Tire chains needed?

[bkenobi]

My 16 Ram has new Open Range tires coupled with 4wd. The NL is not the heaviest, but fully loaded I'm around 12k. If I head over certain passes in the right months I am required to carry chains (over 10k in CA as I recall). I dont think I really need them and would be unlikely to push it if the weather was actually bad. That said, I need to carry something to be legal. Any recommendations on something that would be small storage but effective when installed? Ideally something quicker to install would be better since I dont expect to use them regularly enough to get practice. It hasn't snowed in NW WA yet so prices haven't spiked. Would like to get before they do or find a sale if there is such a thing.

EDIT: tires are 295/70R18 if it matters

[bighatnohorse]

specta wrote:
Auto Socks look like they were made for a Prius. LOL

Do some research. They have been shown to work on big rig trucks too.

[specta]

bkenobi wrote:
FWIW, Les Schwab has cables for 170ish and chains for 150ish. Gonna take a look tomorrow. Was about to order from the link but shipping appeared to cost over $40 for some reason.

Try Amazon, if you are a Prime customer free delicery.
I just now ordered these,

Amazon

[specta]

Auto Socks look like they were made for a Prius. LOL

[bkenobi]

FWIW, Les Schwab has cables for 170ish and chains for 150ish. Gonna take a look tomorrow. Was about to order from the link but shipping appeared to cost over $40 for some reason.

[mountainkowboy]

brholt wrote:
I carry these:

Auto Socks

They seem to be allowed chair replacements everywhere and they are very easy to carry.
I have never had to use them so I can't comment on how well they work.

Those are interesting.....

[bkenobi]

brholt wrote:
I carry these:

Auto Socks

They seem to be allowed chair replacements everywhere and they are very easy to carry.
I have never had to use them so I can't comment on how well they work.

Those certainly look light and compact and if they pass for compliance that would be great. But, if you actually use them, I do wonder about durability. Seems driving on bare pavement with fabric socks wouldn't do well long term.

[specta]

In my younger day's I thought chains were awesome and loved putting them on and hitting the ugly as aggressive as I could.

I had two sets of Weed V-Bar chains, one set for the front and another for the rear.

I had a Detroit Locker in the rear and a Ford Trac-Loc with an extra clutch stuffed in each side of the carrier and a modified 400 cid.

It ripped thru anything............ :E

Then I grew up and today I hate chains.

And I just ordered a set of Diamond Back Chains for my current truck.
I've never had a truck that I didn't have a set of chains for.
I seriously doubt that I will ever use them.
About the only chance would be to wake up in the back woods with a good 18" of new snow on the ground and more on its way.

[Grit_dog]

specta wrote:

jshupe wrote:

My idea is that if I ever run into a situation where I need chains, I'll turn around or sit it out,

I would accept the challenge and proceed onward. :B

10-4...Can't get to the good snow without gettin into the good snow!

[brholt]

I carry these:

Auto Socks

They seem to be allowed chair replacements everywhere and they are very easy to carry.
I have never had to use them so I can't comment on how well they work.

[time2roll]

Grit dog wrote:
Or you could drive a 4x4 for when chit happens! Lol

Depending on gross weight, towing and conditions the 4WD does not exempt you from chain requirements.

[jaycocreek]

G-Dog wrote:
Or you could drive a 4x4 for when chit happens!

It was all the 4X4's stuck in the video's that got me thinking about the Maxtrax..Every single video was a 4X4 stuck and the Maxtrax got them out..

Besides,they look kool on a ladder rack..The majority of the video's I have seen,the Maxtrax gets them out except for one inebriated truck camper having to much fun..LOL

[specta]

jshupe wrote:

My idea is that if I ever run into a situation where I need chains, I'll turn around or sit it out,

I would accept the challenge and proceed onward. :B

[Eric_Lisa]

bkenobi wrote:
...Ideally something quicker to install would be better since I dont expect to use them regularly enough to get practice....

I have been pretty happy with the chains from Les Schwab (a Pacific NW tire shop chain for those located elsewhere). IIRC, they will sell you a set of chains for around $100 or so. If you do not open the carrying bag, you can return them after the snow season for a full refund.

I ended up getting surprised back in 2014 when I was in Eugene, and coming home to NW Oregon. I failed to note that the snow was coming from the south and thought I had plenty of time to drive home. Thus I had the car and not the truck. Ooops. All the freeways were dead stopped, so I took the back roads up the valley. The chains broke outside of Corvallis, so I went to the south Les Schwab that repaired them. That repair lasted until the north Corvallis Les Schwab, where I bought a new set that got me home. I left the old set with them to repair and stopped back there a few weeks later. They couldn't repair them so they handed me a new set. By coincidence they also fit the front tires on my Kubota tractor, so no complaints.

Yes, they are quick & easy to install. Do a test run before the snow hits to figure out the system. Once I learned how they worked, it is a no-brainer install.

HTH,
-Eric

[Grit_dog]

jaycocreek wrote:
Tire chains have always been part of my GVWR because chit happens and there are other uses for them..I carry heavy duty V-bars..I am considering getting a pair of Maxtrax(clones) because it seems I am always getting the call to help get someone out..Besides,they look Kool on the TC ladder rack..LOL

Or you could drive a 4x4 for when chit happens! Lol

[jaycocreek]

jshupe wrote:
Just curious, because I've never had to deal with this before - do you typically have to have a set of chains for each tire on a DRW? Do you need them for front axle too? Do you need them for any trailer axles?

My idea is that if I ever run into a situation where I need chains, I'll turn around or sit it out, but I'd like to carry the minimum for legal compliance if ever needed.

Generally you just need a set of single chains for the outside tire of a DRW..And I do agree..In a bad storm just sit it out,that's the good thing about a TC or RV..