Tire chains DRW ....winter camping..need help

Ozlander wrote:

~DJ~ wrote:
State laws out west on these steep mtn grades also require a drag chain on the trlr.

Drag chain?:?

if towing, chain up the rearmost axle that has brakes, to keep the trailer from trying to *pass* you, when attempting to stop -- kinda important :E

A drag chain is a set of chains you put on a trailer for braking. With my semi truck & trailer I pull a four axle trailer & will chain up the right rear outside dual tire & the left front dual outside tire. If you are pulling a utility trailer or cargo trailer I would put a set of chains on one tire either side so when you are braking it will help keep everything straight & not jack knifing your trailer when braking.

dually chains are not that hard to install, in my opinion. Of course, I'm about 30 years out of practice, so I might change my tune if I had to chain up a dually again. At the risk of stating the very obvious (gonna anyway, since I've seen way too many people try this) ... do NOT lay the chains out on the ground and drive onto them, expecting to be able to pull them up and around the tire.

Ok, everyone say "well DUH!" :)

I've never had to jack up, drive up on boards, etc. Simply lay the chains out beside the tires, getting all the cross-links straight, etc, then lift them up in the center and lay it over the top center of the duals. Loosely hook the front chain to keep them in place, then crawl in and hook the rear chain as tightly as you can get it, sawing the chain back and forth in the ice and snow (of course there's ice and snow - why else would you be chaining up?).

Repeat process on the front links.

Drive forward a few complete revolutions and tighten up the chains. Drive a little bit (half-mile or so?) and then recheck/retighten.

Ditto the poster's comments above on chains on the trailer as drag chains.

~DJ~ wrote:
State laws out west on these steep mtn grades also require a drag chain on the trlr.

Drag chain?:?

SanDiegoHighwayman wrote:

WesternRoamer wrote:
If you are running on steep mountain roads, towing or moving on unpaved roads over a 6% grade, chain both axles. Outer rear and front are bomber. If towing, chain the rear axle of the toad (minimum).

Yup, GOOD advice!

State laws out west on these steep mtn grades also require a drag chain on the trlr.

WesternRoamer wrote:
If you are running on steep mountain roads, towing or moving on unpaved roads over a 6% grade, chain both axles. Outer rear and front are bomber. If towing, chain the rear axle of the toad (minimum).

Yup, GOOD advice!

If you are running on steep mountain roads, towing or moving on unpaved roads over a 6% grade, chain both axles. Outer rear and front are bomber. If towing, chain the rear axle of the toad (minimum).

www.tirechains.com - great site - good products/good prices. We only chain the outside dual on our fire apparatus... ST

Go to les Schwab tires. Their policy about returns if you don't need them in the spring can't be beat

Drive up on a board under the inside wheel and then chain up the outside wheel. Many years ago I tried full dual chains, and what a mess. That's a job invented by the devil.