Chaining up a 4 wheel drive truck.

Stz ll · 01-04-2004, 08:53 AM

How would you chain up a 4 wheel drive truck.

kayakfisher · 01-04-2004, 09:07 AM

If I had only two wheels worth of chains I would put it in 4 WD and I would chain one wheel in front, and the wheel located diagonally to it in back. My thinking is that this arragement would make it less likely that the back end or the front end could spin out ie...if one end or the other had two chains on it the other end may be suseptible to spinning out.

If I had four chains I would chain them all if this set up proved to not be adequate.

Disclaimer: I have not had to chain my 4WD vehicles...i must not getting out often enough.

Woody · 01-04-2004, 09:17 AM

If you only have 1 pair, and you're using 4WD, chain the front. If you have 2 sets, of course you would do all 4.

One in the front and one in the back is a good way tear up some running gear!! Don't do it.

[ 01-04-2004, 10:19 AM: Message edited by: Woody ]

Freighter Bait · 01-04-2004, 09:21 AM

Chain up all four if you got em. Otherwise the front where the weight and steering control is. The back will follow along. Chain up to get out, not to get in. When your stuck with 4-wheel and chains, your stuck!

01-04-2004, 09:29 AM

All 4 or front

DownTime · 01-04-2004, 09:31 AM

Woody is right.If it is bad enough to put on chains,put it in 4wd and chain up the front if you only have one set.Also keep your speed down.35MPH is my max with chains on.Remember the reason you put the chains on in the first place is for traction.The faster you go the less traction you're gonna have.You are going to need a lot more room to stop.Also agree you are gonna break something if you put one chain on each axle!I have been driving professionally for many years,including big rigs with tandem trailers.

JB

WaterDog · 01-04-2004, 09:47 AM

If you have open diff's or even limited slip, the unchained tires will be the ones that spin and you'll go nowhere.

All front's or all backs if you have one set of chains.

edit: OREGON CHAIN LAW

[ 01-04-2004, 10:50 AM: Message edited by: WaterDog ]

kayakfisher · 01-04-2004, 10:18 AM

Woody,

How does it tear up running gear?

thanks...

m.

01-04-2004, 10:21 AM

KF,
Uneven load on the axles

jetsled1 · 01-04-2004, 10:29 AM

kayakfisher

If you were to chain one front and one opposite rear you would at "best" marginally improve traction and that would only be if you had a limited slip differential or a posi. if you had neither you would not improve anything as the unchained wheel would just spin, that wheel spinning would cause the spider gears to work more that designed to, they are there to let you go around corners without the inside tire hopping or skipping as it doesn't have as far to go. the outside tire traveles farther in a turn that the inside tire. if the truck only had a limmited slip diff. you could burn up the clutches that regulate the slip as one tire would have signifiantly more traction that the other.

Hope this helps.

kayakfisher · 01-04-2004, 10:41 AM

Thanks for the info...

I have a Ford Excursion 2000 with tractin tires (no studs) and bought two sets of chains for it...just in case. I got two sets because the guys at the Les S. store couldn't agree on what i should do if I only had one set...their final advise was that either chain the front or do a diagonal chain...but I am sure your good advice not to diagonally chain is correct...it sounds very logical.

I must admit...for a big vehicle it goes great in the snow. I may do a dry run with chains sometime this Feb while out near Santiam pass just for the heck of it, and see how much 4 chains helps. In dry snow not a big deal, but when it is all ice, and the temp is just in that special range...I am sure chains would be very needed.

thanks again.

M.

kayakfisher · 01-04-2004, 10:52 AM

By the way, am i the only one on the list that is too cautious to tow my boat in the snow and ice?

I have never done that...I am a new owner, have a fiberglass boat, no chains for the trailer, and no trailer brakes.

If I fish in the snow weather it will only by from my kayak... I am too chicken to tow a real boat in snow weather!

M.

Tilla · 01-04-2004, 02:38 PM

With some of the full time 4WD systems, the front only works when there is slippage. Chaining the rear is preferred if you have this type of system.

jetsled1 · 01-04-2004, 02:54 PM

Tilla,

Wouldn't chaining the rear eliminate any slippage there for not allowing the fronts to lock in?

