I'm in So Cal and truly have no experience with snow chains at all. I'm trying to get the rig into good enough shape where I can throw the cab over camper in it and take a trip back to Missouri to visit my sister. Thinking snow chains might be a good thing to throw in the rig just encase they are needed.

So do I really need the chains to cover both rear tires or can I get by with just the outer rears being chained? Is that even legal to leave the inner's not chained? I'm thinking that they will never get used but it could be cheap insurance if nothing else. Being I doubt they will even get used I obviously dont want to get too crazy with the cost so what should I look for in buying snow chains? Is there anything that is not obvious in installing or using snow chains? Here in So Cal if it snows I take one of the 4x4's and its not an issue. Thanks for the guidance and direction. It truly is appreciated.

 

I see many rigs with the chains only on the outers.

 

outters only, never seen anyone even try to chain the inners-

 

You can get away with single chains on the outer wheels if your primary concern is ice. However in snow once you dig the chained tire down 1" you are spinning on the bare inner. You should be able to run dual chains, however it would be a good idea to check the clearance between the inner dual and the leaf spring. If you get dual chains make sure they are 3 rail and fit properly before you leave on your trip. Also tie back the excess chain links with wire or bungees as they can wreak havoc on fiberglass fenders and parking brake cables when they get to whipping around.

 

Thanks for the advise...

this gives me a lot to think about.

 

If it's snow, you're much better off doing all 4 tires... period, end of discussion... trust me... you'll just end up diggin a hole with the chined up tires and the non-chained ones will sit and spin like you didn't have any chains on at all.
I use the cable chains on the inside and the standard chain link chains on the outers. The cable chains are easier to adjust and take up less room both on the spring side and the between tire gap. Remember to install and then after a miile of two, stop and check real good! for loose chains will tear up thy truck real good.

 

Just the outside rears are enough for the highway patrol to let you by when the chains required sign is up.

In over 50 years of driving in the north the only time I ever had to chain up to get by was on I-5 at the Calif/Oregon border.
The road that day was better than most Montana roads are every day in the winder.

Going off the pavement on a unplowed road is a whole different story, I would chain up the front and the outside rears.