Tire Chains for a Dually Ambulance

[Crispy94]

Hi all, I'm looking for some input on which tire chains I should use for a large dually ambulance.

The vehicle:
1993 Ford E350 7.3L w/ a Horton Type 2 ambulance body (big box)
RWD dually - weighs about 10,000lbs, lots of weight over the rear axel
Tire size 225/75/16, running triple snow peak rated all-terrain tires

I'm trying to decide between v bar chains or standard square link chains. Is V bar significantly better for traction? Do they wear down quickly? Do I need a chain that aggressive?

Also, I was planning to buy a set of dually-specific chains, but some people just run a single set on the outer tire?

If you have any advice or input, I would appreciate it. TIA

 

[billiebob]

If you are on a road, single chains work well and are an easy install but if you are on a trail you might end up with all the weight on the inner tires and the chains not contacting the ground.

I'd only do vbar chains. They last forever if you only use them when needed and remove them once the road has enough traction. If you want a full set of dual chains, I'd say either the vbar or the standard square link would work, The vbar will last and wear longer but they might be acward to install on an ambulance depending on how open the wheel well is.

 

[Rovertrader]

The modern ambulances utilize an auto deployed chain system- no idea if you can retrofit or the cost to do so, but worth a look/see...

 

[180out]

auto chains are useless off road. three rail chains, for duallys, are a pain in the ass to install . singles are best. one block of wood under the inside tire gets the outside up in the air. makes putting them on and off real fast. billybob has a good point but lets be honest. snow covered deep ruts two track? how often is that going to happen in an 100+" wide rig.

 

[Crispy94]

auto chains are useless off road. three rail chains, for duallys, are a pain in the ass to install . singles are best. one block of wood under the inside tire gets the outside up in the air. makes putting them on and off real fast. billybob has a good point but lets be honest. snow covered deep ruts two track? how often is that going to happen in an 100+" wide rig.

You're right that I'm not planning on being off-road in my 95" wide box in the deep snow, so maybe singles would be a good option. Thanks for the input and tips

 

[Crispy94]

The modern ambulances utilize an auto deployed chain system- no idea if you can retrofit or the cost to do so, but worth a look/see...

Would be a super cool system, something I'd love to look into when I move to a place with more serious winters. Thanks

 

[Crispy94]

If you are on a road, single chains work well and are an easy install but if you are on a trail you might end up with all the weight on the inner tires and the chains not contacting the ground.

I'd only do vbar chains. They last forever if you only use them when needed and remove them once the road has enough traction. If you want a full set of dual chains, I'd say either the vbar or the standard square link would work, The vbar will last and wear longer but they might be acward to install on an ambulance depending on how open the wheel well is.

Ok, thanks for the input. My first reaction was to get dual chains, but I'll take a look and see how much room I really have and how tough it would be to put them on. I'm not planning on being off-road in deep snow (I'm just looking for chains to help me get safely over mountain passes in a heavy 2WD vehicle), so maybe single Vbar chains would be a good option. Thanks for the help.

 

[bgflyguy]

In WA trucks with auto chains are still required to carry additional chains if chains are required.

I'm not sure about needing more than one set if they aren't auto chains though. I would check the regulations for where you want to travel. They are pretty specific around here.