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Post by billcat on Apr 22, 2010 14:54:48 GMT -7
This board needs a little bit of a pick-up.
I don't know how many of you carry a set of tire chains in the truck, most in snow country probably do. I carry mine in a metal G.I. box, along with a heavy tow chain. Haven't used them but once in the past 25 years, but the one time I did, they were the savior. The big problem is, they never get looked at and checked out, until needed. That's the wrong time to find out they need some attention. Just checked mine out and they are pretty much rusted up. I took them out and de-rusted them with some Jasco pre-paint primer, containing phosphoric acid. Gonna rinse them off and boil them along with my traps, then wax them. Always lay them out on the ground (concrete prefered) and untangle them, before putting back in the box. Pick them up by one end on each of the long chains that connect the links (pick up the end with the connectors, they are easier to find later, than the bare ends) and lay them in the box, starting at the other end and layer them into the box. That should keep them in good shape for when they are needed. When you need them, pick them up by the ends you held on to when you put them in the box and lift them out the same way they went in. They'll be straight and easy(ier) to put on the tires.
Wax the bottom of the box (inside)(if metal) and make sure the box is venatlated, but insure that liquid water can't enter. I also welded some wear strips on the bottom of the box (outside), so the bottom wouldn't wear out as it moves around in back of the truck and so the bottom wouldn't rust out from trapped water against the bottom.
Chains are a pain in the butt, but when you need them, you REALLY need them. Same goes for a good tow chain.
Bill
By the way, I hate chains, but........you better have them when you need them.
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Post by grumpyoldman on Apr 22, 2010 15:41:51 GMT -7
I carry a set with me too in a denim sack, they have saved my butt a few times also. Once deer hunting with the wife on a slick snow covered road and the truck slipped to the edge and it was a pretty good angle on the road so when I tried to go the rear end would slip closer to the edge and it was about 4 feet almost straight down so like a fish flopping out of water I finally got them on and pulled right out of there. Been a few times in the spring I needed to use them in the mud, after having to put them on in the mud a time or two, it's a treat to do it in the snow. I wouldn't go out off the main roads if I didn't have them with me and I also carry a tow rope. I used to have a set of what were called "ladies chains" which were individual 2 row tire chains that would slip through the slots in the rim and sinched on. You put about 4 of these on a tire and you were good to go, only took about 1 minute per tire to put on, but you had to have a spoke type rim of some sorts to work. A guy told me they were for the old Model T wooden spoke rimes but they worked fine on my white steel spoke rims.
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Post by wackyquacker on Apr 22, 2010 21:34:55 GMT -7
Never leave for the line without at least one set...when it snows or melts I have two sets. If you use chains or need to buy a new set I highly recomend that you check this link: tirechain.com/car_chaininstallationinstruction.htm and watch the video. These things work well! I found that a short 2 X 6 or so really helps...drive on the board to slightly elevate your tire...the chains go on fast! With these chains you tend to put them on before you really need them thusly stay less muddy, wet and stuck. IF you are working in rocky stuff buy a couple extra bungies and a cold shuts in case of a broken link. Easy on easy off. Wash off hang to dry and you're good to go next day. |
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Post by grumpyoldman on Apr 23, 2010 5:39:27 GMT -7
Wackmaster, I got a birthday coming 3rd of May, still plenty of time for you to get a set here by then.....thanks in advance.
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Post by wackyquacker on Apr 23, 2010 5:58:32 GMT -7
I've never seen tire chains on a wheel chair but if you give me the tire number maybe...
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Post by billcat on Apr 23, 2010 17:04:21 GMT -7
My chains are HEAVY duty big truck chains. I've got two sets of them, but have only ever needed one set. Always put them on the front and almost never used the rubber tighteners. I've used this one set for 40 years and have a few thousand miles on them. Still don't show any wear, most wear is from rusting in the box.
