Auto tire chains

[diesel lover]

I used tire chains on my open diff international 4700. The duals are terrible in the ice, but tire chains make it very manageable in the wintertime(I use dual tire chains meaning all 4 tires on the rear have chain on them). The open diff doesn't slow me down much either even when pulling a trailer. It really sucks throwing them on, but I wouldn't be able to get out of the driveway sometimes without them on!
QUOTE]
So i have to ask what are you using your meduim duty international for in the winter? Sounds like your hauling equipment around to plow snow? Do you have to drive down the road with your chains on? Pictures would be great if possible, thanks

 

[Wolfy]

Be carefull with a locked diff in the winter. You can slide out of control and end up off the road.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Actually, I used to haul hay alot in the winter time. So half the trip was unloaded and not fun. The trailer fully loaded wasn't any better for traction since it wasn't heavy enough to load the rear axle even with new M+S tires. The township roads sometimes I do chain up one if there is a significant grade or the road conditions are poor. I have been known to go rescue some broken down vehicles in the winter time as well.

 

[Verticaltrx]

Get a set of chains and keep them behind the seat for really bad conditions. You also need a set of decent tires, there are several types of modern snow tires available. Lastly, keep some weight in the bed. If you find yourself out and it starts snowing bad, keep a shovel handy and just load the bed up with snow for extra weight. BTW, the difference of chains vs no chains will be just as pronounced with an open diff vs a limited slip. I use chains on vehicles with open diffs all the time and they do make a huge difference.

 

[diesel lover]

Get a set of chains and keep them behind the seat for really bad conditions. You also need a set of decent tires, there are several types of modern snow tires available. Lastly, keep some weight in the bed. If you find yourself out and it starts snowing bad, keep a shovel handy and just load the bed up with snow for extra weight. BTW, the difference of chains vs no chains will be just as pronounced with an open diff vs a limited slip. I use chains on vehicles with open diffs all the time and they do make a huge difference.

Thanks for the advice! last winter I tried to keep my fuel above half a tank at all times, I kept a short handled flat head shovel like for gardening, 4 bags of tube sand in the bed adding up to 240 pounds, and a bucket of road salt which is ideal for shoving tightly in front and behind tires when my vehicle or someone else's has become trapped on the ice, and I would get methanol washer fluid from my job. The methanol washer fluid has an unbelievable ability to melt ice. Smells pretty bad to most people lol! I always keep a stretchable recovery strap as well.

While I am shopping for better winter tires I'm am also trying to decide if I should get tire chains or the tire cables. I'm skeptical of the cables but im hearing good things about them as well. I would like to walk into a store and get tire chains rather than order online but i might have to get them online.

I have noticed more expensive tire chains may tighten up on the tires better and also they may last longer. Just not sure what to get as far as automotive chains go but $60 to $120 is a great buy if they are needed while trying to get home safely. As I mentioned before during the winter I need to get around. When I need to plow snow I have to get there and back so I can earn extra income.

 

[kevinwak]

I used to have a truck just like yours. 97 F150 long bed 2wd. Mine ha the 4.6 V8 and limited slip diff. At first I ran Cooper Discoverer studded winter tires In the rear. That truck became unstoppable. I could go off-roading in the winter in places friends in their 4wf with all season tires were getting stuck. I also had a set of tire chains for it. I only used them twice, but in one case it saved me having to get somebody to find me and tow me out when I was ten miles into the bush and slid off the side if a cutline.
I later had Bridgestone blizzaks on it. They are treat tires, and I have a set for my wife's van now, but the studded coopers were better.
For weight I had two Rubbermaid tubs full of sand strapped down and with a 2X6 in front of them to keep them from sliding. I started using three of the 18"X24" concrete sidewalk blocks in my current truck for weight. They sit flat on the box bottom so I still have full use if the bed.

Sent from my iPhone using TractorByNet

 

[diesel lover]

I have heard the cooper discoverer are perfect snow tires! Just as well I am still considering studded tires. They just sound unbeatable. I have two old rims to install the studded tires on as well. Is it okay to drive with studded tires on dry pavement if the ice were to melt? For instance, if I were to drive to work with ice and snow and then on the way home the roads were clear and melted would it be extremely harmful to the studs to drive on pavement? And yes I have read that studs cause tires to not stop well on pavement

 

[Capricious]

".. more expensive tire chains may tighten up on the tires better .."



You might want to get some of those rubber chain tensioners, or at least a handfull of short & stout rubber bungee cords.

I would get chains. If you eventually end up with a 4WD, you can modify the chains and use them on a tractor.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

The studded tires usually have time restrictions on them. Say Oct-March? Drive them anytime in there. The tire chains def have an art to getting them on, god bless ya if you can get them tight without readjusting after a couple revolutions. Studded tires are fantastic and are usually fairly cheap. My dad has told me stories about having a trans am in Alaska with all 4 tires studded and he never had a problem except the stones eating away his rear quarter panels. Any thing that is designed for snow and ice will work better than an all season tire. When I had my 1 ton SRW diesel, I used to carry 600 lbs of sand in the bed just so I could ease out out on the ice and snow intersections(With alimited slip). With the toque those trucks pump out, its a fine art to pull away in 2wd. Drop it into 4x4 though and that heavy motor really made the front tires grip well. I'll second the unstoppable comment from above about the open diff 2wd Heavy duty trucks being a tank in the snow. I can push snow with the front bumper on the international when I have the chains on. I don't make a habit of it, but sometime you have to haul hay and the guy doesn't have things plowed out yet!

 

[Dave M7040]

Consider screw in tire studs. Large graders and loaders use them and they have a size for trucks.
You put them in in the fall and remove them in the spring using a cordless drill and a supplied tool.
Trucks Tires Studs - Ice Studs - Snow Studs | Maxigripstore
Dave M7040