Chaining the front wheels

brnsvllyjohn · Apr 2, 2018

This is mentioned on another thread but I thought I would start a new thread about this subject. I don't have to chain the front often but when you have to you have to. A couple of years ago we were in a buddies Chevy 2500 and he got in a situation where we needed to chain the front. I had my chains in his truck since he didn't own any. His truck wasn't supposed to be able to use chains on the front. After a brief disagreement I added my chains to the front of his truck and we made it back down the mountain. We removed them as soon as possible since he was really nervous about having chains on the front. My new F250 has very little clearance on the front but I have already installed my chains on the front and driven a short distance on a gravel driveway to see how they worked. They seemed OK. Some of you have mentioned spacers. Should you install them on a newer F250? Mine is a 2017. I didn't need spacers on my older truck.

Southern Elk · Apr 2, 2018

Better to add spacers than break something. I couldn't run chains on my Chevy 2500 because I added over sized tire. I would always just chain up the rear.

Coyotes-R-Us · Apr 2, 2018

In the olden days ...
We would only chain the fronts, that is where the traction is on a PU.
That was back when you had to get out and "Turn in the hubs"
Newer front drives are wimpy and the added strain of chain is only opening your self for a LOTA troubles.
You will void your warranty on a Toyota if you do.
Room is only a small part of it now days.
I would say DON'T do it.
Maybe to get out of a ditch or creek but take them off ASAP.

RobG · Apr 2, 2018

Interesting coyote. The automatic hubs used to suck for reliability. They seem better now, but are they the weak link?

Coyotes-R-Us · Apr 2, 2018

Old set up was straight gears and axles.
New set up is electronic clutches friction plates and computers.
I think the whole set up is the week point.
I personally know some guys that no longer can use there front wheels do to trying to feed cattle all day long with chains on the fronts.
I have herd you CAN get some heavy duty conversions that will hold up fine.
Or order it on 450 trucks .

brnsvllyjohn · Apr 2, 2018

I don't know if it makes a difference or not but my F250 has a manual transfer case and manual hubs. Not easy to find anymore.

Coyotes-R-Us · Apr 2, 2018

Cant hurt

TimeOnTarget · Apr 2, 2018

Coyotes-R-Us said:
Old set up was straight gears and axles.
New set up is electronic clutches friction plates and computers.
I think the whole set up is the week point.
I personally know some guys that no longer can use there front wheels do to trying to feed cattle all day long with chains on the fronts.
I have herd you CAN get some heavy duty conversions that will hold up fine.
Or order it on 450 trucks .

Can't say I've ever broken anything because of chains, but I did have to replace an actuator and was amazed at the amount of plastic I found.

Ben Long · Apr 2, 2018

IMO the moment trucks no longer had manually locking hubs was the moment the world started going to hell in a handbasket. Everything got sissy after that. This is just my opinion.

buckbull · Apr 2, 2018

I think most trucks now will only allow the spider type of chains on the front.

Mallardsx2 · Apr 2, 2018

Chain the fronts always. If you have 4 chains chain everything. If you need chains, do it right and keep them tight.

Gr8bawana · Apr 2, 2018

Ben Long said:
IMO the moment trucks no longer had manually locking hubs was the moment the world started going to hell in a handbasket. Everything got sissy after that. This is just my opinion.

Yup, when people who didn't really need a truck started buying them because they were cool it was the beginning of the end. They couldn't get out and maybe get their fancy cowboy boots muddy. They wanted their trucks to ride like a luxury car.
Give me a truck with straight front axles and leaf springs, manual hubs, manual gear driven transfer case, oh yea and old fashioned hand crank windows. Yes I'm old school.

buckbull · Apr 2, 2018

Gr8bawana said:
Yup, when people who didn't really need a truck started buying them because they were cool it was the beginning of the end. They couldn't get out and maybe get their fancy cowboy boots muddy. They wanted their trucks to ride like a luxury car.
Give me a truck with straight front axles and leaf springs, manual hubs, manual gear driven transfer case, oh yea and old fashioned hand crank windows. Yes I'm old school.

The only truck i'm aware of still being made with a solid front axle is the ram 2500 power wagon.

Irrelevant · Apr 2, 2018

I use some thinner chains on the front of my Tundra. But they work great. I've had them on for weeks at a time. https://www.amazon.com/Peerless-023...8&qid=1522699344&sr=1-12&keywords=snow+chains

CampRipleyLF · Apr 2, 2018

Chain them ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

mtmuley · Apr 2, 2018

CampRipleyLF said:
Chain them ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Most of the time if this is needed, you shoulda turned around. Course 30 years of driving Montana mountains will teach you a thing or two about reading road conditions. mtmuley

hank4elk · Apr 2, 2018

mtmuley said:
Most of the time if this is needed, you shoulda turned around. Course 30 years of driving Montana mountains will teach you a thing or two about reading road conditions. mtmuley

Ditto.Years of chaining 2wd pu's , old Ford,GMC,& Dodge 4x4's with lockers,& rarely needed more than 2 on the back.
Never used them yet on my Tacoma(with an excellent shift on fly) & my F-150 offroad in NM . If I get stuck I was dumb.Never been stuck for more than a wait yet either.Sometimes wait til next day.But never stuck.

VikingsGuy · Apr 2, 2018

Ben Long said:
IMO the moment trucks no longer had manually locking hubs was the moment the world started going to hell in a handbasket. Everything got sissy after that. This is just my opinion.

My corollary is the world went to hell when the stopped putting manual transmissions in convertibles.

mtmuley · Apr 2, 2018

VikingsGuy said:
My corollary is the world went to hell when the stopped putting manual transmissions in convertibles.

Real cars with a manual aren't drop tops. mtmuley

rammac · Apr 2, 2018

Dodge 1500 RAM, I never use front chains unless I'm plowing snow on really bad ice. Always chain up the primary drive axle first, rear wheels on a rear wheel drive and front wheels on a front wheel drive. Never use a spacer unless you have no choice, buy a properly offset wheel instead.

Chaining the front wheels

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