I am new to having a dually and would like to know if I put the chains on the inside wheel or the outside wheel.

And do most people put their first set of chains on the front wheels or the back if they only have one set of chains to put on the truck and you are in 4 wheel drive.

Thanks

 

Buy a set of dually chains for the rear. If you only have one set of singles I would put them on the front.

 

Slight hi-jack. As usual for me.

I have not been able to find a set for the 17" duals...any suggestions where I can obtain a set? 235-80-R17's.

Thanks

 

Scotty,
Try this link http://www.tirechain.com/235-80R-17.htm

 

I have 2 dual trucks and chain up singles on the back. I chain up the outside wheel Dual chains are big, heavy, and unwieldy. They do work somewhat better, but too much hassle for me.

I carry four chains for both rigs. I chain up back first. Then I chain the front. Only had to do that once for a bad ice day in Kodiak. Road was so slick you couldn't walk on it. Fortunately I had spiked logging boots with me.

 

here try this link http://www.tirechain.com/235-80R-17.htm

 

Thanks for the links to the chain links.

 

Scotty - PrincessAuto has tire chains for that tire size for $110 a pair. SkU 8405821

 

I recently picked up two sets at Titan in Edmonton. Very impressed with them, they have cams with a key. I just checked the size and 235/80R17 is included in the ones I bought.

 

Now that ya’ll are done hijacking the tread, I’ll try to answer the question.
The experience that I have tells me to chain the rears up first.
Keep two short pieces of 2x4 or 2x6 in the truck and simply drive the inside duel up onto them put the chains on the outside and drive off. Much easier than laying the chains over the tire and driving forward.
If it gets so bad that you need more than the rears then you most likely should not be on the road anyway. Yes I know there are exceptions but not normally.
Yes I know Texans are not supposed to know anything about driving in snow and ice.

 

Thanks, I'll be there later today.

I'm never really done hi-jakkin a thread. LOL Thats a good pc of info about the chain up. Theres always a few chunks of wood on board in my truck.

Since I have skewed the thread a bit whats the way to chain a trailer when needed? One DOT told me the forward axle wheels. Another said rear axle wheels. In my opinion if I need to chain up to that extent, its time for a coffee break.

OK, back on track now before the moderators come.

 

Outside tires, rear. Front tires if pushing a plow blade.
Trailer tires, either set, although I heard about guys doing one front and one rear on the trailer. If I was going to do something like that, I would do all 4. Main thing is, if towing in snow or ice, slow WAY way down. We were in the middle of over 150 big rigs, going across Nebraska a few years back. Ice 2 inches thick, and slicker than owl snot. That big conga line drove no more than 20 mph, and that was fast at that for the conditions. Mostly it was 5-10 mph. I had it in 4wd, with all terrain tires, no chains at all. only slipped slightly 2 times. Slow does it.
The only time I chain up front and rear is when I am pulling people out of the ditch. We don't do that much anymore.

 

I have a rear drive dually and just chain the outside tires. I also tried to drive up on 2x6 on the inside tires. I spun the boards under the truck behind me and just left them there.....for someone else to use. Good idea gone bad. haha

I find that I just lay the chains out neatly v-bars down on the ground and roll about a third of the way over them. That way I can throw the long lenght over the tire and grab the short one for hook up. I usually have to choke up once I get them hooked up. I have a set of rubber bungy cords that I use to pull the chains up tight. Tighter the better so they don't come loose.

Be carefull you don't ever drop the inside link while connected between the tires. A passenger tried to help remove the chains and did this. I nearly left him on the road.

I also have insulated rubber gauntlet style gloves. Sure helps when it is cold and wet.

When I'm done with the chains I shake them off and put them in a large plastic box witha cover. I also spray them with WD-40.

If you bend or damage a part of the chains fix it right away not when it is -15 deg and blizzard conditions.

Last year I had a 2500# block of concrete strapped in the bed and with chains I could as they say "go anywhere".

Actually I grew up in northen Minn long before anything other than jeeps had 4wd so we learned not to go where we would likely get stuck. And to put the chains on when necessary.

I can usually get the chains on it 10-15 min in heavy snow.

 

I have found that by custom fitting the chains before first use, (cutting out excess links so they are the exact size) you just have to lay them on top of the tire, first vee bar lowest to the ground at the front then last vee bar lowest to the ground at the rear, hook the inside then the out side. Do up the cams and install a rubber bungee. DONE! no driving forward then back to position the chain, no getting in then out of the truck.

 

I'm not quite sure I understand this so hopefully I can get the truck in the shop and try it out this weekend. Getting between the tires seems like it would be pretty tough to do. I only have about 9 inches on each end.