Snow driving, specifcally, Snow chains?

upnover

upnover

Grumpy, decrepit Old Man
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Mar 20, 2005
Location
Morganton NC
I have never run a set of tire chains, but I do see where they would for sure be an asset in getting you moving and helping with control.
I found with this snow being as deep as it was and as dense, wet, it was at times very difficult in my Suburban. Up until this snow, I honestly thought my Burban was the best thing I had ever used in the snow. But I was denied going up old 105, which is my fav place to go when it snows. One issue I had was my front diff wasn't staying engaged all the time. That will get attention this week. But it was slick for sure. I think I went as far as I did in mostly 2wd, due to the limited slip in the rear.
But I did get to thinking about running chains. I know the type I want to get. It's the ones with the ice cleats, no cables, all chains. Watched several YouTube vids on how to put them on and so on.
So those of you who have run them, what's your take on these? Tips tricks and so on.
One question I have is, I always lower my tire pressure when driving in the snow, do you or should I do this using chains?
Thanks in advance
 
I have only run chains one time and that was when I worked for High Point Housing Authority and they put them on the service van I was driving. They did not lower the tire pressure but I do not know if that is because they are better if you dont or if they just didnt think to do it. I honestly did not like driving with them on because although they gave added traction the moment you were on a smooth non-snow covered surface you felt like you were driving over a washboard road in a go cart. Braking was odd feeling as well.
 
Single digit tire pressure and get on top.
 
superman27344 said:
I have only run chains one time and that was when I worked for High Point Housing Authority and they put them on the service van I was driving. They did not lower the tire pressure but I do not know if that is because they are better if you dont or if they just didnt think to do it. I honestly did not like driving with them on because although they gave added traction the moment you were on a smooth non-snow covered surface you felt like you were driving over a washboard road in a go cart. Braking was odd feeling as well.
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Normally I wouldn't have considered chains at all, but as I said, at least around here, this snow was different. I'd only be using them in a case of another now like this. Other snows we've has in the last 8 years that I have had this Suburban, I had very little issues. Just wondering about other folks take on chains, that have used them.
 
Are they even legal for road use in N.C.?
Grew up in Northen Michigan and have DD’d a 2wd Toyota through an entire winter with minimal issue. Good aggressive snow tread with lots of siping and a couple hundred pounds of sand bags and give it hell. Chains in Mi. are illegal along with studs. Just wondering but also not meaning to derail.
 
skyhighZJ said:
Are they even legal for road use in N.C.?
Grew up in Northen Michigan and have DD’d a 2wd Toyota through an entire winter with minimal issue. Good aggressive snow tread with lots of siping and a couple hundred pounds of sand bags and give it hell. Chains in Mi. are illegal along with studs. Just wondering but also not meaning to derail.
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Saw Cabarrus County Sheriff Sunday using them, that won't tell you if it's legal or not though.
 
Chris_Keziah said:
Saw Cabarrus County Sheriff Sunday using them, that won't tell you if it's legal or not though.
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Like down here in La. their cruisers have tint so dark it looks like spray paint but I got a $349 ticket for the front 2 windows on my 4 door dually. Do as I say, not what I do....

Tried googling the law and I don’t speak lawyer so this is what I found.

(c) No tire on a vehicle moved on a highway shall have on its periphery any block, stud, flange, cleat or spike or any other protuberance of any material other than rubber which projects beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire, except that it shall be permissible to use farm machinery with tires having protuberances which will not injure the highway and except, also, that it shall be permissible to use tire chains of reasonable proportions upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to slide or skid. It shall be permissible to use upon any vehicle for increased safety, regular and snow tires with studs which project beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire not more than one sixteenth of an inch when compressed.
 
YEah, just going on what I have seen, esp in the mountains, chains are legal. Would be stupid(which I have seen) to drive with them when the snow isn't very deep, or has been scraped.
I am a lot older than most on here, but back when I was in school, it started snowing while we were at school, they didn't send us home until all the buses were chained up. My Dad also used to have a different set of wheels that he had snow tires and studs on. Guess who always had the job of changing them out? Up in the mountains, I have seen all kind of vehicles with chains. Not sure if it's still there, but heading up to Sugar and Beech Mnt, there was a sign that read something to the effect of " Vehicles with chains or four wheel drive ONLY permitted past this point"
 
I have a set that fits 33-35" tires that I've used on the Dodge and the Bronco. They're the heavy duty v-bar style. They're the bee's knees. Airing down is fine if you need flotation.

Don't put them on the front unless the rears are also chained.
 
Keep them as tight as possible, keep speed below 30, try not to run them on dry pavement.
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When I worked up in Lenoir, we never had any 4x4s and we would run chains on our old Caprices. We never aired down and rarely got stuck even in the worst blizzards. However, like everyone has said they ride like crap if you are not in deep snow, about 30-35mph max and if one breaks at that speed you will have major body damage to your vehicle.
 
k5-1402 said:
When I worked up in Lenoir, we never had any 4x4s and we would run chains on our old Caprices. We never aired down and rarely got stuck even in the worst blizzards. However, like everyone has said they ride like crap if you are not in deep snow, about 30-35mph max and if one breaks at that speed you will have major body damage to your vehicle.
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My dad worked highways for GPD and I remember him putting chains on his caprice! Then he got a Tahoe :D


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We run chains on our fire trucks here in banner elk. They make a world of difference even if the roads have patches of packed snow still on them. Only thing is if you only have them on the rear and the front starts sliding you will still go straight no matter which way the front tires are turned. So dont drive like an idiot with them on.

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