Are tire chains recommended?

Passin Thru wrote:
Chuck&Gail and djgarcia, Love the comments. What are snowchains anyway? Drove a big truck and a pickup 23 million miles. Chained up 1 set of tires on Stevens Pass in WA because I was empty and it snowed 4 inches in 5 minutes. Snowflakes so big you could hear the SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.

Once a week during ski season I am on the summit of Stevens Pass. Usually I leave the trailers at home, but the truck camper sure makes a nice place to hang out...

I bought my first 4x4 in 1989 and have always carried chains in them but have yet had a need to install them. So far I have been lucky with weather timing or had the time to wait it out, but that doesn't mean I don't come prepared.

msjdbman wrote:
Hi all,

My wife and I are heading to Glacier Nat Park in early September. I`m just wondering if having a set of tire chains is advisable? Thanks!!

Having grown up around Glacier, YES. especially by late septt chances of snow are pretty high. Now, personnally when I carry them, but unless it is critical we just stay parked till roads are clear again when towing. BTW many states will require chains on one trailer axle when you chain up the TV.

likelyhood of needing them low. Having them if needed-----priceless!

we go to glacier every year. There have been years when logan pass (going to the sun highway) has been closed for few days due to a snowstorm in late june or early July and closed for the season in early Sept just after labor day. course you can't tow over going to the sun anyway. Snow at higher elevations can happen suddenly in the park at higher elevations in the park or the passes getting to the park from the west.

Passin Thru wrote:
Chuck&Gail and djgarcia, Love the comments. What are snowchains anyway? Drove a big truck and a pickup 23 million miles. Chained up 1 set of tires on Stevens Pass in WA because I was empty and it snowed 4 inches in 5 minutes. Snowflakes so big you could hear the SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.

And folks wonder why I have tire chains in the rig! Snow here in the PNW is also a heck of a lot wetter than in the midwest. Once on the ground, it compacts with literally water coming out of it. Best to have chains at that point in time!

I'm also glad many of you have not, nor will pull in the snow. BUT, if one must, think about how you will do so, then try it and hope it works, if not, correct and move on, as long as one is not in a ditch!

Marty

Chuck&Gail and djgarcia, Love the comments. What are snowchains anyway? Drove a big truck and a pickup 23 million miles. Chained up 1 set of tires on Stevens Pass in WA because I was empty and it snowed 4 inches in 5 minutes. Snowflakes so big you could hear the SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.

djgarcia wrote:
When I bought my Dodge Truck I had the "snow sensor alert" installed. If my truck gets within 5 miles of snow, the engine comes to an idle until I turn around and go in the opposite direction:):):)

Hmmmm I have the same sensor on my Chevy. :)

A trailer in the snow? No thank you!

In 35+ years I have never towed in snow and hope to keep my record perfect until they put me underground. :B

rhagfo wrote:

blt2ski wrote:
Generally speaking, the laws state for trucks/trailer combo's of RV size, a set on the main drive axel of the TV, and at least on chain on the trailer. I personally have found it best to have two chains on the front axel and left the rears to them selves. I also prefered chain chains on the truck and trailer while using my TT as a ski hut in the winter at local ski area's. So the it is snowing I'll stay put does not work for some of us! Some of us purposely drive into the mtns etc in the winter. Be it to a ski area, pulling snow mobiles, use as a base for cross country skiing etc.

Like anything we do, better to be prepared than not and suffer the consequences.

Marty

Must be another former Boy Scout! We have had to tow in the snow a couple times. Never do bad we needed to throw on The Iron but had it just in case! I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Year round camping has it's surprises!

Yeah to the BS part.......then if you did weekends from mid dec to mid march as I did going to the mtns, you put on chains an ave of 1-2 times per winter. Mostly when I was coming down vs going up. Coming down is harder than the up part most of the time. Including a sheer ice on the road coming down from timberline with 40-60 mph winds! Overall, not to bad on that trip down, but the iron was what made it nice despite a 10% grade for 6 miles or there abouts!

My kids used to know as soon as I did if we needed the chains to go down the hill. They would have the truck/trailer axels dug out, so when I got back from teaching clinics sunday eve, all I had to do was change out of ski gear, put the chains on and we could leave. I even had to use chains once ALL the way home one sunday night. That was an interesting trip. Then near my house an a short steep grade, a number of cars were spun out, a bus on the side of the road, a cop stepped out to stop us, but I drove around him to the bottom, stopped, turned the 90 corner at the bottom only to have a chain break half a mile later, just at the bottom of the 10% grade up to my house! one drive chain, new tires, ala new truck and a posi, I was at the top a mile later! Properly setup, one can go just about anywhere!

Marty

Actually many states in the west "require" that you carry chains or have approved snow tires on your vehicle in the winter. Some states require both. Have seen check points for chains, after 1 October, on roads in the west.

blt2ski wrote:
Generally speaking, the laws state for trucks/trailer combo's of RV size, a set on the main drive axel of the TV, and at least on chain on the trailer. I personally have found it best to have two chains on the front axel and left the rears to them selves. I also prefered chain chains on the truck and trailer while using my TT as a ski hut in the winter at local ski area's. So the it is snowing I'll stay put does not work for some of us! Some of us purposely drive into the mtns etc in the winter. Be it to a ski area, pulling snow mobiles, use as a base for cross country skiing etc.

Like anything we do, better to be prepared than not and suffer the consequences.

Marty

Must be another former Boy Scout! We have had to tow in the snow a couple times. Never do bad we needed to throw on The Iron but had it just in case! I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Year round camping has it's surprises!

Generally speaking, the laws state for trucks/trailer combo's of RV size, a set on the main drive axel of the TV, and at least on chain on the trailer. I personally have found it best to have two chains on the front axel and left the rears to them selves. I also prefered chain chains on the truck and trailer while using my TT as a ski hut in the winter at local ski area's. So the it is snowing I'll stay put does not work for some of us! Some of us purposely drive into the mtns etc in the winter. Be it to a ski area, pulling snow mobiles, use as a base for cross country skiing etc.

Like anything we do, better to be prepared than not and suffer the consequences.

Marty

I assume you're talking about your trailer? Do you need them on all braking axles of a trailer or would 1 axle be enough?