Using Chains

[RBBailey]

This actual winter we are having has got me thinking... I need to be able to get down and back up the hill we live on. Chains are absolutely required at this moment. I would think that spikes are the only other option.

1. When using chains, a single pair, what wheels are best for fitting? Front, rear, one each? Dependent on wheel base?
2. What do you do about driving over pavement spots?
3. What type of speeds?

 

[Ruggedalaskaman]

1 If my driving calls for chains I run them on all 4 tires.
2 The chains should be fine on occasional bare spots. I am using the Pewag asymmetric made of titanium alloy
3 30 mph is max

 

[chris snell]

Where's the best place to buy Pewag or RUD chains?

Which model Pewag exactly?

 

[sloanfiske]

I picked up my RUD sets here:

http://chainstop.com/suv-tire-chains/

 

[RBBailey]

The Rud product list has links on each of the PN's that take you directly to the Amazon page: PDF Doc

I did some experimental driving yesterday with some heavy duty chains on the 88" Series. I'm running G90's at 7.5x16. They do fine on road. They do really well off road. Seem to be OK in fresh snow, but are absolutely horrible on packed snow and ice.

I only have one pair of chains. So I was planning on moving the chains from one axle to another, then driving up and down the end of our road here. It was 25 degrees, and it was a mix of mostly packed, jumbled, snow, or ice.

I backed down my gravel drive in 7" of snow. It is about 10-11 degrees angle. The truck got stuck on the second try, had to do a couple of runs to get enough speed to get back up on the flat.

I put the chains on the Front Right and the Rear Left tires.

On the flat, this just seemed great. The truck handled well without getting squirrely or having trouble stopping when I locked up the brakes.

So I took it down our hill. 1/2 mile long, a decent of 700 feet with two 90 degree corners, outside sloping to each shoulder, and drop offs in a couple of spots. No trouble.

On the way back up, it was after dark, and anything that had melted in the sun was now solid ice at 20 degrees. I had it in 2nd gear, but had to stop half way up because (another) Honda Civic was stuck in the road. I got going again, and pulled around him without trouble. But after helping him get safely off the road, I was unable to get the truck going again by simply driving. I had to back up a bit to angle it across the hill to lower the steepness, then with a few wags of the steering wheel I was able to get going again.

The truck never fish-tailed. And although if you didn't start right, you would spin the two open tires on a slight slope, some easy work with the clutch allowed me to move off from a stop, and stop from a move without any lateral movement at all.

This first try was successful enough that I have not attempted to put chains only on front or only on back. The tires are so slick on ice that I'm sure I would fishtail, or lose steering very quickly. Especially when going down the hill.

It is an absolute sure thing that I would not have made it home without chains. So I'm going to be putting a set of the Ruds into my cart and never look back! Four tires would be even better.

 

[Viton]

IF you have a rear full time locker such as a Detriot of an ARB, you could just put chains on that one axle. I have a Detroit in the rear & a pair of chains but have yet to use them. Remember too that on an off camber road, the chains, or tire for that matter, will tend to eat away the down slope snow, kind-of auger it away and you'll find yourself sliding sideways.

PS If you buy some chains, be sure to at least try one one before you ever need them to check the fit. Always carry along some black rubber tensioners and some bailing wire to tie down the ends if they're too long. The tail will beat the hell out of your body panels.

 

[Ruggedalaskaman]

I bought mine local here in Anchorage. Pewag makes some of the toughest chains out there.

 

[RBBailey]

IF you have a rear full time locker such as a Detriot of an ARB, you could just put chains on that one axle. I have a Detroit in the rear & a pair of chains but have yet to use them. Remember too that on an off camber road, the chains, or tire for that matter, will tend to eat away the down slope snow, kind-of auger it away and you'll find yourself sliding sideways.

PS If you buy some chains, be sure to at least try one one before you ever need them to check the fit. Always carry along some black rubber tensioners and some bailing wire to tie down the ends if they're too long. The tail will beat the hell out of your body panels.

Yeah, the idea to carry safety wire or rubber cords is a good one.

I can tell you that I would not have any steering control at all with these tires if I had no chains on the front. As soon as they hit ice or packed snow, it's all out the window. If you have modern snow tires, it would make a big difference.

 

[chris snell]

It is an absolute sure thing that I would not have made it home without chains. So I'm going to be putting a set of the Ruds into my cart and never look back! Four tires would be even better.

Which model of RUDs?

 

[chris snell]

Of course I'm just now realizing that I need chains with this on the way:

I'm in the dark purple zone. :/

 

[RBBailey]

Which model of RUDs?

I was looking at the ones that auto tighten.

By the way, you are missing out on the first actual winter I've ever seen in Oregon/Washington in the 30+ years I've lived this side of the Cascades. Snow events and snow depth, yes, but never anything like this.