I don't use chain for on road use but for offroad use they are worth their weight in gold... You will find yourself intentionally looking for deeper and deeper snow to drive through just for the fun of it. 4 vbar chains and locked front/rear axles will tractor through insane areas that you would never otherwise think is possible.
I got stuck here but it's because I was on a lake and the chains dug into the ice until my front diff was sitting on ice. Had I been on firmer ground where the chains could grab rocks and roots, I would have been fine.
You can run chains on front or back only. I wouldn't recommend it though. I only used them with my old 2wd vans, so occasionally would chain rear only. Lots of traction, but steering d/n match. Finally decided to chain 4 if I chained any. Thinking about it, chaining front only on a 4wd might work ok. Seriously though, If you're going into a snowed in back country area where chains would be required on your rig, please don't go alone. The only rig I'm aware of that can't get stuck is a dog sled.
We carry small wooden blocks to drive onto and raise the tires a few inches off the ground. Makes it way easier to put our remove the chains.
Cheers!
Mr. D
Yeah, I agree it makes sense to use the chains that way. Guess I was just thinking in terms of my own highway travels through Colo., usually for skiing. In that case, if the roads are too bad for regular 4wd, they close them. And since getting my van 4 wheeled, I feel like someone has "Freed me from my chains!" ;-) If I was back country camping in B.C., I'd be packing them. D*mn they're heavy and a PITA though! Cheers!Chains aren't only for snow, they work pretty good in the summer months as well when the roads disappear. There's a reason they use them on forestry rigs.
They are a great tool and as mentioned earlier they are wonderful in the snow and ice. We use them in the winter on forestry roads here in BC and if you respect your abilities (vehicle and driver) they offer a lot of safety.
More than once the weather changed on us and without chains our winter camping would have extended till the spring
Great for traction up and down hills but just as much sideways to avoid those deep ditches...
They are just heavy and a pain to set up. We carry small wooden blocks to drive onto and raise the tires a few inches off the ground. Makes it way easier to put our remove the chains.
Cheers!
Mr. D
Wow!
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