Chaining up your 4X4

[FC]

Still an interesting thread. Another question for you all, do you chain up in the deep snow or just on the compacted snow and Ice?  In my experience chaining up in the snow just got me deeper into trouble.

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

[norsepeak]

I usually only just chain up the spare....that way when I need real super duper traction I put it in 5 wheel drive.

[gasman]

I usually only just chain up the spare....that way when I need real super duper traction I put it in 5 wheel drive.

[boneaddict]

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

Good thing you are on here offering advice then.



I tend to chain up when I am stuck, then go home.  I have found that chaining up before hand is a good way to get yourself into serious trouble.  There are a few places where that doesn't hold true, like the Swakane for instance during late season.

[BLUEBULLS]

I tend to chain up when I am stuck, then go home.  I have found that chaining up before hand is a good way to get yourself into serious trouble.  There are a few places where that doesn't hold true, like the Swakane for instance during late season.
[/quote]

+1

[Skyvalhunter]

Depends on the snow and road conditions. Sometimes I have chained up after I started spinning. Sometimes before if the road looked icy or someone tore it up by spinning all the way up. Better to idle on the side of caution if you think theres a chance of sliding. I have been in Montana where all fours were chained up and the snow was comming over the hood but that was in dry powder. I know we have all had those pucker moments where you pulled that seat cushion in your arse do to a sticky situation.

[ICEMAN]

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 wait till I get to a gas station or home to air them back up, I have a friend who converted his AC pump to an on demand air compressor for wheelin'. Pretty slick setup but you had to manually add ester oil on a frequent basis.

Why not just buy an inexpensive pump that plugs in to your cigarette lighter?

Because they are cheap, I carry two of the things..... Never had one break yet, yet.

As far as chaining up, you chain up when you have to......  So do you want to be in that predicament with elcheapo chains and maybe only one pair? I recommend everyone take the time and cash to get the welded V-bar type heavy chains. Get two pairs and you will sleep better at camp knowing they are in the truck... Don't forget to get a whole bunch of snubbers, bungies, or even paracord to lash them tight and save your fenders....

[MADMAX]

BTW if anyones looking for them I have really good chains from NAPA 33x1250 x 16.5 for sale for 50 bucks 1 set only
Will post on classified and CL

[throttlejocky20]

BTW if anyones looking for them I have really good chains from NAPA 33x1250 x 16.5 for sale for 50 bucks 1 set only
Will post on classified and CL

I see that you said 33's I curently pack my old mans with me do you know if they will fit on 35's

[rainshadow1]

When I'm going nothing but higher, and there's already snow, I chain up so I don't have to later. In some places here, a slip can be extremely bad... one ditch is 3ft deep, but the other is 1,000 ft deep! If I'm already in 6" of snow before I hit the FS road, I'm going to run chains all day long... That's why mine are custom fitted and they fit tight.

[Bofire]

up to a foot or so of snow is fun to drive around in, no chains. that few day old packed down a few inches think so slick you have to be careful to walk on, you stop your truck and it keeps sliding to the low spot, and you HAVE to drive, 4 wheel chains are great but I drive in fear of one coming loose. Only times I chained just the rear was pulling my trailer into or out of elk camp some steep hills and snow but with the trailer tongue weight it has to b e pretty bad.
thanks for all your comments
Carl

[BLUEBULLS]

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 wait till I get to a gas station or home to air them back up, I have a friend who converted his AC pump to an on demand air compressor for wheelin'. Pretty slick setup but you had to manually add ester oil on a frequent basis.

Why not just buy an inexpensive pump that plugs in to your cigarette lighter?

Because they are cheap, I carry two of the things..... Never had one break yet, yet.

As far as chaining up, you chain up when you have to......  So do you want to be in that predicament with elcheapo chains and maybe only one pair? I recommend everyone take the time and cash to get the welded V-bar type heavy chains. Get two pairs and you will sleep better at camp knowing they are in the truck... Don't forget to get a whole bunch of snubbers, bungies, or even paracord to lash them tight and save your fenders....

I’ve burnt up a cheap 12v pump or two. I always carry one but I also try not to go too low on pressure. I drive my Tacoma to the mountains so I can get by in the upper single digits but I try to keep It around 10-15 just so I can run around on pavement too.

[6x6in6]

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?

Yes, air line connection is on the PacBrake system for my exhaust brake. 

[MikeWalking]

When I'm going nothing but higher, and there's already snow, I chain up so I don't have to later. In some places here, a slip can be extremely bad... one ditch is 3ft deep, but the other is 1,000 ft deep! If I'm already in 6" of snow before I hit the FS road, I'm going to run chains all day long... That's why mine are custom fitted and they fit tight.

I like that bit about the 1000 foot ditch. One reason I carry chains.  A 3 foot ditch? Slid into one with a friend and spent the night (78 Ford Maverick...lol) built an 'on ramp' in the morning to get out.  A good point has been made here I'm glad I saw it.   "If I have to chain up my 4WD I'm some place I shouldn't be"  Food for thought.  Also I'm reminded to replace my portable Jump Starter/Air compressor.

[Special T]

Lowering air pressure is usually harder on the tires for fullsize rigs than smaller trucks...the carrying capacity of a 33in tire even at 10psi is sufficient in cold weather for most compact trucks... For a full size with all kinds of crap in it your gona have to be more careful...
My 33in BFG LR C has a capacity of 2500lbs a tire at 50psi the scale weight of my S-10 is 3500lbs... I normally run them at 30lbs on pavement and could go a low as 15 in the winter time an have no problems with the tire, just might not handle so nice... The scale weight on my Dodge is about 7000lbs the same tire is going to have a harder time supporting the truck aired down.... Now many of you would say that a full size is gona have a LR for D or E so they are not comparable... higher Load Rating mostly come from more air pressure... "Max" air pressure on the LR C is 50.... on a LR D or E is about 80lbs...
Off road equiptment tires have an air-speed-weight table so that you can meet each kind of tire to its best combination for wear & traction... Manufacturers don't produce one for auto stuff because they don't want the added liability of helping you "refine" your ride on the tires..