tirechain recommendations?

2wd pickup is best served by getting some weight in the back. Big problem is getting some weight that will stay where it is supposed to if you run into something. Concrete blocks and old engines tend to come sailing though the cab when you hit a snow bank. Best I 've ever seen was a piece of steel plate as a bed liner.

But you asked about chains: In terms of increasing traction you have cables, standard link chains, toothed link chains, and for serious off road you can get double linked (twice as many cross links) chains. Some vehicles (most cars) can only use the cable type due to lack of clearance. Much of the clearnace problems is on the sides when you turn.

I suspect that your PU will take the standard cha> looking to purchase a set as after last year I have decided that I need to

thanks I have a couple of large angle plates that I use for traction, I bolt them to the frame though the existing rear bed bolts but I needed more traction last year , I haven't looked at snow tires yet though,

should I put them on the front tires as well?

I might that when you purchase the bungy things to tension them with, you purchase an extra set and leave it unopened. You may never need it, but when you do you will *really* be glad to have it.

Jon

Invest in a spare set of wheels and mount some studded tires. If you use the studs in the Winter season they will never wear out. Putting chains on and taking them off is not a pleasant job. I used truck inner tubes filled with sand in the back for weight. In a realy bad situation you had a ready source of tractionimprover. Randy

I agree that nothing beats chains for traction, but they are a pain to put on and take off -- and with the vehicles I have had the ride ends up being pretty bad on everything except soft snow or mud. I'd consider a good set of snow tires. I used to think that all season tires were adequate until I tried a set of real snow tires. Now I am hooked. I have a set of Bridgestone Blizaks on my Cooper. Until it runs out of ground clearance, it feels like it has four wheel drive! A side benefit is that the aluminum wheels stay in the garage and never see salt.

Mill

You need a fair amount of weight, perhaps 400 or so pounds, should go fairly close to the rear axle centerline. Further back and you increase the "polar moment of inertia" and is tends to spin out. Bolting them down is an EXCELLENT idea.

I really don't see much use for chains on the front for normal snow. If you get the nasty ice storms like you see in Georga then you might consider front chains. Ya gotta go, ya gotta stop, and ya gotta steer.

Consider some new tires. A full set of new, agressive All Terrain tires does wonders. I do not like the Mud Terrain type tires for most normal winter driving (mixed dry, snow, wet, slush, road driving). The big lugs are great in deep snow but are really treacherous on ice or wet/slushy asphalt.

I'd put some decent tires on, add the 400 pounds, keep a set of chains with the cross bar teeth and you should be good to go. Won't keep up with a decent 4x4 but better than 98% of the other drivers.

One last thing: keep your speed down to 35-45mph with chains on. Take them off as soon as possible, stay off bare pavement

For what it is worth: I used to borrow a 3/4 t> thanks I have a couple of large angle plates that I use for traction, I bolt

On Sun, 19 Dec 2004 20:11:15 -0600, "williamhenry" calmly ranted:

I recently heard that snow tires are actually for ice and don't work well in deep snow. (Confirmation, guys?)

In CA, chains are required on all 4 tires, in OR, just on the drive axle. Check your state laws for your own requirements.

I'm sure glad we don't get much snow up here in Grass Pants.

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Yep, if you dont have 4wheel drive I wouldnt chain up the front. If you want traction all thru winter you dont want to have to keep mucking with chains, off on decent days, back on when it turns bad. Studs are the way to go unless you do some serious off-roading. Some states have restrictions on what months you have to remove them.

Virginia made studs legal for a few years, and then outlawed then again. AFIK, that is where the matter sits today.

Good Luck, DoN.

Snow comes in all types and that changes what works best . I carry chains in everything . Lots of good suggestions already . The road I live on is low traffic so see's snow plows last . I think if the problem is hard pack or ice , studs are the simplest solution . If its wet heavy snow , chains are the only option worth looking at . Cable chains are simple to put on , just do not spin them or they will be history . If you have steep hills then steel cross links are very good but max speed drops way off compared to cables . Warning . I have slid backwards with steel chains spinning , guess everything has it's limits ;-) and some one has to test them . Steel chains need something to make sure if you throw one it comes off the outside . If lost inward they wipe out brake lines or wrap up tight enough only a cutting torch removes them . I know both from experience :-( . I use heavy rubber tarp straps , two per wheel . As to putting them on front wheels of two wheel rear drives . I like it as being able to steer is always a plus ;-) . If I have two sets I would always put them on , belt and suspender guy I guess . My advice would be to phone up some local trucking firms and ask them what works best in your area . Local advice is what you really need . Real snow tires beat Allseasons by a wide margin and these days they make some exceptional ones . Luck Ken Cutt