workingdog
GOLD Star
Chains are never required on 4x4 on Donner Pass. If it gets that bad, they've already closed the road. No on in Truckee puts chains on a 4x4 in the winter - although most are running studs.
Tire chain reccomedation.
- Thread starter Ezra
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I just finished spending some time on the Flex-Trax web site. The bar reinforced chains are very good on ice, but very poor on bare pavement.I have been sold on the bar reinforced chains, but after time on the Flex-Trax web site I would like to try a set. According to the blurb on their web site Flex-Trax are good on pavement, so I would like to see how well they actually do. I want to see first hand how well they do.
Don
Don
Cable chains are for Girly Boys. My Land Cruiser would be insulted and I would be embarrassed. Land Cruisers have an image and it is not as a Girly Boy.
What is a girly boy? Never heard of that. Technical term maybe?
I've been tempted to get a set of these for my commuter car. Not because I'd ever need them, just that they're cool as hell and can change in length to fit a wide range of tire sizes.
Universal size snow chains for all vehicles
This is the only time I need chains.
That is the kind of attitude I speak of when I said I get disparaging looks when I put chains or cables on my 4x4.
Swartsinager coined that saying and to me anyone using it is displaying their own inadequacies.
To chain or not to chain...I would rather have chains or cables installed and risk the a funny look from some snob rather than end up in an icy ditch with a good set of chains or cables in the trunk.
IMO chains are better than cables for aggressiveness as Trancruiser's photo illustrates the right choice for the conditions.
If however you are making to the store and back home for instance where you are encountering a mix of snow,ice and bare pavement then cables might be the better choice.
We used to get some pretty good snows here and I would chain up. One reason I use cable now is because about nine years ago we had a really heavy snow. The county was working day and night trying to keep the roads clear and for a couple days I was doing quite a bit of running around checking on neighbors and pulling the occasional "manly" driver that figured he didn't need any stinking chains out of a ditch.
I was running chains with the lugs and every once in a while I couldn't avoid driving on bare pavement for short distances. With no snow to drive on with the chains, it would just about jar my fillings loose it I went too fast.
On the second day of driving around being a good Samaritan and having a bit of fun a knock started in the rear of my Land Cruiser.
I figured it was one of the chains hitting against the body but couldn't find the source.
After the roads got cleared up I popped the chains and the knock was still there. It turned out the bolts on the rear axle ring gear were backing out and a couple were hitting the housing.
I am convinced the vibration from chains was a factor in those loose bolts. Cables while not the most aggressive of the two choices are a smoother ride and are usually sufficient for what I run into.
Looks like this will be the third winter with out any snow here but when the time comes that we do get a snow storm I will select the proper traction accessory, straighten my lipstick and head out.
1911
chupacabra
I bought two sets of RUD 4x4 chains years ago, they were recommended by Bill Burke. I have only ever used them once, in a freak (for north Texas) snow storm that dumped a couple of feet of snow on Christmas eve. Everything was completely shut down here, and the borrow ditches of all the county roads out here were full of cars and trucks. I put the RUD's on all four wheels, and my 40 was unstoppable. Youngest son and I spent Christmas morning pulling people out of borrow ditches and in some cases towing them up hills. It was fun, and like I said, the 40 never stopped or lost traction.
The RUD chains are easier to put on than the old-fashioned conventional chains I grew up with in Colorado, but you have to practice a few times to get it right. You also need to stop and re-tension them after driving a mile or so. After that, they were good without readjustment.
The RUD chains are easier to put on than the old-fashioned conventional chains I grew up with in Colorado, but you have to practice a few times to get it right. You also need to stop and re-tension them after driving a mile or so. After that, they were good without readjustment.
middlecalf
SILVER Star
Don - they have a bit of a bumpy ride on pavement or solid hard surfaces (as do chains) as they are 3/8” or so thick. So that limits my travel speed. But there is no damage to them or the road. Anything soft like snow, even compacted, or mud they run great.
