Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game Another tire chain question for half-ton owners

I will be heading to Colorado this October and was looking into taking a set of chains along for my truck. It seems as if most half-ton trucks are recommending no chains or the S class type due to clearance issues. For the guys running a half-ton truck, what chains are you taking into the hills if any? I am currently driving a 07 F-150.

V-bar, if the side chains will clear your tie-rods. My 08 Dodge 1/2 ton didn't so I had to use wheel spacers.

Properly fitted chains make THAT big of a difference when 3 feet of snow dumpes on you overnight. Don't go late season elk hunting without them. I've also seen some heavy snow fall in early October, so even early season they're not a bad idea.

Amen! There have been at least 3 winters, in the last ten years or so, in which we had everything with wheels chained up during the first rifle hunts in Colorado.

try them on your truck before you leave.

i carry two sets and have used them twice in October, on a two wheel drive-laff.

good luck.

My 2007 F-150 FX4 has 18 inch rims. Clearance on rear wheels at e-brake cable was the problem for rear chains. I bought 17 inch steel wheels and narrower profile winter tires that matched the dia. of original tires. clearance improved for chains and tire/wheel combo is switched seasonally.

Marv

Thanks Marv, do u have good clearance up front? I am running 265/70 R17 BFG A/T. I think I may be ok, but unsure and wanting to know what others are running.

I have the same problem with my 07 Tacoma. I did some research and settled on these with square links.

http://www.tirechain.com/square_alloy_cross_chain.htm

They are advertised as giving more clearance. They might not be as good as the v-bars, but certainly better than nothing. I've used them on the rear my 07 Tacoma with 265-75-16 tires. The brake line is too close to use them on the front, but they do fit front and rear on my Wrangler.

I've considered narrower tires, but wheel spacers or aftermarket wheels with a different offset will do the same thng.

If a pickup doesn't have room for chains, it's not a pickup. It's just a car with a large open trunk. Little by little they're ruining the usefulness of their pickups.

Haven't checked for front clearance. No plans for front chains.

However, you might find this informative as well. Winter tire is Cooper LT235/80/17, load E. Original tire was BF Goodrich P-metric 275/65/18. New replacement all season tire is LT275/65/18 Cooper, load C. Interesting point is dif in sidewall shape and profile. Clearance went from 1 finger to 2 finger width in clearance to the e-brake cable between the P-metric and LT tire on same size profile and 18 inch rim.

Marv

piss-poor planning, precludes epic get-stuck-on-the-mountain-call-a-tow-truck-type-incidents.


PRICELESS!!......




most times, front chains will do you more good than rears......

Not smart.

Super-Z Quick Grip chains are another choice that meets class S clearance requirements

http://www.peerlesschain.com/brands/traction/traction-product-choices/quik-grip/

Don't plan to be in your world for snow situations and get stuck in the deep mountain snows you may experience.

No dispute over which axle benefits the most. Wasn't part of the question or the reply.

Love your editorial without context. Not everyone experiences your reality. Bravo!

Marv

The stock tire size on my Dodge Ram is 265/70/17. I'm running 245/75/17. That gets the same outside diameter but a couple inches narrower. That improves handling plus allows more room for chains.

Wouldn't own a vehicle (Some trucks ain't trucks) I couldn't chain up. mtmuley

Four plus one- Don't be the boob that holds folks up Yes I were a boob.. Never found the sluft off right right rear..

Ok..... thanks for the heads up.

agreed.......and still are.

When the rear end pushes the front end off the road remember you were warned.

Crap a tow rope with eyes and two three foot chains will help a boob out.grin