Winter traction devices aka tire chains

[SomethingRandom]

SORRY IN ADVANCE IF THIS HAS ALREADY BEEN DISCUSSED TO DEATH, BUT.....

I have a '21 Tremor with the original wheels and tires. The owners manual says not to put chains on size LT285 75 R18 tires, which is

Have you ran with them on the front? Any clearance issues?

I have a CCLB 350. Chains just got here and haven’t had time to test fit. I suspect after trimming the tails they’ll be fine though I might not be able to take steering to full lock.

I doubt you have issues on the tremor that a regular SD wouldn’t also encounter.

 

[Jolagues]

Raspy is correct, I too have made hundreds of trips through the Sierras. The ONLY time that chains are required on 4 wheel drive vehicles is when you are towing, at which time chains are also required on the trailer too. If it gets too bad, Caltrans will just close the road

CHP will close the road before requiring chains on a 4WD. That being said Yosemite is a national park so that don’t follow the same rules.

 

[StarWhite]

Ok, for those following along (@Hopsferdays), went with the 7mm square on all 4 corners. Part of me likes the symmetry, part of me likes the fact they have cams.

Also got 2 storage bags (one for each pair of chains), 2 pairs of the spider tensioners, and 1 pair of the tire chain ramps.

Ain't cheap, but these things don't go bad and could save my butt someday.

Thanks for all the help on that decision, everyone!

View attachment 37853

Did you get a chance to test fit yet? How are they?

Had my first run in with decent snow this morning here in WA and looking to add chains to my winter gear.

 

[ccw]

Did you get a chance to test fit yet? How are they?

Had my first run in with decent snow this morning here in WA and looking to add chains to my winter gear.

Still waiting to get my truck back from the body shop. Should have it back on Tuesday, so hopefully will get a chance to test fit them next week at some point.

 

[Hopsferdays]

I have not either. Beyond the old drape it over to see if they’re right. I think they’ll be fine. You lose some lock to lock radius when the front axle is engaged anyway so I’m not worried. And if I tear something up as long as it’s not essential (brake lines etc) just drive on and deal with it at home and if it is essential I guess I get to do a repair on the road in the snow and it wouldn’t be the first time.

 

[Rooster]

Says that on many new trucks with larger tires, Ford is covering their but on clearance issues from the larger tires. Unfortunately some of us have a need for them and if very conscious about getting them adjusted properly can run them in a pinch. There is always a chance of issue if not installed tightly. Even if installed and tightened properly a chain can break catching a fender, or worse yet a break line. After testing my chains think the risk of damaging the truck with chains for me is much much less than going off a steep icy mountain trail. For me thy are a emergency only thing where the truck needs the extra traction to get out of a scary situation.

I have ripped a brake line off with a pair of poor fitting chains that my brother assured me fit, as one does i did not confirm that til i got stuck 40 miles from the highway. They got me out and a new brake line

 

[2020Tremor]

I have ripped a brake line off with a pair of poor fitting chains that my brother assured me fit, as one does i did not confirm that til i got stuck 40 miles from the highway. They got me out and a new brake line

Ouch, that reminds me need to fit the work truck chains since that would be my luck the one time I don’t pre-fit and adjust.

 

[BUFORD 2.0]

Yeah .. theres a few things they don't sell here in Florida. Chains are one of them. That Anti-Gel stuff for Diesels, thats probably another .. idk. Come to think about it, I've never winterized an RV or Boat .. Nope, noth'n .. It must suck wearing long pants and a jacket for months and months on end .. LOL .. This doesn't mean you should visit Florida in January. It's still around 70*-75*. We've even had mornings dip into the 40's & 50's .. Thats some brutal shit there .. Thank god my truck has a heated Steering Wheel ..

I am blessed living in N Georgia where I can enjoy the four seasons that God created and be able to use a tough truck with 4 wheel drive, Sometimes as a necessity. I don't need chains and if the snow gets that bad i will also put another log on the fire. One thing for sure Florida has the most beautiful beaches.