Not sure if this has been mentioned, but TEST FIT any chains IN YOUR DRIVEWAY ON A NICE DAY before you ever need them. Also, bring baling wire and bungees (good ones) to restrain any loose links that will flail your fender. Drive slowly with them, even in deep snow. Carry 2x spare chains, in case you lose a chain while 'wheeling. Buy too-short chains at a garage sale for $5 and connect 2 sets end-to-end to make custom chains for oversize tires.
In reference to Post 23 above, I did not make myself very clear. I like chains because they provide much more traction in mud and snow than cables. Cables are fine on plowed freeways and highways where you probably drive fast. Chains are for the road that does not see a snow plow, thats were the Land Cruiser shine. I have two 50 caliber ammo cans in my FJ 40 with chains in them.
Test fit is good. In fact even if you have used the chains the previous season it is a good idea to shake them out and fit them before you head out to play.
When fitting them for the first snow of the season there have been times I would swear my chains have shrank over the summer.
Rubber chain retaining rings made for chains are best but bungees will work fairly well in a pinch. Be careful using bailing wire it that is all you have as you run the risk of puncturing a sidewall with a wire end.
Sinch the chains so that if one does come off it will do so outward. A bigger concern other than banging up part of the fender is getting one tangled in a brake line.
Extra lengths of chain is also a good idea and carry some "D" rings for repairs.
Two sets of chains hooked together? Make sure they are the same design and the joining is sound. If I was to do it my preference would be welded link and a "D" ring as last resort.
While typing the thought came to mind that you probably have a better chance of repairing chains than cables.
Another obscure tip - the tire chains that fit nicely your old baldy tires will be much harder to fit to new tires with full tread. Getting the chains situated around the tread blocks can be difficult or require longer chains that you have. I store my chains in stout plastic toolboxes, and spray the chains with WD40 on occasion. Leave a set of cheap work gloves in the chain box, so if I have to do a roadside install, you at least have gloves.
25 years chaining up on our 18 wheelers, this is the proper way to adjust your chains...rubber tarp straps, and lots of them, don't leave home without them, very forgiving.
There's always someone who never chains, always someone who "barefoots" every pass and never has a problem, I've watched them bragging on the CB radio, and then drift slowly off the road or jacknife ...you get the picture. I don't doubt for one minute folks get by without chains in treacherous conditions, but it would suck to be That Guy who slides into trouble when chains would have saved the day.
We'd stop and hang iron, and get the job done, chains let you steer and stop, chains slow your speed down (a good thing). Later on cables replaced most of our chains because chains are so dang heavy, and chaining up a big truck is a bit of work, but we always had a set of chains for traction, or light pulling, just a handy thing to keep on the truck.
I know big trucks are not the subject, but being able to stop and steer mean the same, especially when others can't.
- Thread starter
- #34
Update - I went without chains. SF to south lake Tahoe on Friday in the middle of a storm. Traffic was horrid, lots of people sliding off the road, no one put-on on chains until the last minute causing most of the traffic (once the accidents were cleared).
Chain Control was in effect. They looked at the 4wd hub locks and 32" All Terrain TA's and waved me on. Kept the truck in 4WD high while there was snow on the ground. I did not have as much as a moment of concern while driving. These trucks are badgers in the snow.
Some friends coming up the next day had problems getting trough with their 4wd, which made me a little paranoid. I picked up a set of 2 chains from Les Schwab up there for piece of mind. Didn't even need the 4wd going home, so will probably return them in April.
Chain Control was in effect. They looked at the 4wd hub locks and 32" All Terrain TA's and waved me on. Kept the truck in 4WD high while there was snow on the ground. I did not have as much as a moment of concern while driving. These trucks are badgers in the snow.
Some friends coming up the next day had problems getting trough with their 4wd, which made me a little paranoid. I picked up a set of 2 chains from Les Schwab up there for piece of mind. Didn't even need the 4wd going home, so will probably return them in April.
