We're heading to Arizona again this winter but this year with the truck and camper. I have no chains for the truck and although I have no intention of driving in the snow I want to have a couple of sets for an emergency and of course to be legal. Or maybe to get through the mud on SR58 in California. So two questions....Where I live on Vancouver Island there is not much call for snow chains so I thought I'd buy some on the way down. We'll probably be on the I5 in Oregon. Any recommended retailers? Obviously they would need to have stock on hand. Another option is buying online and getting them shipped to my nephew in Arizona but that means I wouldn't have them for the trip down.The truck is a Ram DRW 4x4. The manual says chains on front and back. Doesn't say all four rears. I thought I'd try to get two sets of V-bar chains with cam tighteners like these from Glacier:Any chain recommendations? We had no snow last winter but I grew up in a very wintery part of Canada so I've used chains just not on a rig that weighs this much.Thanks in advance, --Bob

First, with 4WD you are not required to have chains, at least on CA freeways.There is Caltrans requirement, that even with 4WD when you exceed certain weight, what I remember was about 15k lb you still need chains, so if you have heavy camper, you might want to check it. Worse come to worse, I would not get chains unless you are really planning driving in deep snow.Cables are much lighter, much easier to put on and much safer for the vehicle fenders, while will give you all the traction you might need in emergency.I don't think the chains on the picture, with spikes would be legal on most of the freeways anyway.

Les Schwab is a good choice for dealer. I don't have a chain recommendation. There are dealerships all over Oregon and Washington. Oregon doesn't have sales tax.

Good thing about Les Schwab is if you don't use them, return for full refund as well. Good piece of mind, especially if you don't "plan" to use them.

You must carry tire chains in the western states if you are over 10,000 pounds. You must have chains for the farthest rear axle on your trailer.Best is to stop by a Les Schwab. Buy the chains and then return them if you do not use them on your return trip.Chain requirementsChain requirements questions

Funny, I was buying gas cans in BC's "American Tire", becouse they are better and cheaper than the stuff I could buy in US. Can't imagine it would be opposite with snow chains.

Annual tire chain thread | Good Sam Community

brholt
Explorer II
Oct 19, 2015
I have been carrying these around for the last year or so:

Autosocks

Very compact, light weight, and easy to carry (I haven't bothered taking them out of the truck this summer).

The bag looks like this:

I doubt it weighs a pound. I haven't had to use them yet so no personal experience but they seem to be approved as a traction device in place of chains in Washington and many other states. I figure they are good insurance.
Reddog1
Explorer II
Oct 19, 2015
With your circumstance, why even order chains? Basically, you are making a bet. On your return, long before you get to the point you need chains, check the weather reports. You may not need chains. If you do, buy them in route. Everything considered, I doubt they would cost much more. Consider, a truck you probably paid several thousand for your truck, and several thousand for the TC. Now you are going to choke up paying $20 to $30 more for chains? I see Les Swab chains for less than $100, how much do you think you will save?

Wayne
HarmsWay
Explorer
Oct 19, 2015
I'm learning lots here. On a side note the Les Schwab chain return policy was sounding good until I read that you can't return them until April and apparently they are overpriced based on buyer comments. Since it is highly unlikely I would return them anyway its makes them less attractive. I'm leaving soon and I can avoid any need for them on the way down by waiting or rerouting, so I will likely order some to be delivered to me in Arizona. I left it too late to order from Canada.

bb_94401 wrote:

If you are going to get chains because you travel often in winter, you might as well get ones that work well in all conditions to get you safely in and out. That would be the cross bar reinforced or V-bar chains.

This is the way I'm leaning again although I still haven't decided about V-bar to get some off road capability vs regular twist link for more durability. I still don't plan to drive in snow though.

I'll order two sets which should make me legal in the western states and compliant with Ram.
Ace_
Explorer
Oct 18, 2015
Reddog1 wrote:
I would get chains simply cause some states require you to have them, needed or not...
Wayne

This. In Oregon you are legally required to carry chains in certain areas of the state (snow zones) during certain times of the year. This may not impact the OP, but the tallest pass on Interstate 5 is in Oregon and it closes every year.

I too will suggest Les Schwab, or any other retailer that offers a good selection and good return policy; although, the cost for a set of chains is minimal in the grand scheme of things. They take up relatively little room and are good "insurance" if you are traveling where you may need them. However, if you have a camper and are not in a hurry, you can usually wait for a storm situation to pass.
Reddog1
Explorer II
Oct 18, 2015
I have a set of these in the 19.5 size for my SRW '96 Dodge.

Diamond Tire Chains

Their chart says the Diamond type are poor for high torque diesel and towing.

Truck and SUV Tire Chain Application Recommendations**

Fortunately, after having them for over 7 years I don't know cause I have never used them. I have installed them, and that is real simple as the video shows.

Wayne
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Oct 18, 2015
One more reminder for those who are going into high mountains in winter.
Fill up before hitting higher elevations. Driving on chains consume much more fuel and roads gets closed overnight. That is lot of idling.
I also like to carry a gallon of water for windshield and lights washing.
Drinking too if I run out of beer.
jimh406
Explorer III
Oct 18, 2015
I'm with some of the other people on waiting if it is supposedly so bad you need chains. I carry two sets just in case.

I have Hankook DH-01s because they are about as aggressive as anyone makes in 19.5s. I have them siped as well. Sure, they are a waste on dry pavement, but if I can't go with those on, I expect I should stay where I am. In case you are wondering, I had these same tires on my former truck a SRW for 8 years. They always did awesome on snow even in two wheel drive. That was a daily driver although I don't daily drive my F450 since it can't fit where I need to park for work.
Reddog1
Explorer II
Oct 18, 2015
Got it.
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Oct 18, 2015
When you drive heavy vehicle with chains over concrete, it is like putting grinder on them.
WB I-80 is having about 4" deep crowns on right lane going up from Truckee - from grinding chains.
Cables do have rolls that make rolling contacts, preventing the grinding and rolls provide much more wear surface than thickens of wire in chain.
Reddog1
Explorer II
Oct 18, 2015
Now I think I got it. That was my understanding, but I was not sure.

I do not see how the chains would wear out on one trip. It appears to me that with dually chains or single chains, the wear would be the same in a given distance.

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