25 replies to this topic

[2trout]

I have never bought a new vehicle, so i know little about the process. If you are custom ordering the truck from a dealer, maybe negotiate for the tires you want to be installed on arrival?

 

trout

[LosAngeles]

Thanks everyone for all the great thoughts.

I am actually ordering the truck thru a broker, who then is actually working with a dealer, but it means zero dealer “negotiations”. But I save tons of money and zero hassle. Have done this a few times before. Highly recommended. Perhaps not for everyone.

Anyway - so I will get chains - for just in case - but will try to avoid using them.

Any recommendations for chains that won’t break if I use them, but are cost effective? Also self tightening and easy to install.

Thanks. 🙂

[HughDog]

Pretty sure that your 4x4 350 will have enough weight to plow thru all kinds of snow conditions (not counting ice)!  I'd probably just get chains that work for a tire size and wheel size that you are likely to move to if you have any ideas on that already. 

 

Not sure about you, but I could not wait to burn off the OEM meat and get into a new wheel tire set-up.  Seemed lame that I'd end up buying another set of chains that I'd probably never use - So I carried my Honda's chains to show Highway Patrol if needed.  

 

Probably sounds nuts, and I would not advise you to be unsafe -  But I traveled about 4K miles in huge snow (Sierras/Rockies) during a pineapple express storm in 2017.  Every state that I went to got a fresh dump during my travel and I never once had an issue - Moreover, I did this with half burn't oem A/T meats (some past the sipes).  At some point between Sun Valley and Jackson Hole I was paving treads 1-2 feet of powder for hours.

 

Unless you end up with some garbage A/T's, in really big mounds > 2ft of unkept roads, I'd bet the weight of your front end will compensate through most conditions excluding ice.    

 

 

All that said, maybe you find yourself in a unique situation like mud, ice or California R3's and all of that which needs to be conquered -   If all you got is a bag of Honda chains, maybe you can spend the night in your Four Wheel Camper!  Best of luck-

Edited by HughDog, 24 October 2019 - 12:28 AM.

[klahanie]

 

Not sure about you, but I could not wait to burn off the OEM meat and get into a new wheel tire set-up.  Seemed lame that I'd end up buying another set of chains that I'd probably never use - So I carried my Honda's chains to show Highway Patrol if needed.  

 

Haha, I love this. Bet there's nothing in the regs that say the chains carried have to actually fit ! Sure, perhaps not in the spirit of the law but hey, if one's primary is compliance and lowest cost ...

 

fwiw, an owner could drive their brand new truck to a tire shop and do a trade in. Heck, some shops will do mobile right to the dealer lot. Might lose the truck tire warranty tho.

[AWG_Pics]

I am so ambivalent about chains or cables. Now in my mid-60's, and being raised in Montana, Utah and Idaho, I have been in lots of different snow conditions over the years. I have never had to chain or cable up, and never bought 'snow' tires. Lucky or foolish, I don't know. But when we get our Hawk in January for the Tundra i am debating getting chains. Not sure. I know how to put them on, having helped other people do so. But weight and space seem better used for other things. Hmmm...

[LosAngeles]

all great thoughts. 

 

thanks everyone. 

 

much appreciated. 

 

J.

[Mighty Dodge Ram]

Re: chains and tire size matching up. Once, and only once, I had a Chipper actually check the tag on the chain bag and my tires. Hwy 18 heading to Big Bear, icy road conditions, mini vans strewn all over the place. 😂

[Kolockum]

With newer vehicles it is especially important to double check that the chains do not interfere with break lines and sensors. The spacing behind the wheel is getting smaller as the years go by (new F-350 should be fine). I used to live and work on a mountain pass and have seen brake lines and sensor lines ripped by chains and socks. I carry chains in my personal vehicles but have only used them off road. I may know somebody that passes their tow chain off as a tire chain.
 
I have put chains on my F-450 plow and they gave me more grip then I had on dry pavement, my transmission can attest to that.
 
Just don't get auto socks. Those things are worthless and down right dangerous.

[pvstoy]

And do yourself a favor actually instal the chains after purchasing to make sure they match the tag and fit. Also to make sure you know how they go on when there is not a blizzard. Bought some that were wrong model inside package.

Les schwab will buy back the chains at end of season if not used.

[smlobx]

When we ordered our F-350 we got Michelin’s..

 

https://www.tirerack...77R8LTXAT2OWLV3