chains on front axle

[IdahoDoug]

Not to pile on ya, RockDoc but I'll also disagree with the added stress theory. Spinning chains don't hook up quickly or well on anything at all so I wouldn't be concerned at all. Dig down to pavement and they're not gonna grip well. Spin 'em on snow or ice and they don't really grab either.

If a drive train can take normal offroading stress (spinning a tire and having it solidly and suddenly hook up on a ledge for instance) it will easily handle the much lower stress of having chains on in ice and snow.

DougM

 

[IdahoDoug]

BTW, reading Dan's and Bearcat's descriptions of chaining up in the old days made me think of how pure and functional a vehicle looks when all chained up. You can have a great looking built 4X4 driving down the street in my town during winter, but nothing says 'no nonsense capability' like a beat up old ranch truck with chains on all four wheels clattering down the street. Seems the essence of American West to me - like a breath of genuine fresh air in a modern world losing touch with self reliance.

DougM

 

[RockDoc]

Not to pile on ya, RockDoc but I'll also disagree with the added stress theory. Spinning chains don't hook up quickly or well on anything at all so I wouldn't be concerned at all. Dig down to pavement and they're not gonna grip well. Spin 'em on snow or ice and they don't really grab either.

If a drive train can take normal offroading stress (spinning a tire and having it solidly and suddenly hook up on a ledge for instance) it will easily handle the much lower stress of having chains on in ice and snow.

I was thinking off-road actually, with ledges and roots and broken ice surfaces and such to catch on. Have never used mine on-road yet (and doubt I ever will have to). On road, I would have to agree after thinking about it that you would want 4 or none.

Will give a try with all 4 this year at River Shiver, last year I ran with a pair on the back, and had no trouble whatsoever. Looking back over the photos, there were atleast 3 rigs running chains on the back, none with all 4, none running on the front. For off-road ice and snow conditions, I would trust the ones who were there to speak up if we were being stupid. Should make for a good conversation this year......

 

[reffug]

I just try to avoid using them.

 

[Walking Eagle]

I just try to avoid using them.

Best oppinion yet.

If it's so bad on the roads that I have to chain up my truck, I may seriously debate weither I need to be out on the roads in the first place. If you're already out, and the conditions turn on you, that's a different story, or if you don't want your wife to give birth in the house, or you're already off the road stuck, or, or, or...

 

[Devil's Slide Doug]

Here is a "classic" link to thread about front versus rear chains. One of my favorites. Not exactly a new debate.
chains.htm

 

[reffug]

Best oppinion yet.

Even a blind squirrel...................

 

[firetruck41]

I tried chaining up just the front, it was fine, until I was making a turn on a slight downhill and the rear kicked right out on me and spun me around. Now I have a set of chains for each axle.

 

[reffug]

I personally have never driven an 80 with chains, but with the AWD system I seriously doubt it would be advisable without chaining up all 4 tires.

 

[cruiserdan]

It doesn't matter as long as the center is locked.

 

[lt403]

thanks for all the input. i'm heading to vermont on the 23rd of this month and debating whether to buy a set.

 

[roncruiser]

Heavy snow dump in the local mountains... time to break out the board, but I can't find my chains.
Didn't like my old cable chains. What a good recommendation for chains? I plan on buying a set for the front and back.

Check these chains out: 285-75R-16LT Tire Chains

 

[EricG]

Heavy snow dump in the local mountains... time to break out the board, but I can't find my chains.
Didn't like my old cable chains. What a good recommendation for chains? I plan on buying a set for the front and back.

Check these chains out: 285-75R-16LT Tire Chains

I have 2 pair of the ones on the left. I've been really happy with them, and can usually get all 4 on in about 15 minutes or less - except this past weekend. Out of practice I guess.

 

[TOY350]

Run my chains every winter in the mountain snow and highly recommend it. Way better traction and control when the conditions call for them and that's chaining up all 4 every time. Here's a shot where I cut the path you see and then was backing down because it was the end of a skid road and I was just checking how far up it I could get.

 

[turbocruiser]

Run my chains every winter in the mountain snow and highly recommend it. Way better traction and control when the conditions call for them and that's chaining up all 4 every time. Here's a shot where I cut the path you see and then was backing down because it was the end of a skid road and I was just checking how far up it I could get.

Those look like RUD GRIP 4x4's? How do you think they compare to others you've used? Thanks.

 

[nuclearlemon]

haven't chained my 80, but spent a lot of time with my 40 and 60 chained and always did the front. steering and pull. if you are doing a downhill decent, then either keep the ass end from being allowed to swing around by gassing it, or unlock the front to prevent excessive pull (it will still have good traction though, so won't be as good as rears chained, but i've never run into a situation where it was a big issue).

being that all 8 of my rigs are 4wd, i've never used chains on the road, just for winter runs, but i'm guessing they would respond the same. i've wheeled icy packed, deep snow, mild snowpack off road, which pretty much covers all the road conditions possible (except there aren't any dumas' wheeling with me, but they're all over the roads)

 

[TOY350]

Those look like RUD GRIP 4x4's? How do you think they compare to others you've used? Thanks.

Yep those are RUD's and I have been real happy with them. Once you get the hang of putting them on it's real easy. I prefer them over the ladder style having run both many times. I even have a set for my 35's on my 40. Real easy to adjust tension after you put them on and roll up a few feet. Theoretically you can put them on once you are stuck and not moving, I would call it a challenge but doable whereas the ladder style you would have to jack the tire up to do it. I prefer to chain up prior to getting close to stuck though

 

[thisilldefend]

I worked as a hunting guide in NW Montana and Idaho panhandle for three seasons. When we put chains on, which was quite often, we wrapped all four. All our driving was on forest service roads. We could not take the chance of sliding off a cliff to our deaths. Lawsuits. With 4 chains we could push snow till it was over the headlights. Cant wait to do it in my 80.

 

[roncruiser]

Yeah, I like these chains... nice: DIAMOND STYLE TIRE CHAINS
Not something you can stowaway easily but not a big problem.

 

[RedTacoma]

thanks for all the input. i'm heading to vermont on the 23rd of this month and debating whether to buy a set.

Oh yes you should
And You should have Winter tires on your truck too.