Tire chains on front or back of 4x4?

[RobertN]

I asked; the rental place does not supply chains at all. They didn't really say anything more than that even when I mentioned getting a set.

that said, the rental place is going to allow you to chain up???

Better ask about that. You chain up without specific/in writing permission and do damage to the vehicle and your trip is going to get very expensive.

 

[RobertN]

Before he retired, my uncle did trips from Thermopolis to Cheyenne and Laramie. He had a trip where he did chain up his 4x4 because of ice and wind. In reality, probably should have telecommuted for that meeting...

No but studded snow tire sure did come in handy. Half the idiots in Cheyenne should just stay inside when it snows because they drive really stupid in snow and ice. Same goes for Denver.

 

[dickfoster]

Before he retired, my uncle did trips from Thermopolis to Cheyenne and Laramie. He had a trip where he did chain up his 4x4 because of ice and wind. In reality, probably should have telecommuted for that meeting...

For a while I commuted daily between Cheyenne and Denver. It was mid winter of course. I did it in a little Opel GT too. Studded snows made all the difference.

 

[civilian]

What is your intended route? Are you crossing mountain passes on the freeways that might require chains? Might check with state DOT sites for chaining info.

Years ago in SoCal mtns, we chained the front axles of ours Jeeps while playing around on forest trails. Don't remember why my buddy said to chain front axles. Also remember having to go back for a chain saw to trim a tree that prevented him from going forward or backwards. (he slid in between two trees!) Jon

 

[RobertN]

Update: South Pass in central Wy was closed, so had to go back to Rock Springs, over to Laramie, and then head north. Hit heavy wind and snow still. But, the roads were kept in good shape by plows; truckers were doing 50-65mph thru the wind and blowing snow. Had a few white out conditions, and some deer jumping out on a turn. Snow was lite and fluffy though, compared to Sierra Cement...

Took it easy, and made it families house. Day after was my aunt's memorial; I think that was tougher than driving in the wind and snow.

Coming home, South Pass was open with 4x4 or chains required. The wind howling at South Pass was drifting snow and causing near zero visibility for a few miles, even though it was a bright sunny day.

Otherwise, rest of road conditions for trip were good.

AWD Explorer really was nice to drive.

 

[bcp]

Long ago I was told that chains on the front only causes you to drive the way an arrow with no feathers flies.



Bruce

 

[Looking4new]

IF I need to chain up MY vehicle, I do it all the way around. The big truck (2001 Freightliner FLD120SD) I chain one steer tire, the drives (both axles) and one trailer tire. Even though the trailer is duals, one tire is enough.

 

[Snobdds]

Long ago I was told that chains on the front only causes you to drive the way an arrow with no feathers flies.



Bruce

Yea, chaining up the front steering wheels makes any turn hard. It's like having a front locker in the differential. Steering wheels need some slipage to make a turn correctly.

I have had to chain up all 4 only a couple of times in my life. That is when I need to break trail in 4 feet of snow to my cabin.

 

[ch1ch2]

Interesting post!
My limited experience...chain drive tires, if 4wd chain front steering tires. All military wheeled vehicles were chained on the front drive wheels. We had one guy chain his rear tires, cause he said everyone else was***. We were going along the side of a mountain sliding in the mud and snow. His non-chained steering tires followed the incline down the hill. Everyone else had chain front tires which dug in, in the direction they wanted to go.

 

[Oldstuff]

I have had chains on all 4 wheels of a 4wd Jeep in some really deep snow and it worked very good. A few years later a guy told me to try one chain on the front and one on the rear opposite corner and it worked very well also. The advantage of a chain on the front is you can steer very well.