Hello all I will be hunting antelope in the last week of September just south of casper. I have heard that in can be muddy kind of hit or miss. Should I invest in a set of tire chains and where do you guys recommend i get them or what kind ??
Tire chains
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dirtclod Az.
Veteran member
Prerylyon
Veteran member
I will be watching this thread; as I have others on tire chains. Hope to get a set for my rig; however, my 2012 Tundra's manual sez 'rear only'.
JimP
Administrator
You want a good cross bar set and the heavier duty the better. Some shops that sell them will take them back if you don't use them. As for where to get them, check with the shop where you buy your tires. NAPA also sells them or you can get them online at tirechains.com I believe
jmwyoming
Active Member
I got mine at o'Reilly auto parts store in rifle Colorado many years ago. Make sure you get tensioner for them. Also practice putting them on at home.
JimP
Administrator
I should of mentioned the tensioner but don't get the spring type that they sell for tire chains. Instead get some black bungie cords. I have found that 30 inch ones work best. Hook them in a v and upside down v. They work a lot better than the spring type
jmwyoming
Active Member
In any midwestern state, I would rather have cheap tire chains from Walmart than "no tire chains because I'm waiting to get really good ones". There's a big difference between going on the highway or light off-roading at 40mph, and getting yourself past a bad mud slick. I think most of us mostly need the latter.
I got mine at Walmart, I think the name is "Peerless Chain Truck Tire Chains" for $75 or so a pair. They come in a blue box. (NOT the "cables" or "light truck" chains.) They're very heavy duty - I get compliments on them all the time and laughs when I say where I got them. I've used them about 9 times now over 2 years and they've always saved my bacon. I've never had them over 25mph, but that's not their point.
As JimP noted most "come-with-the-set" tensioners are garbage. I grabbed a pack of Harbor Freight bungees for a couple bucks and they work great, but you can also get nice tensioners on Amazon. They don't need to take a lot of abuse, and it only takes a few pounds of force on the outside to keep them tight at low speeds.
I also personally think a pair of traction boards and a full size garden shovel are a must-have if you're going to hit a forest-service road in any kind of mud or snow. And again, I'd rather have a cheap $85 set of traction boards with me than no boards while I wait to buy nicer Maxtraxx.
I also second jmwyoming's comment about practicing. Most chains have to go on a certain direction, and have definite left/right sides. There's a whole dance you're supposed to do to get them on (driving onto them) but I've found you usually don't have to. I can get them on my tires now in about 60 seconds each side just by draping them carefully, connecting the inside, then putting the tensioner on the outside. Even if you need to put them on loose (most sets come with extra links to fit a close range of tire sizes) that can be enough to get you out of a hole until you can get to a flat spot to tighten them more.
It's REALLY nice to know how to do this if you're already stuck by the time you decide to put them on... Now that NEVER happens to me, of course... I'm just guessing here...
Let me know if you want a photo, I'm really happy with this set.
I got mine at Walmart, I think the name is "Peerless Chain Truck Tire Chains" for $75 or so a pair. They come in a blue box. (NOT the "cables" or "light truck" chains.) They're very heavy duty - I get compliments on them all the time and laughs when I say where I got them. I've used them about 9 times now over 2 years and they've always saved my bacon. I've never had them over 25mph, but that's not their point.
As JimP noted most "come-with-the-set" tensioners are garbage. I grabbed a pack of Harbor Freight bungees for a couple bucks and they work great, but you can also get nice tensioners on Amazon. They don't need to take a lot of abuse, and it only takes a few pounds of force on the outside to keep them tight at low speeds.
I also personally think a pair of traction boards and a full size garden shovel are a must-have if you're going to hit a forest-service road in any kind of mud or snow. And again, I'd rather have a cheap $85 set of traction boards with me than no boards while I wait to buy nicer Maxtraxx.
I also second jmwyoming's comment about practicing. Most chains have to go on a certain direction, and have definite left/right sides. There's a whole dance you're supposed to do to get them on (driving onto them) but I've found you usually don't have to. I can get them on my tires now in about 60 seconds each side just by draping them carefully, connecting the inside, then putting the tensioner on the outside. Even if you need to put them on loose (most sets come with extra links to fit a close range of tire sizes) that can be enough to get you out of a hole until you can get to a flat spot to tighten them more.
It's REALLY nice to know how to do this if you're already stuck by the time you decide to put them on... Now that NEVER happens to me, of course... I'm just guessing here...
Let me know if you want a photo, I'm really happy with this set.
JimP
Administrator
Yep it is a lot easier learning how to put them on when it is nice and dry than miserable, wet, and muddy
jmwyoming
Active Member
You also might want to take your spare tire off the bottom of your (truck), and keep it in the back of your truck or trailer. It's far more easier to get at than trying to get at it underneath your truck in the snow or mud with the possibility of it being frozen fast or completely caked up with ice or mud. Not to mention crawling around underneath the truck. I carry a plug kit and a compressor in my truck all the time, chains as well.
Wow thanks for all the replies. Also I think I will go and pick up a set for my awd durango. I didnt know there was the possibility for snow in late September.
mallardsx2
Veteran member
- Jul 8, 2015
- 3,919
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Do yourself a favor. Spend the money on these. They are worth it.
Get the 7mm boron alloy and have them install cams on them.
I had cams on mine. If they wont install cams on them get them anyhow. These are tough tire-chains. I have never broke a pair.
I welsed a long handle on my cam wrench with a supporting arm. Mine tighten up veyr tight to the tire and I dont have "Rubber-bands and springs" holding mine tight to the tire.
