Chaining up a 4 x 4?

Question

Got in a debate today with my son. He is driving his Ram Charger up to Vail today, and will need chains for a good portion of the drive. I suggested it would be best to put them on his front tires and keep it in 4 high. That would put the weight on the both the steering and the drive where if you put them in the back it would not have the weight on them that he may need in the snow. Though he did not have an argument as to why, he felt it would be better in the back.

So "What say you?" chains on front drive or rear drive for the Ramcharger?

Answer 1

As an example, when I chain up a big rig, there are the steers (front), rear drives and rear rear drives. I put 1 set of chains on 1 side of my rear drives and 1 set on the opposite side of my rear rears. I then lock up my interaxle differentials and put the 4 way lockers on. In effect what I am doing is putting equal power to every set of axles right and left. That way, whichever wheel has any traction will continue the momentum.

As in your case of a 4X4...it is the same principal. You already have the power to every wheel. You just need to gain traction at certain parts. If you put them on the same axles, you may not have the traction. My advice would be to put one on the right front and one on the left rear or one on the left front and the right rear...this ensures you will always have some traction. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

chain up the front...you need to be able to steer..

those back tires will follow,

where ever you go

Answer 3

since the rear tires are already light on weight why not chain them and leave the front bare

Answer 4

If running in 4 wheel drive you need to make all things equal or else you run the risk of transfer case damage.

You are right about chains getting more traction on the front wheels. But you suffer in steering and braking.

Unless you have a posi in the front drive, keep them on the back (hopefully that has a posi).

This way when not needed you can keep it in 2 wheel drive to conserve gas.

And another thing. There is very little reason to take it out of High 4. Last time I saw there are paved roads to most ski resorts in Vail and they take a dim view back trail skiers before an avalanche assessment can be made.

Answer 5

I would advise they go on all 4. All 4 wheels will be doing some amount of the work, even though most of the work will happen up front. I'd expect that the chains would not be needed in 4 wheel drive though and you may want to look into the owners manual and see what it has to say about chaining up a 4x4. Either way, all 4 wheels should be chained just to try and keep from putting an uneven strain on the vehicle.

Answer 6

Even though weather conditions may not warrant the use of chains on 4-wheel-drive vehicles at a particular time, to enter a chain control area, you must have a set of chains (for one drive axle rear) for your vehicle in your possession.

If conditions worsen or you have trouble controlling your vehicle, you must stop and install the chains.

Answer 7

Snow chains mounted on all 4 with 4WD/AWD - ideal lateral stability, perfect acceleration, crisp steering, super braking. However, part time systems will show some understeer (turns are wider than intended). Full time 4WD systems are best. This is what everyone should have for snow and ice. Be careful anyway.

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Snow chains mounted on front axle with 4WD/AWD - good acceleration, good steering, good braking. However, since the rear wheels have no lateral guidance, the rear end might come around - fast. Not good. Feather your brakes. Go slow.

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Snow chains mounted on rear axle with 4WD/AWD - good acceleration, lousy steering (no lateral guidance), marginal braking (remember, 80% of brake force is created at front wheels and without chains that ain't happening). No fishtailing. Best compromise for 4WD with only one pair of chains. Go slow.

Answer 8

I have an 06' 2500 4wd dodge and have been across Donner and Parly and yes across I-70 I run Bridgestone rugged trails on it and even when they stop all traffic except 4wd with snow tires, it don't spin ( and I have tried) I get to stop to clean the wiper blades once in awhile and from a dead stop in 4wd high it takes off like on dry pavement even when the snow is hitting the bottom of my running boards, and nooooo, Homey don't hang no iron