Tire chains for sept?

[Tim McCoy]

I was going to buy some chains for mud/snow hunting. Not for highway. Any suggestions on brand and style? Ease of use etc. thanks

If you are going to buy and keep them for the same rig for a few years, I've had great luck with the most heavy duty style sold at Les Schwabs. Not sure if they are in your area. Anyway, I have them custom fit the chains, add or subtract links so nothing is slinging around to damage my rig. Can use wire etc., but tough to beat a perfect fit. Learned the cam locks are a pia, don't buy the rubber tightener kits either. I use HD rubber bungies, and carry extras. Also carry a few add a links just cause. The size of the bungies is not critical, as you can take longer ones and crisscross them. Been known to get it done with two longer bungies, each pulling at 3 points of contact, for 6 points of contact pulling per tire. You thread it behind the chain once and use both hooks. Two "V's" essentially. I have used both regular chains and chains with the v bars, don't have a strong preference, so long as it is very thick heavy chain.

 

[Gr8bawana]

I bought chains for all for tires back in the mid 80's. I've been hauling them around every winter and hunting season ever since. While I have only used them maybe 4 or 5 times and my brother used them a time or two, we would have been very sorry if we hadn't had them. Like Tim said get the heaviest duty bungies you can get to use as tighteners. I guess they are like an insurance policy. They were a good investment and i'm sure they'll outlive me, they have already outlived 4 trucks.

 

[laxwyo]

Anyone use GoClaws? Look easy to put on and says they work well on snow and mud

 

[Horsenhike]

tire chains: I don't leave home with out them, for the trailer too !!!

So are you guys chaining up all four wheels on your horse trailers?

 

[Gr8bawana]

Anyone use GoClaws? Look easy to put on and says they work well on snow and mud

Do a search for GoClaw reviews and you will see many people were disappointed in them. It's hard to beat good old tire chains. Though a lot of newer vehicles don't have enough clearance for chains.

 

[luckynv]

One trick of putting on the chains is to snug up the inner side first and make it as tight as you can, then hook the outside as tight as you can, then apply the stretchers or bungees. Drive a little bit then restretch as needed. Also if you carry the chains all the time replace the rubber stretchers every year or two. I found out the hard way they don't last in the heat in Southern Nevada much more than a year-Duh. As with four wheel drive you can get yourself really stuck!! Ah the joys of hunting some days, Good luck and God bless

 

[mallardsx2]

Two ratchet straps in an x pattern will tighten those chains right up...done that many times. WOrks great...
Bungees are a pain in the butt and in my opinion dont get the chains tight enough unless you use 10 of them on each tire...

 

[amoor983]

Never rule anything out in Wyoming, but 98% chance no, you wouldn't need chains for snow in Sept. It's more likely to be 80 degrees. In September I would take a bow saw, dirt shovel and tow strap for the Corolla! You won't have a problem. The only thing that stopped me in that country were stream crossings. The roads were actually pretty good.

 

[Rory]

MacGyver !

 

[IDELKFVR]

I agree with everything these guys are saying. Never been in Wyoming in September but if its anything like Idaho the bet is you wont need them in September but it only takes one rain storm and you will wish you had a set. A shovel is a must along with tow chain/strap or both and handyman jack those jacks that come with a truck are usually worthless when stuck. I have always used para cord to tighten my chains I like that better than bungee but that's just a preference. Then again if your driving a ford you will only need this stuff to help the Chevy and dodge guys out.

 

[RICMIC]

I agree with everything these guys are saying. Never been in Wyoming in September but if its anything like Idaho the bet is you wont need them in September but it only takes one rain storm and you will wish you had a set. A shovel is a must along with tow chain/strap or both and handyman jack those jacks that come with a truck are usually worthless when stuck. I have always used para cord to tighten my chains I like that better than bungee but that's just a preference. Then again if your driving a ford you will only need this stuff to help the Chevy and dodge guys out.

Be careful there IDELKFVR, we try to steer clear of politics and insulting someone's rig on this forum. It can quickly escalate to getting Banned.