PBR Streetgang · 01-04-2004, 02:55 PM

Ahhhhhhhhhhh.....

Les Schwab. My favorite place!

Tim

Chromaflage · 01-04-2004, 03:02 PM

Here's a chain-up gripe I have. When traveling over Mt. Hood, I have noticed several times that people are corced to chain up in the chain-up area. Last weekend, I pulled in to the chain-up area, which was piled with snow. The hwy, though was wet pavement with patchy snow. I sat there watching the oncoming traffic - no chains on most vehicles. So, I decided against the chains and proceed toward the summit. It was another 5 to 6 miles before the road conditions warrant chaining. I saw a lot of cars parked along the road near gov't camp trying to repair chains that were broken while driving on bare pavement.

BTW - I've got a Ford 1 Ton 4WD and aggressive AWT's - didn't need to put on chains the whole trip - just took it easy, kept in 4WD - no slippage.

ORS

Stz ll · 01-04-2004, 03:07 PM

The concern I have is not traction. My concern is being able to stop comming down hills or in emergency situations. Over the years I have seen several 4 wheel drive units pile into others who were stopped due to accidents etc. I don't know of any situation where 4 wheel drive will help you stop.

STGRule · 01-04-2004, 03:12 PM

That's why they call it 4 wheel drive, not 4 wheel stop.

lost_sailor · 01-04-2004, 06:10 PM

All 4

dampainter · 01-04-2004, 06:26 PM

all four or, if only one set of chains, rear end only and drive it only in two wheel drive or risk screwing up the transfer case.....

Lepper · 01-04-2004, 07:18 PM

I always did the front if I only had one pair..

The only time I've actually truely needed and used chains is when there was freezing rain all night and I had to get into to town. Then the chains came out and went on all 4 wheels..
d

Mr. Carp · 01-04-2004, 10:53 PM

Chain the front. Who cares about the best traction to go forward? Being able to turn is more important.

As far as chaining diagonal, as said before, most vehicles don't have limited slip or posi so the unchained tire will spin. As far as causing damage as some were saying, I don't buy it. What is the difference between going around a corner on dry pavement and on snow with chains??? One tire still spins slower.

I have been working with my dad snowplowing from Cougar to Northwoods and see to many idiots daily with there big lifted fancy 4x4's. They make them look like they are offroad machines, but won't even drive on the snow to get out of the way. Then they are driving on a sheet of ice with no chains pulling snowmobile trailers. They are always all over the road totally confused. Four wheel drive doesn't make you stop any better, just keeps you moving better. Besides, most of these "4x4's" are only two wheel drives anyway.

I guess all I am saying is be smart and know your limits. (And your vehicles limits)

glassblower · 01-05-2004, 03:35 AM

The correct way to chain it up is to chain all 4 tires, but if all you have is one pair put em on the front where the weight and steering are at. And if you only have them on the front keep in mind that sudden actions like letting off the gas all at once in a turn will cause the rearend of the rig to slide and spin you around. So take easy if they are on all 4, take it extra easy if they are only on the rear. G'luck.

01-05-2004, 05:35 AM

Mr.C,
It's a mater to time and distance. When turning it's only for a short distance and time. Running down the road for miles will do damage. I have limited slip differentials on my truck and in 4-wheel drive my steering feels funny on anything but snow and ice so I rarely run in 4-wheel drive on pavement.

It is funny seeing the jacked up trucks with big wide tires sliding down the road sideways or spinning out in the middle of the road. A few years ago I saw one tip over doing a slow speed left turn. Two days ago I pulled a young woman out of a snow bank that was running down the road with bad tires and 1 chain

[ 01-05-2004, 06:43 AM: Message edited by: Keta ]

WaterDog · 01-05-2004, 07:03 AM

For pick-ups , "most" of the time, you should have enough clearance to run chains on the front. If you have gone to a larger than stock tire (w/o a lift) make sure you have the clearance to run those chains. If you have airbags on the rear axle of your truck, check the clearance there as well.

