Chain up question

btggraphix --

Whether you get the triple or dually chains depends on how you are going to use them. It doesn't take much more time to put them on than a single on the outside.

I started out with a single set of crossbar reinforced linked chains as they provided better traction in the deep wet snow in the Sierra and when it got icy. I'd seen lots of people not make it up steep icy hills using other types of chains.

On the rare occasions that Cal-Trans made me put on chains, I'd put them on the front when going up a banked, curvy snow covered road to a ski hill. Sometimes they would insist that they go on the rear.

Took a little more time to link the inside portion together when on the rear than just turning the front wheel. I have a piece of wood (two pieces of 2x8 glued together with a ramp sawn on one end, 12" long) that I drive up onto with the inner wheel when I put them on the rear. After getting stuck in a Sno-Park that Cal-trans didn't have time to get to (since they lost control of the highway) I got a second set of chains, so I wouldn't have to shovel as much. When stuck with only one set I had more success at getting out with them on the front.

Even with chains on the front and outer rear I still got stuck in the Sno-park as there were several storms that came through and dumped 100" in 4 days. Part of the problem was with the wet snow, I was packing snow under the inner rear as the outer chained rear was digging down to get traction. It just dug a hole vs. pushing me ahead.

Not to be done in, I got a pair of the cross bar reinforced triple chains. With these chains on the rear and ones on the front, the truck would chew throught the snow, hook up and the truck would porpoise forward and then chew away again to get me out of the Sno-Park without too much shoveling. The only down side to the triple chain is that they are heavy. I have a piece of 2x6 that fits under both wheels that I drive up on. Throw the chains over the top, slide under and link the inner and then outer, then roll forward off the block and link the middle. Then tighten the cams, roll back and forth, tighten the remaining ones. Add spring type chain tightener (helps make slack to tighten the last cam).

Chains were pre-fitted in a nice warm garage, so no links to wire off, no guessing which to link to when they are actually needed.

Triples were smoother than ones just on the outer rear on bare road or black ice, but most of the time when they lost control of the road, there would be more than four inches of packed snow on the road and it was smooth either way.

To put it all in perspective with only the studded snow Nokian tires on all six wheels, the TC in the back and in 4WD, I could go where I wanted to when the snow was less than 10".

Then I got smarter, made friends with the guys who plowed the ski area parking lot and they said no issues with me parking there. Even when they lost control of the parking lot, if they plowed me in, they would happily dig me out later. Haven't had to use triples or chains since.

So you guys with duallies, it is really that much easier to just do the outsides only? I have still not bought chains for mine, but I like the "concept" of having both tires chained on the rear....it seems like with the alternating cross links it would make the ride smoother, and it doesn't SEEM like putting a dual set on (especially these new ones with good cams for tightening etc.) would be that much harder. Especially using a block to roll up onto. I know everyone seems to always say outside dually tire only....but I'm curious how many have actually done it both ways (and lived to tell the tale.....)

Oops

well it snowed and the roads in Yosemite iced up to glass like conditions

yes the roads were posted R1 but even with 4x4 I was slipping around so on went the chains


and on the downhills where I kept it at 10-12mph and you could see it was mostly ice I was quite glad I did



The chains took less than 5 minutes each to install and properly tension. I had them on from Upper pines campground near Curry Village in Yosemite Valley to the El Portal Entrance Station. They work and drive like a charm

garryk6 wrote:
I have been using this type of chain in Alaska now for about 5 years. I will never go back to cables or plain old chains again!
Cam style chains


Both my F350 and my Excursion I run a 235x85x16 studded mud and snow tire on here in Alaska. There have been several times I have had to chain up, and since I have pre-fit these chains, it takes me less that 10 minutes to install them. My F350, I also plow with, not commercially, but friends and family, and many times, chains have been the only way to keep going with the Ice and Snow. The ones I bought also have the "V" bar Ice grips.
With these Cam style chains, once you have them cinched up tight, I have been able to get up to 35 to 40 mph for short periods as road conditions allow. They are that good. I would recommed then to anyone that needs a good heavy duty chain for just their truck or with a truck and camper!

Garry,
Kodiak, Alaska

x2 on these. I have a set of these for our Cherokee and both pickups. I too have driven many miles with plenty of 30-40mph and spun through deep snow on forest roads with these and never a failure.

With the cams tight they're pretty much part of the tire.

Thanks for info.

Putney wrote:
Garry,

Can you tell us specifically why you like these chains so much?

Also, I didn't spot the V -bar ice grips. Where do you buy them?

I have bought them off e-bay and I have bought them locally.



Here is a You Tube video of them being installed on a Fire Truck. On my F350, I can lean over the top of the tire, after draping the chains over, hook the back hook, then come to the front and clasp the front, then just go around tightening the CAMS and I do not have to use any rubber bungees, or the spring thing that the firetruck uses in the video. and they are a piece of cake to install, and if they are a bit loose when you drive forward, all you have to do is tighten one more cam, or loosen them all, go one more link and then tighten as many CAMS as possible till they are really tight.

Cam Chain INstall

You can order them for any size tire, with or without V-Bar Ice links.

Let me know if there are any other questions!

It is snowing as I type here in Kodiak. Only about 1/2" so far, but expecting 3 to 6 inches by tomorrow AM.

Garry

BTW, no snow at the moment on Snoqualmie:



this is a live image and will update every time the camera grabs a new still image

garryk6 wrote:
Both my F350 and my Excursion I run a 235x85x16 studded mud and snow tire on here in Alaska.

Tall skinny tires rule in the snow.... AKA: PIZZA CUTTERS!!!!

Garry,

Can you tell us specifically why you like these chains so much?

Also, I didn't spot the V -bar ice grips. Where do you buy them?