snow chains

great info. there is really something to be said for experience. Simple things like looking at other trucks to see if they are chained up..if you feel it slip.. or simply asking on the CB. Never crossed my mind. May have once out there.. but from my couch here... never entered my mind.

thanks

 

i'm tired of slipping and sliding; i need to know everything possible about chains:

How to install
Links
Where to buy
etc.

Thanks in advance.

 

Know that they are a pain to put on, but nothing beats them for traction.
whitemountainchain.com is where i get my stuff. Can buy cheap or spend $.
I mainly use chains for back roads and woods(getting in and out of log landings).
During the winter i use a fifth wheel hook made out of 3/8" round stock so i can use it to pull side chain between dual tires. The 3/8" will fit inside the chain link.
Some guys dont seem to care, but i run chains as tight as i can get them. After putting on, i drive a few feet and stop and tighten again. They stay on better, and i believe they wear better when tight.
I know you guys out west run 'em all the time, but black top is tough on chains. I run very agressive chains and they are a brutal ride on blacktop. I never use them on the main roads. I stop and wait if traveling is that bad.
Enough rambling for now. Im sure most in here can improve on my thoughts here.....

 

Just another thought... When you do get your new chains, practice putting them on a couple of times on a nice dry day. You will be glad you did the first time you chain up in snow. See some of these clowns rolling around in the snow, trying to get chains on.... Like i said previously, use a hook made out of 3/8 so you dont have to lay down in the snow to pull chain between tires.
Some guys have the ability to throw chains over tires and then drive onto them. I never had much luck doing it.... I seem to be able to get chains on tighter, faster, how i do it now?
As i said before, most in here can improve on what i have told you...
And it is much easier putting them on before you are stuck in a snow bank somewhere.

 

there is no easy answer to this one. If your a slip seater, put your chains on as soon as they tell you to. If you have a dedicated tractor, "learn" you truck, get a feel for it, get to know it's quirks and "read" it's driveline. We used to have several dedicated customers in Grand Junction, I'm in Denver, and it seemed every winter we would do a ton of loas to them. We'd normally be heading out about 2am, and at least three times a week the chain law was up. I would usually chain up at least once a week and barefoot it the rest of the time. My rule of thumb, I knew my truck, I paid close attention to how heavy the load was, and what the road conditions were leading up to the chain up areas. If I was getting some slip before hand, then I would chain up, if I wasn't then I wasn't chaining up.

My new truck has ATC (Automatic Traction Control) aka pain in the ###, I've only chained up 3 times in the 16 months I've had it. We carry chains year round, they never come off the truck. But again, I've "learned" my truck, I pay attention to the rpm's, the speedo, the ATC light, and a feel for the road.

Now being in Colo. there are some roads that I will not argue with the chain law, if it's up I'm chaining: US 550 Molas, Coal Bank, Red Mtn. Pass, US 50 Monarch Pass, US 160 Wolf Creek Pass. I-70 and US40, more times than I can count the chain law has been up and I've gone barefoot without problem. But I will tell you this, I've had 6 of 8 drives chained up and still spun out.

In some states, not chaining until your stuck can cost you several thousands of dollars in fine.

Yep, I learned to put them on while in driving school, in a heated shop, with the drive tires jacked up so they were a foot off the ground. My first time chaining on my own, was in a blizzard at the base of Wolf Creek Pass, with no lights, and no one around to help me.

I also carry a set of chain blocks now, 2 2x12's nailed together, one 16" long and one 10" long, I carry two of these, one per side. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

 

the way I do tripple rails
When you practice on clean dry pavement lay the chains out with the clasps/tighteners to the out side, center the chain with the center of the tire and then move it so you have about 6" more on the loop end . the chain should be v bar or stud side up if it has them . fold the inside rail over top of the outside. grab the center rail and pull ithe chain up on top of the tire keeping the before mentioned alignment (6" more loop side ) once the doubled chain is on the outside dual fold the inside over the inside and reach thru between the duals with a hook like black dog said and pull the loops thru to the hooks hook the center, then the inside and then the outside. if you are only chaining one axle, if you can chain the front the chains chew up a little traction for the rear

 

How about rear fenders? How does that interfer with chaining if any at all? I'm thinking about getting full fenders but not sure if they will get in the way.

 

full fenders and chaining up dont mix, unless you dont mind adding at least another 10 min per tire min. its hard enough to get in there with the trailer over the drives much less not having any clearance to squeeze chains up under a fender

 

Not to mention the first time you have a chain come loose and destroy that purdy fender, you might regret it.

 

there was a guy on ice road truckers (alaska season) that had full fenders and even was able to put on those bigg ### studded chains on the drives. I think it was a whitish pete with red fenders.