Tire chain recommendations ??

[Scottintexas]

hoping some of my northern friends could help me out,

I just bought my first 4wd truck,

I'm going to buy some tire chains for the one or two days every other year that we get an ice storm,
I'm a small business owner and if nobody else shows up to work I have to, also, for that occasional ski trip that we might get in a middle of a storm, just being prepared

I previously had an old 2wd truck and had "cables" that worked very well on the tires

I was looking at these

https://www.amazon.com/Peerless-0232805-Auto-Trac-Traction-Chain/dp/B0091RCM5Y/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._V-KwP8Zznt1Dd6_wC3KjEL7zM652UJaWrK_idg2EWTSl_AcggOpxXNy6CjgdcqZyDG4pdsJJ_HI9kop7yX5fdWLCFEjULzIKWqO6Ql9xI_dkP47Iu6FfFsB4DjmvKzeQT6q2WDcGxLmfQEfqibe35bnPOH4i5UTYfKaF2EJ82f0vsACEJOjmVVrNKCz8vR32GTYMfw3-OkaK6LVnYphqdseCvpxF0l7wrbpL6MUlWA.9v9ON635_32PbqsNZ1gRj7i-uDHmtxAz-QcWjccZmfc&dib_tag=se&keywords=tire%2Bchains%2B275%2F65r18&qid=1733330378&sr=8-1&ufe=INHOUSE_INSTALLMENTS%3AUS_IHI_3M_HARDLINES_AUTOMATED&th=1

since it's 4wd and I'd probably be using 4wd would you put the chains on the front tires ??

 

[jcb1977]

I've lived all of my life in the upper midwest (Wisconsin and the UP of Michigan). Front wheel drive is needed at a minimum and preferably AWD/4WD, but have never owned or needed a set of tire chains.

With a 4WD truck and keep a tow strap and shovel in the bed in case of emergencies and I think you'd be all set in 99% of the situations. Might be different in areas that don't get regular snowfall with highway departments not equipped to plow/salt the roads sufficiently. but even then, in big snow storms here they don't' get to the side/back roads for a while and I never had any problems with a 4WD truck. Just have to slow down.

 

[2kwik4u]

I'm living through my first "real" snow event up here in Buffalo this week, but have been in some 10-20in events in the Louisville area in the past. I echo @jcb1977 comments. I've never really seen the need for chains/cables in just normal "commuting" situations. I would reserve the use of chains/cables for things like conquering mountain passes, traversing extreme deep snow in fields or other "farm" style situations, and dealing with really heavy ice situations where the good tread of a tire won't get it done. If I expected a ton of ice, I would run studded tires before chains.

My Yukon was a beast in the snow. I kept good tread on the tires, and ran all seasons. The few times it was in deep snow it did really well. it was heavy and had an "auto 4wd" setting for the transfer case that would move power around as needed. I'm finding the Rivian to be very similar. Heavy with good AWD system. Beyond that it has "3 peak" snow rated tires. I've been in 30in of snow with this one, and it's slower going, but I didn't have any problems. My GMC Sierra had similar experiences with acceptable traction without the use of chains/cables.

My first car ever was an '84 Ford Bronco II. Bought it from Granddad for $600. He bought it brand new. He lived out in the country and thought that missing work was unacceptable, so he had air lockers installed, and ran studded snow tires from Sept to March. When I got the SUV it still had the studded snow tires on it. My dad thought that was the biggest waste of $600, until we got a freak snowstorm in '94. Louisville saw over 36in of snow overnight. My Bronco and the bosses AWD Astrovan were the only two vehicles to make it to the office that day. Both vehicles had dedicated snow tires with studs in them. They called off work and we went around delivering groceries for two days.

 

[zipper]

I have used a couple sets of v-bar studded type steel chains. Low speed, 15 mph max. Kept them in the bed next to the sander. They worked when needed. A bit of caution when using while trying to pull someone out of a ditch, is to not spin the chains under load, they can break and wrap around the brake line and shear it off, requiring a new brake line section and wheel cylinder. Spoken from experience.




Buy a good set or two since you will not be running studded tires. Only used on the front once in 30 years, during an ice storm.
I have used the same chains on the tractors for 28 years. I add repair links and shackles as needed as they are used every winter and getting old.