Also, for those that have passenger cars, minivans, and SUV's, READ YOUR OWNER's MANUAL!!!! Some vehicles require a "special" type of "chain" because of clearance issues. You don't want to find out you don't have clearance the hard way.

:smile:

greenbuttskunk · 01-05-2004, 08:48 AM

the front on 4x4's, for sure. Works for me. The funny thing is seeing folks in front wheel drive cars chaining up in back. Blows my mind.

OceanBlue · 01-05-2004, 09:10 AM

All 4 for 4X4

Front for AWD

Waterdog - Yes. I found this out when I went to Schwab for chains. They said I required "S" class chains and they could fix me up with a "no-profile" strap on stud type of gizmo. $325 bucks!

I said no thanks and went on my way.

Then changed my mind because even with the AWD, some of the passes (not to mention roads in town) were requiring CHAINS - regardless of any other traction devices. So I headed back to Schwab, ready to bite the bullet, but the line was out the door and around the block. Instead of stopping, I inquired at GI Joes. ALL of their chains were "S" class chains. Yeeehaaaw! I have chains for about $60!

Definitely check the owner's manual for chain type, which tires to put them on as well as max recommended speed to drive with chains (mine says 19 MPH)

Mr. Carp · 01-05-2004, 09:35 AM

Keta,

I agree conpletely about driving forward on dry pavement in 4x4. The gear ratios are usually different by a smidge and can cause bad wear in the drivetrain components. Someone was saying that driving in a circle with one chain on is somehow worse than driving in a circle on dry pavement. Just pointing out that fallacy.

4x4's do drive really weird when you make sharp turns in good traction. It is just the nature of the beast. You should try driving on the pavement when you have a posi frontend because you blew up the rear end. Drives pretty akward.

Gone Fishin · 01-05-2004, 09:53 AM

I just got back from Bend, left Saturday morning and came back Sunday morning (had to get my daughter back to college after Christmas break).
Chains were required from Detroit to Sisters and vice-versa on the way home. I have a 3/4 ton 4 wheel drive, chained the rear as I always do, put her (the truck not the daughter

) in 4 wheel drive and didn't get over 35 mph. No problemo.

id. painter · 01-05-2004, 10:02 AM

We have been getting snowed on since X-mas night, day after day and I have yet to see a rig chained up.
Yesterday I made a 25 mile drive to American Falls Id. and back. I saw three semi's crashed and about 5 personal vehic's wrecked or off the road. Why cant people slow down?
Yesterday,, Im crawling along on solid ice , in 4 wheel drive and here comes a car going way too fast ,, you know the type ,, going about 65mph,and pulls up behind me , right on my butt, then out into the powder to pass me .. Who are these people ? There must be some of you out there,,,,, SLOW DOWN ,,, PLEASE. id. painter

FallRiverGuy · 01-05-2004, 12:16 PM

I have yet to chain up my 4X4. I would not have thought to chain the front. Has anyone done it both ways; putting chains on either the front two or back two as a comparision. With the 4-wheel drive it seems that steering would improved simply by the front wheels having power. Of course I have studs so my front end responds well on snow and ice as is.

Coming over HWY 26 after Christmas I saw many trucks and some vans without chains having touble in stop and go traffic. The problem, besides not putting on chains when they should have, was the road was slopped off to one side. When they tried to start moving again the rear end would slide in the direction of the slope which was into the oncoming lane. One van slid right across the other lane and bounced off the guard rail. Several trucks were in the same pickle. It seems that having chains on the rear would have prevented this from happening. yes I think that a 4X4 in 4-wheel drive could have the same trouble with just street tires. It was very slick.

Mello-Yello · 01-05-2004, 12:59 PM

I don't know what the 'official' way is, or if there is an official method at all. I have always chained the front first on a 4x4. The back of the vehicle follows the front. You get the front going in the right direction and the rear will follow.

Ever drive a front-wheel drive car in snow? Sahweet!

The only time I've ever had to chain the rear was for pushing snow in the mountains.

M-Y