 

[jimbo_v]

Tire chains are never necessary......until you need them and you don't have them!


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[IDELKFVR]

RICMIC sorry if I insulted or hurt anyone's feelings just having a little fun ford, Chevy and dodge guys been ribbing each other for years that's nothing new. I mentioned nothing about politics.

 

[RICMIC]

RICMIC sorry if I insulted or hurt anyone's feelings just having a little fun ford, Chevy and dodge guys been ribbing each other for years that's nothing new. I mentioned nothing about politics.

Trucks are politics; especially to the good ole boys down south. It doesn't look like we are able to totally stay away from the real politics though this season, and for a good reason. I have bit my tongue hard to stay out of the mix because it sure stirs the emotions. I too was just kidding about the truck. Wecome to the forum.

 

[JimP]

When I head to the back country even in the summer my box of tow and tire chains goes with me.

As for being towed out, I don't care if it is a Yugo. If I am stuck and need to get unstuck and they can do it more power to them and I will thank them and shake their hand when we are done.

 

[wy-tex]

18 inches of snow in Sept is not unheard of, I have had to use them in September in Wyoming. Depending on the 2 track roads, if you get a heavy rain the roads may turn to snot. Chains may be the only way to not get stuck miles from help.

 

[Horsenhike]

I always have a set for the back, haven't used them on the front of vehicles much. All my vehicles have a factory limited slip except my beater truck I put a Detroit Locker in. The chains on the back end are good for making a vehicle move forward (or sometimes sideways if not careful with the limited slip). Turning can be accomplished with a combination of steering wheel and throttle. I got lots of practice with that running chains on a UTV with a solid rear axle.

I have a kit I throw in the vehicles for hunting trips in remote areas. Hi Lift jack with several accessories (winch kit, bumper and wheel lift kits, bigger base plate, repair pin and spring kit). I also have a Smittybilt winch anchor, shovel, folding bowsaw, axe, chains, spare tow rope, clevis, tire chains, and a pair of 4ft sections of bridge plank with rubber round baler belt screwed down to them. They can be a mini-bridge to get past a wash-out or put under the wheel for a traction aid, an anti-slip extra big base for the Hi Lift, use your imagination. I also take water and food for several days more than I plan on being out.

That stuff is in addition to the normal stuff I carry all the time, 12V compressor, tire plug kit, 4 way wrench, 1/2" break over bar with cheater pipe, sockets to fit the lug nuts and tensioner on serpentine belt, spare serpentine belt, pry bar, hammer, 3/8" socket set and ratcheting end wrench set, baling wire, fuse kit, gorilla tape, flashlight and headlamp, 5x7 nylon Walmart tarp (help stay drier and cleaner under truck), cell phone charger, compact 12V jumper pack, 30ft tow rope, two clevises, 12ft chain, med kit. I'm sure I'm forgetting stuff but that's the main ones. Most of my vehicles are old enough tools are still handy because there are still things you can fix yourself. The 2012 truck not so much.

My truck has a toolbox I clean out and re-organize before trips, make that stuff fit in or around it. It is always hooked to the hay or stock trailer and sometimes needed at home even when I'm gone. This summer I bought a 98 Suburban I'm going to use for more of my hunting and fishing trips. It had leather seats and I added a vinyl floor, so it's kinda unique. Anyway I'm going to build a wooden frame for the cargo area this fall so I have a wooden floor that is the same height as the back seat when laid down. The area underneath the wood floor will be somewhere around 7" tall (need to measure) and I can stick the emergency gear under it. That way I have room for coolers, packs, and other gear on top while staying somewhat organized. I want to make a longer set of bridge plank ramps for it to carry on the luggage rack for trips.

I know my list is way overboard. When younger and dumber I got lots of practice being stuck. Then I was around home and if I couldn't get out I could find help. I helped lots of others get unstuck too, I made sure to always have at least a log chain along. Getting stuck a long way from anywhere in a state where I don't know many people I want to be extra self-sufficient.

Chains got here last week. Truck tool box off Craig's list too. Have most of your list now.

Thanks for typing it out.