Tire chains on Ford F150 - Questions / Feedback

[ib_reel]

Guys,

I'm a new member to the forum but a longtime Eastman's subscriber. I'm heading to Wyoming in October and looking at purchasing chains for my 2011 Ford F150. I've spoken with a few folks that say I need to add 1/2" spacers to insure clearance of the chains. I've talked to guys that never add spacers and do just fine. Just looking for a little feedback as to the experiences you all have had.
Thx in advance for the help!

 

[Topgun 30-06]

Guys,

I'm a new member to the forum but a longtime Eastman's subscriber. I'm heading to Wyoming in October and looking at purchasing chains for my 2011 Ford F150. I've spoken with a few folks that say I need to add 1/2" spacers to insure clearance of the chains. I've talked to guys that never add spacers and do just fine. Just looking for a little feedback as to the experiences you all have had.
Thx in advance for the help!

I'd be talking to an automotive expert that is up on what the vehicle needs and not relying on what tips you get from "experts" on the internet. I know there are now 4x4 vehicles that you would think could readily accept chains, but due to changes in design the last few years a chain will ruin the vehicle quickly the way brakes, lines, and other critical components are too close or can be severely damaged if a chain happens to come loose or is thrown off the tire.

 

[accubond]

First of all, check your owners manual. I just went through this last year with my 2012 Tundra. I ended up getting some type S, low clearance chains to play it safe and they will be better than nothing but most new trucks are not supposed to be chained up in the front.

 

[Huntinguy0120]

My uncle had a 2009 stock F-150, no spacers, and purchased some of the heavy duty chains for 'emergency'. I believe the owner manuals say no to chains but when you need em', you need em'! We used them mostly on the rear when the weather turned but had to use them on the fronts a few times as well. We spent a lot of time and energy putting them on and peeling them off. We threw a few chains in some pretty deep snow but nothing ever got tied up inside. Great looking pickup!

 

[Musket Man]

Is there anything that it looks like the chains would hit? I would defiantly try them on at home, cut extra links off the inside, carry bungees for the outside to keep them tight, ect.

 

[Don K]

As stated, read the manual and most important try them on before you need them. Ripping off front brake lines when your in the middle of nowhere is not something you want.

 

[ib_reel]

Thx guys - the owners manual says " type S chains only ". I don't believe these chains will get me where we're going. The ranch owner says you need all four tires chained for the 4 mile trek in to camp.
I tested my buddies chains for his F150 and the fit great with 1/8" or so of clearance. He uses them year in year out in Colorado with no issues.
I'm just concerned cause I certainly don't want to tear up my truck in the middle of nowhere!

 

[Topgun 30-06]

Thx guys - the owners manual says " type S chains only ". I don't believe these chains will get me where we're going. The ranch owner says you need all four tires chained for the 4 mile trek in to camp.
I tested my buddies chains for his F150 and the fit great with 1/8" or so of clearance. He uses them year in year out in Colorado with no issues.
I'm just concerned cause I certainly don't want to tear up my truck in the middle of nowhere!

1/8" or so of clearance to what? If the manual says only use the one type of chain on the truck, you had better pay attention. They would not put that in the book if the other type would not cause problems. Just putting a chain on in the driveway and saying it looks fine is not going to tell you what will happen when it's in use under stress going every which way with 4000#+ of weight. Can you take a quad into the camp and not risk screwing up your PU?

 

[ib_reel]

I'm going by what the landowner sends out as " before the hunt planning " He has same truck and says spacers and chains which adds up to $1,100 of extra expenses

 

[Cobbhunts]

I'm going by what the landowner sends out as " before the hunt planning " He has same truck and says spacers and chains which adds up to $1,100 of extra expenses

A one time expense though. And look around, spacers can be found cheaper. Just don't buy the cheaply made spacers. And like I said, you won't have to buy them for your next trip out!

 

[Topgun 30-06]

Whatever, but I take the word of equipment manufacturers and not dimestore mechanics!

 

[Musket Man]

Just get a sawzall and cut some out of the fenders to make sure you have clearance! lol

 

[vince]

Any manufactured product can likely be improved if one is willing to invest the time, and or, money.
Manufacturers make their recommendations based on corporate liability not always what will work best.

 

[Againstthewind]

Just get a sawzall and cut some out of the fenders to make sure you have clearance! lol

Are you sure you are not from Wyoming? Its the only place I know that the sawz-em-all is considered a precision body work tool.

 

[PointsHunter]

Several have had similar comments - but #1 make sure you purchases chains with correct fit. Get that right before selecting type of chain. Here's a rookie move to not re-live.

When I was twenty years younger I purchased chains and didn't verify fit. Found cause to use them in the Flat tops in Colorado on a little one lane road way up high. Put them on and they were a bit loose. I knew it wasn't right and as I was getting ready to take them off someone pulled in behind me. I tried to pull forward only about 10 feet so he could squeeze around while chains were still on and in that short of a distance the chains slipped off on one tire breaking hydraulic brake line. I never thought they could slip that fast. If one brake goes... They all go. Spent the next several hours in 4-Low creeping down the mountain and into town.

Moral of the story - if it's your first time using chains make sure you get the right equipment. A little hands on coaching beats the heck out of internet advise.

 

[Gr8bawana]

I've never had a "truck" where putting chains on would be such an issue. When you're talking about having 1/8 inch of clearance that's
not much lee-way. These new trucks weren't made to be used that way. You could cause a lot of very expensive damage really
quick.

 

[grizzly]

I had a 2010 F-150 SuperCcrew that I ran chains on regularly. I had LT275x70x18 tires with a front-end leveling kit. It was close, and I drove slow when chains were on the front, but it worked great. Different styles of Ford trucks have different front end shock packages (FX4 vs Lariat vs XLT vs HeavyDuty Payload vs SnowPlow Prep vs 6.5' bed, etc...), so what works on one truck may not work on yours.

Take them to a shop, try them out and have a qualified person pay close attention to your clearances while driving straight and while turning. If you're too close for comfort find a different solution... don't screw up your truck. They're too dang nice nowadays.

 

[accubond]

If you can't get to a spot with the back end chained up with regular chains and S style chains in the front you have no business being where you are. I was pissed when I found out I could only run S's in the front but after an educated purchase they aren't that bad of a chain and a hell of a lot better than no chains at all. 1/8" of clearance is flirting with major structural damage to the upper control arm!