Ideas about chains for the pick-up?

[mnhunter2]

Looking for advice on tire chains for the pickup, got stuck 3 times this weekend and couldn't get up the landing without a pull from 2 pickups hooked together.

[slurpie]

They are the ticket brothers s10 goes threw alot but when you get stuck it can suck.

[leroy77]

I dont leave home without them. With that said if you are off the beaten path it is still a matter of ground clearance. I have gotten my 1/2 to 4x4 stuck a number of times with chains. If you pay attention to where the deeper drifts are you should be fine, you dont want to get high centered and bottom out on the frame that can be a pain to dig out!!

[Lill13]

Just went to Fleet and picked some up myself. Have gotten stuck the last 3 times out. The crusty snow seems to catch me and then I can't get off the ice. Pretty easy to get unstuck (one person can push it). Maybe I'm just not the best driver?? Anyway, I can't imagine I will get stuck anymore, but if anyone has tips on how to use em, I'd love to hear...

[slipperybob]

You can still get stuck with chains in high snow drifts, but you will get more traction with chains.

[fowldreams]

Been using chains on the rear for about a month now. Also picked mine up at Fleet Farm. Lay the chains out, drive on and pull to lock. I also run bungees on the outer side of the chains to keep excess tight. Hope it helps

[CrappieNight]

If you have shift-on-the-fly 4x4 then I would suggest putting chains on the front tires and only use them when you need them. When you get overly confident with the chains and get stuck, you're really stuck.

I've been running chains on cars and trucks as long as I've been able to drive. I even ran chains on my old crown vic.

Same logic you apply to 4 wheel drive, don't use it until your stuck. If your 4x4 or chains get you stuck, then you'll be there a while.

[Lill13]

So one person says put on em on the front, another says on the back, one person says put em on right away, another says wait until you are stuck...

Well anyway, getting stuck is always a possibility, but a good shovel is always the key. At least with chains and some shoveling I know I can get going again.

[highlife4me]

You may want to try adding weight to the back of your truck. Secure a couple hundred pounds in the box and you may be suprised how much that helps. I have used the tubes of sand, that way if you got stuck a little loose sand helped to get out.

[olbaidhh]

Whatever chains you get... look at getting the "Z" type or diamond as opposed to the bar type.

With the Z type and diamond chains you always have chain on the ice. Bar types do not.

[bikeoutback]

another says wait until you are stuck...

I want to know how you get them on when your already stuck? Someone is going to have to explain it to me cause logically I'm thinking if I'm stuck how am I going to drive onto the chains? I suppose you can wedge them against the tire and drive a little and hop it shoots them through but that doesn't sound easy or safe at all.

But what do I know, it took me 12 minutes before I finally pulled out the manual to read that I had to put the truck in neutral in order to get it to go into 4 low last time I was stuck and then I popped the truck right out.

[Lill13]

I had the same issue...

[herefish101]

No matter what, bring a good shovel, an aluminum grain scoup is what I use, at least that way if you get stuck you just need to shovel for a bit and then you'll get going again. With that said, I have never used chains on my truck, I'v only been stuck twice. I think alot of it has to do with tires, next time your in the tire market look for a more agressive all terrain tire, they'll work wonders.

[Panfish Guy]

Check out the video! http://www.tirechain.com/car_chaininstallationinstruction.htm

[Greg Clusiau]

Fishing partner had chains on his 2-wheel drive pickup many years ago and I was really surprised at where he went with those things. Pretty amazing but every once in a while a chain would come off and if I'm not mistaken, he may have wrapped it around a brake-line!

[slipperybob]

If you have only one set of tire chains, on 4X4 vehicle, you'll want to do one front one rear. It's the best way in difficult to drive conditions. If you've put on chains for Hummers in the military, you would do just that with one set of chains. If it's easier to drive conditions, you can do both front or both rear, your choice.

You want your chains on, before you get stuck. You have to anticipate where you're going and what you're going to deal with. No point in getting stuck shoveling for how many minutes just to get the chains on the tires. Better to have the chains on and before hand and avoid that event. You may still get stuck with chains on, even with four tires chaions just depends on where and when your vehicle bottoms out.

[Kyhl]

Sounds like you can't go wrong. Everyone has their own way of doing things.

My theory is front or back and put them on before you get into trouble. I've only run them on the rear though.

Not front and back unless you do all four. If you do one front and one back you will most likely spin the unchained tires while the chained ones sit there connected to the ice because of the differential.

That is, unless you have two solid differentials like a spool or air-locker that can be locked solid.