Get the 7mm boron alloy and have them install cams on them.
I had cams on mine. If they wont install cams on them get them anyhow. These are tough tire-chains. I have never broke a pair.
I welsed a long handle on my cam wrench with a supporting arm. Mine tighten up veyr tight to the tire and I dont have "Rubber-bands and springs" holding mine tight to the tire.
Tire Chains-Square Straight Link
Square link tire chains provide the best traction and wear compared to twisted link.
www.tirechain.com
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Prerylyon
Veteran member
Excellent advice here. Just even checking the spare before leaving is priceless-how many of us get down there and inspect the spare with any regularity?
mallardsx2
Veteran member
- Jul 8, 2015
- 3,919
- 3,238
Dont forget the small pump compressor and a plug kit and the floor jack and the dewalt impact gun. lol
These items never leave my truck.
Another thing that should be noted about the chains is - Dont wait until your stuck to put them on and dont wait until you need them to try them out for the first time. But them and out them on at the house where you can identify any troubles.
I saw mixed reviews about these as well. Looked interesting but I'm sure my truck would eat them.
These items never leave my truck.
Another thing that should be noted about the chains is - Dont wait until your stuck to put them on and dont wait until you need them to try them out for the first time. But them and out them on at the house where you can identify any troubles.
I saw mixed reviews about these as well. Looked interesting but I'm sure my truck would eat them.
I keep a set of Trac-Grabbers in my wife's car. I tried them once not because I needed them but just to practice installing them. They're OK but you have to remember they're a "1mph for 10 feet" solution. If you're stuck in a mud or ice slick they might get you out. But you don't want to be driving down even a forest service road with them. Pretty much their only selling point is how small they are and how fast you can get them on. They're not designed for moving you more than a few feet.
My opinion is, if you're out there hunting, you want to be hunting - or getting to where you want to be hunting, or at least not scaring off all the game with your cursing on the way to where you want to be hunting. You don't want to be outside cursing at your tires messing with "might work" solutions.
Get a set of chains. If you never use them it's $75 out the door and cheap insurance. If you do use them you'll be the next guy posting back here to everybody else to just get a set of chains. They're the simple, right answer.
(And traction boards, a GOOD garden shovel with a long handle, a patch kit, an extra spare on a steelie, and all sorts of other stuff. But yeah, get chains...)
My opinion is, if you're out there hunting, you want to be hunting - or getting to where you want to be hunting, or at least not scaring off all the game with your cursing on the way to where you want to be hunting. You don't want to be outside cursing at your tires messing with "might work" solutions.
Get a set of chains. If you never use them it's $75 out the door and cheap insurance. If you do use them you'll be the next guy posting back here to everybody else to just get a set of chains.
They're the simple, right answer.(And traction boards, a GOOD garden shovel with a long handle, a patch kit, an extra spare on a steelie, and all sorts of other stuff. But yeah, get chains...)
Prerylyon
Veteran member
So-my truck manual sez only chain up the rear tires-I poked around some Tundra forums over the years and read of guys ignoring that command and chaining up all 4 when needed, and nothing bad happening-and then others that say abide by Toyota and only chain the rears. Anyone have experience/opinions to share on this?
My understanding is not putting them on the front is a clearance issue.
I'd never advise you to do anything that might void your warranty. That said I think there's also a big difference between running them at 45mph to get through an icy commute and putting them on to get past 100 yards of mud and ice on a steep entrance to a parking area for hunting. I drive an F150 and I know I have clearance because I have room for 2" larger tires that I haven't installed. I always put chains on my fronts because if I don't, I know I may not have enough steering authority even if I have the rear grip to drive through something.
I'd say the minute you're rock-crawling you're already accepting a much higher level of "judgment-call making" than the crowd that buys vehicles because they have good TV commercials and the farthest they go off-road is parking in the grass at the county fair. You have to measure and see what fits/works.
My buddy and I rock-crawling down a slope this past weekend. If I was here in the winter and the gully was full of snow and mud, I'd absolutely have all four chains on... I wasn't squatting when I took this photo. I was standing 10' away and 10' below him, spotting.
I'd never advise you to do anything that might void your warranty. That said I think there's also a big difference between running them at 45mph to get through an icy commute and putting them on to get past 100 yards of mud and ice on a steep entrance to a parking area for hunting. I drive an F150 and I know I have clearance because I have room for 2" larger tires that I haven't installed. I always put chains on my fronts because if I don't, I know I may not have enough steering authority even if I have the rear grip to drive through something.
I'd say the minute you're rock-crawling you're already accepting a much higher level of "judgment-call making" than the crowd that buys vehicles because they have good TV commercials and the farthest they go off-road is parking in the grass at the county fair.
You have to measure and see what fits/works.My buddy and I rock-crawling down a slope this past weekend. If I was here in the winter and the gully was full of snow and mud, I'd absolutely have all four chains on... I wasn't squatting when I took this photo. I was standing 10' away and 10' below him, spotting.
JimP
Administrator
When you chain up the front you are risking tearing things up such as brake lines and steering parts. I have always been leery when I have chained up all 4 and try to avoid it when I can. When I just chain up the rear I try and have at least a 1000 lbs in the back of the truck. This will give you enough weight that you will be able to go just about anywhere as long as you realize that the steering axle might be sliding around but with the front locked into 4x4 it is surprising at how good you will go through the muck.
lostriverproductions
Active Member
No chains needed, just hammer down and let your rig eat.
Dont forget to yell YEET first.
Dont forget to yell YEET first.
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