I have been known to take the tractor to town during big snow events. Pulled out several plow trucks along the way.

Better to have and not need than...

 

[BigN8]

hoping some of my northern friends could help me out,

I just bought my first 4wd truck,

I'm going to buy some tire chains for the one or two days every other year that we get an ice storm,
I'm a small business owner and if nobody else shows up to work I have to, also, for that occasional ski trip that we might get in a middle of a storm, just being prepared

I previously had an old 2wd truck and had "cables" that worked very well on the tires

I was looking at these

https://www.amazon.com/Peerless-0232805-Auto-Trac-Traction-Chain/dp/B0091RCM5Y/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._V-KwP8Zznt1Dd6_wC3KjEL7zM652UJaWrK_idg2EWTSl_AcggOpxXNy6CjgdcqZyDG4pdsJJ_HI9kop7yX5fdWLCFEjULzIKWqO6Ql9xI_dkP47Iu6FfFsB4DjmvKzeQT6q2WDcGxLmfQEfqibe35bnPOH4i5UTYfKaF2EJ82f0vsACEJOjmVVrNKCz8vR32GTYMfw3-OkaK6LVnYphqdseCvpxF0l7wrbpL6MUlWA.9v9ON635_32PbqsNZ1gRj7i-uDHmtxAz-QcWjccZmfc&dib_tag=se&keywords=tire%2Bchains%2B275%2F65r18&qid=1733330378&sr=8-1&ufe=INHOUSE_INSTALLMENTS%3AUS_IHI_3M_HARDLINES_AUTOMATED&th=1

since it's 4wd and I'd probably be using 4wd would you put the chains on the front tires ??

Scott,

1st- Don't drive on TX ice. Too many numb skulls out there that will hit you more than you crashing yourself. 2nd - I've driven that truck in massive snow storms in South Fork, CO, Wolf Creek, and Pagosa Springs and never once had a problem. Put it in 4L for driveways and parking lots and 4H for road driving. How's she doing BTW?

 

[Babin Farms]

First thing is to check and see if chains are legal to run in your state. All the years up north I never once even thought of chains on my vehicles. 4wd or front WD were all we ever had and had no issues.

 

[Gsxr_Rcr]

A good set of all-season tires and 4WD should be fine for those occasional ice storms. If you're really worried, get a set of self-tensioning chains for easy installation.

 

[drewkaree]

Scott, if you're REAAAAALLLLLLLY set on something special for snow, chains are likely to not be the solution. Weight, speed and attention are going to keep you safe for the 20% of the time that tires alone won't cut it. You're pretty handy, and seem to have a willingness to do things, I'd suggest this (and it's what I did for my wife with her rear-wheel drive V8-powered car - if she can handle snow with this setup, I'm confident in you guys too): Get a set of the least expensive wheels (rims) you can get for that car, and have a set of Blizzak tires mounted on them. NOT the studded versions, although those are pretty difficult to find. You'll have enough notice in your area that weather is moving in, so you swap them out at that point, and run with them as long as you feel the weather calls for it.

Snow tires don't have a mileage warranty on them, I think it's just a time warranty, if that's even an offer. The setup above is what I do for my wife's old car, and that set of snow tires is going on 5 years. If we left them on through the entire snow season here, they'd last 2 years, tops. Swapping them out when they're not needed is likely to net me 7-8 years use.

Your truck is going to have more issues with weight, and the rear tires not really grabbing or helping out much. All the 4WD weight will help some, but weight will be your best friend.

If you look at @zipper 's pics, chains are useful on areas you're not likely to be driving, and like someone else mentioned, mountainous areas and special uses are where chains are going to be a help. @Babin Farms is right, you may very well get a ticket if you're running chains on the road, if they're not allowed. They grab so well, but they also do a buttload of damage if the conditions aren't right. Snow tires are the better answer, and even then, in your area it's not as necessary as it is in my area - and I don't even run them on our 2 4WD vehicles. A good set of all-season tires that aren't clapped out is the answer for me.

