In deep snow and ice, is it better for tire chains to be on the back or front tires for 4wd gas truck? I can see the benefits from either way. Does it matter if you have a limited slip rear end? Sometimes I will chain up all fours, although that can be a hassle.
Tire chains - Back or front tires?
- Thread starter meathunter
- Start date
Timberstalker
Veteran member
I usually just let some air out of the tires. If I were to chain up I would put them on the front.
gonhunting247
Veteran member
- Jan 21, 2014
- 1,226
- 807
Front gives you more steering ability and more weight over your chains for traction. Interesting thought on a super tight limited slip though!
Slugz
Veteran member
Hilltop
Veteran member
I always did all 4 when necessary to chain up. If I'm going to get dirty and wet, may as well get it all done at once.
I used to just chain up the front, worked great right up until I got on an off camber slope where the snow gave way to ice. I should have stopped and put on the other set, but didn't. Ended up sliding off the road, and down into the bottom of a ravine about 75 feet. I now chain all 4 when off road, if chains are needed and there is any possibility of ice, otherwise usually just the front.
badgerbob
Active Member
Usually chain front. Most of the time when I'm putting on chains, it is to get through a short stretch or get me back on the road. Chaining front Helps with steering. If icy, all 4. Wife's car gets Hancook studded snow tires all 4 and does great in most icy conditions. It has traction control.
tim
Veteran member
bigmoose
Active Member
If you get to the point where you think you should chain up, I would do all four so that you had equal traction and could steer as well.
6mm Remington
Very Active Member
I chain up the fronts and feel that works nicely for me. My dad would always chain up the fronts and if he had to chain up the rears it was time to turn around and not push it any further!
I leave chains off as long as possible. It's amazing once you get stuck how often one chained tire is enough to get out of a bad spot. Then it's about time to turn around unless I have a backup plan or another vehicle nearby.
If you get stuck while already chained up, there's no way out.
If you get stuck while already chained up, there's no way out.
Looks like fronts are the best! Thanks for the input. I get a little nervous when I chain all 4. If you get stuck with 4 chains on - you're stuck. Also, I believe to chain up before you think you need it and roll off the side of a road or worse.
missjordan
Veteran member
Usually you can chain up the front but we always chain up all fours when needed. I've had traction control about screw us on a couple occasions! Our dodge 2500 you could never truly turn it off and would still slip after pressing the button. it's better to be safe than sorry and just put all four on so the back end doesn't give out
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Timberstalker
Veteran member
Am I the only one who lets air out in the snow? It's a lot like sand. I use chains in mud way more than I do in snow.
Always chain the drive axle before the non-driven axle. It's only common sense to put the chains on the tires that are being driven by the engine, not the tires that are being pushed passively along. If you are on really bad ice or deep snow, then I don't see a problem with chaining all 4 but that's as a last resort.
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sheephunter
Active Member
I guess I'm the odd man out here 'cause I put chains on the rear axle only on my Ford Ranger.
Beware-some vehicles there can be clearance issues if putting chains on the front tires. In fact, my '08 Ram 1500 (with 20" tires) states emphatically to not use chains, period, front or back. That really sucks; if I woulda looked at that before I never would've bought the truck.
Beware-some vehicles there can be clearance issues if putting chains on the front tires. In fact, my '08 Ram 1500 (with 20" tires) states emphatically to not use chains, period, front or back. That really sucks; if I woulda looked at that before I never would've bought the truck.
It doesn't matter, 4 wheel drive or 2 wheel drive, you should always start with chains on the primary drive axle (that's the rear axle on a rear wheel drive vehicle and the front axle on a front wheel drive vehicle). I live on a forest service road in Montana where we have no plow service and most of the time I put the chains on the rear wheels even when the truck is in 4 wheel drive. The only time I put chains on the front axle is when I start to loose traction on the front wheels. As I said, always put the chains on the primary drive axle first and then the secondary axle if it looks like you are still having trouble staying on the road.
If im going to chain up all 4 tires get them. Big heavy duty chains on back and ice bar chains on front. If im going through the trouble of chaining up it isnt much more work to do all 4. I try to chain up 2 or 3 miles early and tighten them up 2 or 3 times to get all the slack out before i really start digging with them. I view my front end as the weakest link and want to distribute the workload evenly.
