I'm going to be in the Rocky Mountain National Park and Summit county area for 2 1/2 weeks during October. Do I need to worry about having a set of tire chains or cables with me? I've already aquired extra fuel filters and a belt for the drive (from Chicago).

 

Hm, no one ever uses chains on the board? Maybe I'm being overly cautious. Does anyone own tire chains?

 

I'm done buying chains. Every time buy a new set of chains, I buy new tires that won't fit.

You'll probably be okay w/out them, but it may be worth your peace of mind.

 

Not much snow around here...

 

Do you have 4 wheel drive? if not Id get the chains, if so probally not.

 

I carry chains in the winter for the following reasons:

1. I use to because the Michelin LTX A/S is not a good winter tire, and I needed chains once in awhile. I like the Les Schwab 'alpine chains', which are evidently a Laclede square link 'easy fit' chain.

2. With studded severe snow rated winter tires I've been on ice where the truck started sliding towards the edge of the road, while I was idling and waiting for someone to get pulled out of a ditch. It was raining and then forming ice, so the ice was 'soft' and there wasn't anything for the studs to bite into. I chained up and made it up the 700 ft or so hill that we live on. The only other vehicles that I saw out were large 4wd with chains, and at work I overheard poeple saying that they were sliding around in their cars even with chains on, which I assumed was due to using cable chains on a light vehicle. I think this is about as bad as it gets :^)

3. Around here chains may be required for certain roads or passes, regardless of vehicle or tires, an dit's enforced by state patrol.

4. Chains actually make sense to carry for off road non-winter conditions too, but I usually don't carry them for that.

Chains are fashionable, but sometimes it's the ONLY way you'll be bale to get around.

 

I meant to say chains are not fashionable.

 

Chains are standard issue in my company truck. I've worn out two sets this year already - summer mud and winter ice. But, these are not normal places ethe average person is required to go.

I've never used them on normal public roadways - highway or otherwise.

Note: If you got 'em, chain up the rear only unless you have a lift kit / get them tight / and travel maximum 35 mph on stock tires - there's limited room for slap. Running oversize tires further limits clearance to mudflaps and fenders. If you put them on the front, they'll rip off your fenders as soon as you turn the steering wheel. One of our newbies found this out the hard way.

 

What are you dually guys running for chains? Do you run the chains made for duals, or just run single tire chains? If singles, do you put it on the inner, or outer tire? Any problems rubbing between tires?

Thanks

Steve

 

Great commentary guys. So I'm hearing that it isn't crazy to think that I might need them, since we'll be travelling some of the less travelled passes. Also, that you only use them on the rear. Lastly, are the cable style useless, and I should stick with the regular link? What about the diamond pattern I'm seeing out there?

 

I live just north of the park and sure would have chains with me if I was there that long in Oct. They already have been dusted with snow.

 

I carry a set all winter, and I have a 4x4. Tirechains.com is a great place to get them. For a dually, all you need are a set of singles if you are going to be on the road.
I don't see 4x4 in your rig, so you might want to get a steering chain for one wheel up front.

 

dang i just realized that the pair I bought last year and never used will now not fit because of the new tire/wheel combo.

thanks for jogging the memory. I'll give to my buddy with a completely stock 03 with auto.

 

Some states requier that you have with you check the states that you will be in.
IMHO I would have them for a safe peice of mind.

whiskey

 

On DRW's, I'd just run singles on the outside tire - unless you were going to be in deeper mud, then on both. For pickups, I run a "v-bar" cross member. Anything larger, like OTR trucks, run "trigs" - they are stronger and have a slightly longer spike. IMHO, cable chains are useless. Someone mentioned a steering chain - I'd avoid if possible - there doesn't appear to be any more clearance in the wheel than a Ford Superduty and I've actually witnessed chains ripping the fenders off a truck from one of our newbies - I had to do the incident investigation in fact - I'll try to locate a pic although I believe I no longer have it - new laptop for work and it was in the old one.