I've got a set of snow tires for one of the 4WD vehicles we have, but those are only swapped in for serious storms, and heading out on the lake ice for Sturgeon season. Those will likely dry rot before they wear out, as I've only felt the need to use them out on the lake, as long as I keep an eye on conidtions

 

[zipper]

Tire chains are more for ICE not snow. The right tires handle snow but little can help in icy conditions like chains. Those of us driving in snow and ice yearly will run snow tires, possibly studded. For the occasional ice storm, it does not matter what tires you run, you are not going to steer or stop unless studded or using chains.

https://tirechainsonline.com/blog/a-tire-chain-law-overview-by-state/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAu8W6BhC-ARIsACEQoDArZ3zYZ7EFC2RE0jVD4qECMPlpH5n-1a1YXpXMLCXkp7zW49IN05AaAjG3EALw_wcB

 

[Bottom Bracket]

No need for chains on ice in a 4x4 (actual truck), drop your air pressure till it hooks up. Do not use selectable lockers on ice unless you have plenty of room for doughnuts!

 

[gthorson]

In your situation, (ice, 4wd, improved roads) I'd put cables on the front wheels. I've had a 4wd truck in all manner of Utah mountain hell, mud, rock, dust, snow, water, ice, and never had chains. I keep cables in the back of the van ICE but have never used them in 8yrs. The damage chains/cables can do when things go wrong is too high, it'd have to be quite the emergency for me to break them out.

 

[YoDaddy292]

I've only needed chains in a very specific type of snow.........2' deep and above or near freezing........probably about every five years or so when we are having to break trail in the mountains getting to the Christmas trees. I hate them and thank God it's rare to need them on a 4WD truck. We're talking the type of crap that requires 4LO and zero throttle or you just chatter to sinking into your own self made ice wheel chocks. My advice is to have them but hopefully you never need them (and shouldn't under normal snowy conditions on roads). Like mentioned above........the potential for damage they can cause to your fenders, the terrible vibration, and the freezing hands.......they suck LOL. There isn't much an AWD/4WD can't do in the snow, and if it can't, it probably isn't worth going out.

 

[dgfreeze]

There are so many variables here... how far a drive is it? What kind of roads? City, rural, freeway? Would you still go if the county declared a level of emergency that specifies people are supposed to stay home? Here in central Ohio, we don't get a ton of snow, but we do get ice quite a bit, especially mornings from previous day thawing, then freezing overnight, or rain that changes over to ice, etc. I've never put more than a passing thought toward tire chains for my vehicles. I only buy 4x4/AWD, so if conditions are really bad, I just make sure I've got 4 wheels helping, and go slow. Specifically for icy conditions, studded tires would be a "better" option, but maybe a little harder to install... and maybe not. Tire chains aren't easy. A spare set of rims and tires isn't terrible to swap out if you've got a garage to do it in. All in all, I'd honestly recommend shying away from chains or cables for an automotive on the road, unless you're in some seriously terrible shit. As mentioned by others, they have the capability to wreak havoc on your truck if a link breaks, or catches a hose/wire/fenderwell. That said, if you do go with tire chains, I personally would install them on the front before the back. If you have 4x4, you'll get better traction up front anyway, but more importantly, traction for your brakes. Braking power/traction is far more important than anything else. I don't think there's a correct answer here. You can approach it however you want, and only you know your specific situation and needs.

 

[Scottintexas]

Thanks for everyone's reply,
I'm more concerned about ice than snow, I can think of twice I got caught out in the middle of nowhere on icy roads, once I only made it home because I had the cables in the truck. The ice patch covered about 10 miles of road but it shut the highway down,

as zipper mentioned, I'd rather be prepared even if they never get used,

Scott,

How's she doing BTW?

Doing great, driven to Houston about 5-6 times and what a nice ride, pulled the boat twice and that even felt like an upgrade over the old dually,
Every time I walk out and see it in the driveway I smile and think I got a good one,
Thanks for the help on it !

 

[BigN8]

Doing great, driven to Houston about 5-6 times and what a nice ride, pulled the boat twice and that even felt like an upgrade over the old dually,
Every time I walk out and see it in the driveway I smile and think I got a good one,
Thanks for the help on it !

Sweet! Glad to hear it! I miss the seats in that truck. This new one I got they did something different with the seats. New seat vendor maybe??? I don't know...anyway the seats don't seem as firm and they don't ride as comfy as the last F-150 did.