front in when they flap around in there...I try to avoid using them at all,Ill just drive where I dont have to worry..

[Elk329]

I usually chain the rear wheels because when towing a trailer i don't want the trailer pushing the rear end around.

[high country]

chaining opposite corners could be a good stuck w/o a limited slip and a broken arm with a front limited/locker. I broke a hub on my jeep and the wheel turned so friggin hard  I was nearly looking for my fingers. do both on one axle or all. the front has a lot of stuff to tear up if the chain goses wonky......abs sensors and brake lines. rear end stuff is usually tucked in nicely.

[ser300wsm]

If I'm going to chain up at all, i will chain the back tires. The reason that i would do it this way is because i have the weight on the front end + i would be in 4 wheel drive.... I very rarely use chains at all...  

[509er]

If you only have 2 chains, chain up front first.  That way you can still steer, front does a higher percentage of braking and you have more weight in the front with the engine.  If you have open differentials, like most rigs do, and only chain up on one side (LF+RF or RF+RR) your unchained tire on the axle will spin when it loses traction.  I use heavy duty chain tensioners to keep them from flapping and never had any problems. 

[longrange7mm]

Its where your going not where you have been  I chain all the way around if i think i need chains actually only used them a couple times shoulda used them more but they dont do well at a high RPM when your drift Bustn 

[sisu]

I always just do the front tires. Never really needed to chain up all 4s. If I need to do all 4 I wont even go. 

[jstone]

always just the front two

[JackOfAllTrades]

I do believe that the law in Washington.. (really old law -if its even still on the books)  Says to chain up the primary driven wheels.

What isn't specified in this poll is whether you're talking empty pickup truck or an SUV?

An SUV generally has better weight distribution across all four wheels.

Still, for anything with real 4x4 and driven rear wheels, the best to me is to chain the rear where the traction should be the worst -given that there's normally less weight on the axles there.  Especially if you've got some sort of limited slip differential involved. LS works great if there's at least one point that actually has traction, otherwise, LS is like bringin ice to a snowstorm.

If you get stuck with chains in the rear, you have a chance to pull the chains and switch to front and still get out without help. You get stuck with chains in the front.. If you switch them to the lighter rear..Might not be able to get out without help.

If I have to chain up though.. (its got to be pretty nasty for me to chain up), I prefer all four. And yes.. I have four for the truck and SUV. If I'm towing, I've certainly got at least one chain on the forward axle of the trailer, (most likely both sides though) and the rear of the truck would be first, and if its really nasty out... I'll chain up the front of the truck too. No chains up front usually keeps speeds to what they should be, as four chains will usually give someone more 'courage' than they deserve unless they can restrain themselves.  

Oh... One more reason NOT to chain up the fronts 'primarily'.   Chains lead to some terrific traction that the rear won't have. Start spinnin AT ALL in a turn and grab traction, and you can kiss the front axle CV joints, Universal joints or yokes goodbye. I've snapped more than one weeker front axle/yoke/u-joint before I ever snapped a rear axle. Rear axles on 1/2 ton rigs hold weight. Fronts are on spindles.  Rear axles on 3/4 tons don't support weight, and the fronts are still supported by spindles. This allows the axles in front to be 'weeker' than any of the rear ones. Toss in some leverage with a turn involved and some grabbed traction when things are spinning.  BAMM!

Learn from my experience and save yourself some green in your wallet, some serious embarassment, and wrench turning in the cold.

If its bad enough to chain up.. Chain the rear.

-Steve

[Wazukie]

I dont use chains, I just air down.  If chains are required, I stay home cause that means that there are to many yahoo's on the road.