Bill
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jorge
mouse trapper
Posts: 197
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Post by jorge on Oct 26, 2010 18:22:59 GMT -7
if I'm not chaining up pretty regular I'm not out in the winter, the rubber tighteners aren't nessecary if you are the hulk and pull them 100% tight but if your alittle off the tightener can save you, when a chain works loose it can take out the brake lines and other things especially if your into it good trying to pull out of something
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Post by billcat on Oct 26, 2010 20:53:34 GMT -7
It's a good idea to check the chains on your particular tires, at home in good weather, before you ever need them. I'd cut off any extra beyond two or three links. You'll get rid of the flappers that way. When you do need them, drive a few hundred yards and tighten them up, so they are good and snug. Tightening rubbers are rubber, so it's a good idea to replace them every year, whether you've used them or not.
Bill
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Post by lynx/cat-trapper on Nov 2, 2010 5:36:28 GMT -7
Chains are a MUST... I have a set for front and back.. PLUS about a dozen rubber tensioners.. take the "jingle" outta em real quick. gonna make a set for my wheeler next few days too!!
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Post by mtbadger on Mar 21, 2011 11:52:32 GMT -7
I have 6 individual semi chains that I have found. I am going to make a set for the pick-up. I thought of taking an old set for 14" tires I have and turning them into a set for the wheeler.
I always have 2 sets of tire chains and a pull strap and tow chain in the pick-up.
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Post by aknative on May 11, 2011 5:29:25 GMT -7
We got a little more snow this year than the last couple years, I got my self stuck on the far side of a hill in the dirt road...I knew I was gonna get stuck when I went to check traps, but thought that with my straps and come along I'd be able to get back...WRONG! After hours of struggling with getting stuck, un-stuck, and attacking the hill again, progressively losing ground down the hill. Luckily I had cell coverage, got a hold of my wife, had her buy a set of chains and get a hold of a friend of ours with a snow machine. They brought the chains out to me with the snow machine, and I was able to get back to the main road...barely. That was with only chains on the rear tires. I now have chains for all four tires. I know that when I do get stuck that way though it's gonna be really rough. Won't go in the woods without chains now. They're still in the plastic boxes they came in, when those break I'll figure something else out.
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Post by lynx/cat-trapper on May 18, 2012 6:28:50 GMT -7
On my yota I had 33x12.50's that allowed me to use the HEAVY/LARGE truck chains.. 200 plus a set but OH MAN.. was like puttin on a tank track on it lol.
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Post by simonkenton on Mar 16, 2014 13:20:36 GMT -7
I put chains on the 4-wheeler just before Thanksgiving and never took them off the rest of the season. All 4 wheels, and it flat out eats the snow, until you get high centered. Got stuck twice and it was from the saturated, unfrozen dirt/gravel under the snow. High centered in the drifted snow and dug out til I hit dirt, then it was down, down, down. I'm thinking the key to getting out of a situation like this is to shovel all the snow from around the bike first, then you can get in to clear the high center and have a place to go with that snow. Pack a small square nosed shovel and a pulaski for chopping crusted drifts.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Mar 16, 2014 13:36:19 GMT -7
I put chains on the 4-wheeler just before Thanksgiving and never took them off the rest of the season. All 4 wheels, and it flat out eats the snow, until you get high centered. Got stuck twice and it was from the saturated, unfrozen dirt/gravel under the snow. High centered in the drifted snow and dug out til I hit dirt, then it was down, down, down. I'm thinking the key to getting out of a situation like this is to shovel all the snow from around the bike first, then you can get in to clear the high center and have a place to go with that snow. Pack a small square nosed shovel and a Pulaski for chopping crusted drifts. If you are going to take a Pulaski along for chopping drifts, make him shovel too,,,,,  |
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9wire
pro trapper
Posts: 2,585
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Post by 9wire on Mar 16, 2014 18:10:28 GMT -7
I put chains on the 4-wheeler just before Thanksgiving and never took them off the rest of the season. All 4 wheels, and it flat out eats the snow, until you get high centered. Got stuck twice and it was from the saturated, unfrozen dirt/gravel under the snow. High centered in the drifted snow and dug out til I hit dirt, then it was down, down, down. I'm thinking the key to getting out of a situation like this is to shovel all the snow from around the bike first, then you can get in to clear the high center and have a place to go with that snow. Pack a small square nosed shovel and a Pulaski for chopping crusted drifts. If you are going to take a Pulaski along for chopping drifts, make him shovel too,,,,, You can also make him push you home if you run out of gas! |
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