 

[Geauxtremor]

Thanks for all the insight! I will be getting chains!
This Christmas went to angel fire for ski trip stayed in airbnb in mountains, snow came and went then got packed. Coming off mountains one morning to ski resort turned corner going downhill and road was blocked with a multi car crash applied brakes, but to late just slid down road till I was part of the crash!

 

[LuckDragon]

Ok, for those following along (@Hopsferdays), went with the 7mm square on all 4 corners. Part of me likes the symmetry, part of me likes the fact they have cams.

Also got 2 storage bags (one for each pair of chains), 2 pairs of the spider tensioners, and 1 pair of the tire chain ramps.

Ain't cheap, but these things don't go bad and could save my butt someday.

Thanks for all the help on that decision, everyone!

View attachment 37853

Vender please, thanks,

 

[ccw]

Vender please, thanks,

Huh, usually I'm good about linking to things. Sorry!

I purchased them from https://tirechain.com.

Interestingly, I'm not seeing the exact chains I bought anymore! I purchased the square link, but I'm only seeing v-bar and round-twisted.

 

[ccw]

So pro-tip: don’t bother with the tire chain ramp things from TireChain.com. Neat idea, but way too weak for our trucks.

Tried them out this evening and this is what happened:

Not only did they crush under the weight of the front end (the 7.3L front end! Not even the diesel!) they were too small to even notice when I had gone over them. When I felt a bump I thought I was feeling my first entry onto them. Turns out that was me rolling completely over them. Whoops.

They’re now in the trash can.

Maybe they would work better for a lighter vehicle. But they definitely aren’t for HD trucks.

 

[Loshad]

LOL Bet they work great on a Fiat!

A good idea - thinking I'll make some of 3/4 plywood with a 1/4" or 1/2" base.

 

[ccw]

LOL Bet they work great on a Fiat!

A good idea - thinking I'll make some of 3/4 plywood with a 1/4" or 1/2" base.

Lol precisely! Or heck, even a Jeep or Bronco might work OK.

Chatting with my neighbor, who's put on chains a heck of a lot more than I have (I've done it never), his suggestion was two-fold:

1. Ditch the ramps/blocks/etc entirely and just spread two of the "bars" out enough that you can put the tire in the gap. Then pull the chains up and over. And honestly that would work since the chains are spread out enough, presumably due to the size of the tires.
2. Do like the truckers do and drape the chains over the tire, hook them up as best you can, then roll forward and re-tighten. Once again ditching the ramps/blocks/etc.

I'm probably going to do the latter one. But either way just not carry any helpers.

 

[davidb1841]

I should have kept my mouth shut....it has snowed 3 consecutive Saturdays, and my Veloci-Shephard wants to go to the park!

 

[Loshad]

ccw, having lived a long time as a skier in the Midwest, Alaska, and Washington my chain installation chops are on a par with anybody's. That goofy notched 'ramp' makes sense if only cause a guy always needs to waste more time on another gizmo.

 

[ccw]

ccw, having lived a long time as a skier in the Midwest, Alaska, and Washington my chain installation chops are on a par with anybody's. That goofy notched 'ramp' makes sense if only cause a guy always needs to waste more time on another gizmo.

Well it definitely succeeded at doing that lol!

 

[Hopsferdays]

Well it definitely succeeded at doing that lol!

I told you the chunk of 2x4 was the way to go but nooo you didn’t listen. and the 2x4 makes a handy wheel chalk when you need it.

 

[ccw]

I told you the chunk of 2x4 was the way to go but nooo you didn’t listen. and the 2x4 makes a handy wheel chalk when you need it.

I've got some folding wheel chocks already in my recovery gear. But I'm planning on not even using a 2x4. I tried 2x4's and even those were difficult to know when you were actually on them. Would want a chunk of 4x4 methinks, but instead I'll just drape the chain over the tire and roll forward after getting them connected initially.

 

[StarWhite]

I've got some folding wheel chocks already in my recovery gear. But I'm planning on not even using a 2x4. I tried 2x4's and even those were difficult to know when you were actually on them. Would want a chunk of 4x4 methinks, but instead I'll just drape the chain over the tire and roll forward after getting them connected initially.

Drove through my first bout of snow for the season, reminded me I need to pick up chains.

How did those 7mms end up fitting on your rig?