which tires get snow chains?

[brooklynchuck]

Hi all!

Will be traveling thru Oregon toward Utah over Thanksgiving in our 2012 Greyhawk 31DS. I've driven it 20,000 miles and up and down mountains, but this will be the first time there's a chance to hit serious snow in some of the I-84 passes. So what's the expression? Proper planning prevents piss-poor performance? I'm buying snow chains and wanted your advice.

Which of the Greyhawk's 6 tires would you put snow chains on?

I think yes on the front tires, and yes on the outer rear dually tires. Looks like doing the inner rear dually tires is extra-difficult and extra-expensive.

Would love anyone's first-hand experience or product recommendations. Currently have two pairs of these Super Z6 Cable Tire Chains in my amazon shopping cart.

Thanks so much!

C:

[Grumpy]

Outside duals. I've only seen chains on the front for front wheel drive or on all 4 for 4 wheel drive. I personally have never seen chains on steer tires on semi's, wreckers, fire & rescue vehicles or snow removal equipment.

[Marcm157]

No need for chains on steer tires. As Grumpy said outer drive tires only...

[brooklynchuck]

thanks, grumpy and Marcm!

[SloPoke]

We carry Snow Chains for our Seneca, because many states require you to have them on-board during specific months during the winter.

Now the fact that we have them has no relation to our desire to use them. I have put chains on many other vehicles over the years and have broken a few chains over the road too. Every time I broke a chain, it caused damage to the vehicle fender... even on a 4 Wheel drive lifted SUV.

We are not going to take that chance with our Seneca... Instead we hunker down in our Seneca and wait a day or two until the roads are clear.

[CAG]

Slopoke covered it but I would plan extra time for extra stops because if it snows you have to deal with that, slick roads, and semis doing 75 on those roads. Ain't doing that. First place to tie up is where I would be.

[Yooper906]

Originally Posted by brooklynchuck

Hi all!



I think yes on the front tires, and yes on the outer rear dually tires.

All due respect from someone in heavy snow country, if you don't know which tires to chain, you making a big mistake thinking about driving in heavy snow or ice.

[pconroy]

Originally Posted by Yooper906

All due respect from someone in heavy snow country, if you don't know which tires to chain, you making a big mistake thinking about driving in heavy snow or ice.

Yeah - I don't want to pile on or add insult to injury - but chaining up tires requires you to know what you're doing; to have some experience.

I've lived in snow country most of my life. I even have chains in the RV.
My plan is to NEVER use them.

If the weather's that bad, that the Chains Required notice goes up, I'm stopping where I'm at and sitting things out. I brought my "house" with me.



Outside duals.
Practice, practice, practice before you go.

[travelingjw]

I just want to thank you "snow experienced" people. I carry chains as emergency use only and have been ridiculed because I just don't want to drive in snow. Of course I don't give a damn what people say but it has made me wonder if I am being overly cautious. And, I've driven in snow up in Tahoe for years, and still prefer to stay put! People just don't know how to drive in snow!

[Yooper906]

Originally Posted by travelingjw

People just don't know how to drive in snow!

This is it. I'm more leery of getting hit than hitting someone.

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by travelingjw

People just don't know how to drive in snow!

Especially those with 4 WD.....they forget that doesn't help when they have to stop.

[pconroy]

Originally Posted by Grumpy

Especially those with 4 WD.....they forget that doesn't help when they have to stop.

Amen!!!

Lord, the FIRST thing I taught my kids on how to drive in the snow was how to SLOW, STOP and TURN properly.

Now, as someone else pointed out, it just means I'll be hit by some other bozo...

[cekkk]

After retirement we moved to the Rockies. We got plenty of snow at 9000 feet and my wife wanted to drive a school bus again. She was allowed to bring it home overnight. So I became reasonably proficient at installing chains during snow falls at 3 AM. The bus had dual rear wheels and the chains only went on the outside tires.

[garywilson]

Too much paranoia...just know your limitations!
Slow down and enjoy.
If you get too apprehensive, then stop.
Instead of chains, look at Security Company Z-chain and see if you can find a fit. Easy on and off. I started using them about eleven years ago.
They probably aren't much use for deep mud, but are great for snow and ice.

[Insane938]

I drove trucks OTR for many years. (Too Many). Some of the answers are spot on in my opinion, but, here is what I was taught, and stuck to during my driving time.
1. There are chains for duals available, and we had them and used them. No chance of an outer dual catching and breaking a chain, or the wheel studs.
2. A single chain on the drivers front to help with steering.

I have seen many a truck in the medium or ditch because the driver was too lazy to install chains. Especially when actively snowing over packed icy conditions, and with ice and cross winds.
I will admit to driving many miles on icy roads without chains... Sometimes stupidly, but never on steep, curvy, ice packed roads...empty. That is the biggest clue here. When you have weight, you have much more traction, but it takes longer to stop because of the weight. I would never attempt to go over a steep, curvy, ice packed, mountain pass without chains in my home. A few minutes of work and discomfort is a cheap trade off for the possibility of losing your home or your life. Either wait it out, or chain it up.
Be safe, Live longer

JMHO

[garywilson]

Originally Posted by Insane938

I drove trucks OTR for many years. (Too Many). Some of the answers are spot on in my opinion, but, here is what I was taught, and stuck to during my driving time.
1. There are chains for duals available, and we had them and used them. No chance of an outer dual catching and breaking a chain, or the wheel studs.
2. A single chain on the drivers front to help with steering.

I have seen many a truck in the medium or ditch because the driver was too lazy to install chains. Especially when actively snowing over packed icy conditions, and with ice and cross winds.
I will admit to driving many miles on icy roads without chains... Sometimes stupidly, but never on steep, curvy, ice packed roads...empty. That is the biggest clue here. When you have weight, you have much more traction, but it takes longer to stop because of the weight. I would never attempt to go over a steep, curvy, ice packed, mountain pass without chains in my home. A few minutes of work and discomfort is a cheap trade off for the possibility of losing your home or your life. Either wait it out, or chain it up.
Be safe, Live longer

JMHO

---
x2
I did an uncontrolled slide downhill without chains that started while parked once in 1974. Shutting the driver's door started it. Creased the seat cushion from hanging on. What a ride! Helpless feeling.

I 'chain up' all tires since.

Better than paying the deductible.

[Marine71-76]

Originally Posted by Insane938

...

I have seen many a truck in the medium or ditch because the driver was too lazy to install chains. Especially when actively snowing over packed icy conditions, and with ice and cross winds.

JMHO

In 1995 while towing a tag from Cincinnati to Long Beach, CA to spend Christmas with DW's family, we hit snow/ice outside of Tucumari, New Mexico. We had a CB at the time and listened to a driver berating the slower traffic. We spent the night in the truck stop. The next morning the roads were good. About 10 miles up the road there was a Tyson semi in the medium on its side. Pretty sure it was the same one that was berating the slower traffic.

[Gchan]

Advice please on snow chains! I have a greyhawk 32X model and I thought I read in the Manuel that Jayco doesn’t recommend chains on these because of space . Anyone have any idea on this

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by Gchan

Advice please on snow chains! I have a greyhawk 32X model and I thought I read in the Manuel that Jayco doesn’t recommend chains on these because of space . Anyone have any idea on this

I think many say that. I always had a set of "Z" Chains, cable style. They are much thinner and easier to install.

[Gchan]

Thanks grumpy, I kinda thought that was the case. Don’t really like the idea of driving on slick snow covered roads but never thought about the cables for the tires. Going to have to look into them. Thanks again