Chain up four or chain up two?

[Zandcwhite]

Which state is irrelevant to my post. If the DOT says chain up you chain up or turn around. I'm just looking for experience from the forum members.

https://nhhservices.com/chain-laws-by-state/
Which state seems pretty damn relevant? Most states they are never required, some states they aren't even allowed, and even the states they are required they aren't required on non-commercial 4wd vehicles almost ever. I can't find chains for 39s and wouldn't want to deal with them anyway. What if I told you the DOT only enforces commercial vehicles and the highway patrol/local law enforcement only enforce local laws so no, even if the dot says so I don't care? It's like beadlocks or non-dot stamped aftermarket headlights, nobody who could enforcement it cars or applies to your Jeep anyway.

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[PT Pepé]

Here we go again. Just a simple question sent into the ionosphere. What experience can be shared and how did it work?

 

[Zandcwhite]

Here we go again. Just a simple question sent into the ionosphere. What experience can be shared and how did it work?

I've experienced never needing to put chains on a Jeep, either by law enforcement or the conditions....

 

[Phrank]

I've experienced never needing to put chains on a Jeep, either by law enforcement or the conditions....

But how did it work? Good god, man - get with the program.

 

[rdfact]

My snow driving experience is all in the Sierras. Usually if it gets bad enough that a 4x4 with snow tires is insufficient then CalTrans just closes the highways. There are some smaller highways that stay closed all winter.
If you’re a local who lives off the the main highways where CalTrans does not plow then chaining all 4 works better than just 2.

 

[BobW]

Interested in your experience not your opinion. Please stay on subject. When traveling in areas where chains are required do you chain two or four wheels? How did your decision affect your experience?

My experience is limited to approaching mountain ski towns (Big Bear, Mammoth) when CHP stops traffic to enforce chain use. Officers have always just peered under front of jeep, seen front dif, and waved me through. I've owned but never used chains. No real problems, just drove slow (tho none of the roads had steep grades).

 

[PBosch]

Here we go again. Just a simple question sent into the ionosphere. What experience can be shared and how did it work?

I put them on the drives side only and seemed to go in circles.

 

[Zandcwhite]

My experience is limited to approaching mountain ski towns (Big Bear, Mammoth) when CHP stops traffic to enforce chain use. Officers have always just peered under front of jeep, seen front dif, and waved me through. I've owned but never used chains. No real problems, just drove slow (tho none of the roads had steep grades).

Which was my point of posting the state by state laws. Yes technically R3 chain controls exist, but growing up in the sierras I've never seen them. If the storm is worse than R2 and the plows can't keep up they close the highways. As far as unplowed surface streets you're into deep snow and chains aren't helpful there. That's why you never see anyone chain up to go snow wheeling. Air down and send it. If you read the rules in Alaska, chains aren't allowed in the north in the winter, I wonder why? I get the theory behind the question, and for icy streets maybe, although if you live in that environment why not just run studded snow tires?

 

[PT Pepé]

When traveling in areas where chains are required do you chain two or four wheels? How did your decision affect your experience?

Thanks to everyone who shared their experience and thanks for staying on subject. Time to move on before this post goes sideways. I'll pick up some chains at Les Schwab knowing I may never need them here in the Cascades.

btw: In OR & WA if stopped by law enforcement they verify that you have chains but do not always require you to install them.

/s/ Older than dirt and I still don't have all of the answers. I continue to ask.

 

[Valpo Jeep]

I prefer to chain up all 4, chaining only 2 leads to problems.

We are talking about our kids/grandkids right???

 

[grimmjeeper]

Here we go again. Just a simple question sent into the ionosphere. What experience can be shared and how did it work?

Experience varies from state to state simply because different states have different laws and requirements. Even the specific brand and model of tire (not to mention tread depth) can impact whether you need 2 or 4 tires chained up. Or even if you need chains at all. It varies by state so the state matters.

Then there's the type and quantity of snow you get and that varies a lot from state to state. So what you want to do with chains will vary depending on where you are. And that means everyone's experiences will vary from state to state.

When I was in the upper midwest, the lack of mountain passes that concentrate snowfall meant I would only chain up for bashing through big drifts. If I was still living in Texas, I wouldn't chain up at all.

Most of the time my Jeep with 4WD and tires with the snowflake on the sidewall means I don't have to chain up in Colorado. Though depending on conditions I may do it anyway.

In CO, I usually skip it for just snow and only chain up for ice. Most of the time, the back tires are sufficient. But as has been stated, some side hill and un-maintained roads really call out for them on the front.

 

[mishkajb]

Growing up in northern Washington State, we had areas that required chains on commercial vehicles to cross mountain passes. That was highway/interstate roadways. They had to chain all drive axles, but not all tires.

We carried chains all winter, as we experienced snow, ice, and a combo of both. One winter, we had snow that melted during the day, then turned to ice that night, then it snowed again the next day. Chains on all 4 wheels on my 1/2 ton truck. Actually pulled out a few people (including one that had blue lights on his Crown Vic).

Last nugget of wisdom, if you only have 2 working sets of chains (they do break), and you have deep snow or ice to deal with, go front only. Think about why - you're digging a path with your front tires in deeper snow, so the chains help. If it's ice, chaining the front also assists with steering. Doesn't do much good to have chains on the rear if the front tires can't grip and steer. It's like riding a snowmobile without skis! Or braking in 4WD, you front tires quit spinning and you lose steering control.

One last piece of advice - ride the should if you can (on paved roads). That extra traction of the gravel can save you. As others have said, take it slow and easy. If you don't have chains, drive in the non-driven section of the road. Think shoulder and middle of your lane. The unpacked snow gives you better traction than the packed snow/ice from warm tires.

Stay safe in the winter and snow! Always carry blankets, water, and food! You never know when thing are going great until they aren't. Or they aren't for someone else.

 

[AcesandEights]

... here in the Cascades.

btw: In OR & WA if stopped by law enforcement they verify that you have chains but do not always require you to install them.
...

Oh, I didn't realize you are in the Cascades. Me too. Tons of snow experience. My experience in the snow is from the Sierras, and Cascades. Wish I'd have read that sooner, where you are, maybe my experience could have been helpful. Seems you've got it all figured out though.

 

[dstevens]

I've found that cables on MTs disappear down between the lugs and also will loosen because of that. But they do work. I've run cables on just front and also all four - all four is much better. I've also run cables front and chains rear. Chains require some attention to prevent interaction with the suspension / body but that combination worked on ice pretty well.

 

[Phrank]

I just chain the spare - improved traction via osmosis.

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