You winter guys with dually 4X4's, you chain up ? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**57NAPCO** · 12-07-2016, 09:19 PM

Flying out to Idaho in a week to pick up a 1ton dually 4X4 and drive back to Texas. I will be driving up to Sun Valley, ID from Boise to visit my sister and then to Red River, NM to visit daughter and on home. Weather is looking nasty, I'm thinking I may buy some chains but have never done chains on a dually. Any issues I should be aware of? I am an old salt as far as driving snow covered roads for many years just not with this kind of rig.

Thoughts, suggestions?
Thanks

**57NAPCO** · 12-07-2016, 10:29 PM

I guess I could just chain the fronts if it got real nasty, like I think it's going to be.

**Stocker** · 12-07-2016, 10:39 PM

It depends.... If it gets bad enough, you'll need to chain up, but it's not usually needed. Of course sometimes local laws make you do it, even if you don't need to. We had several 4x4 duallys at work and when we had to, we chained the outside duals. With my K20, I chained the fronts when I needed chains. To me, a 4x4 dually is harder to drive in deeper snow than a 4x4 pickup. I blame the extra tire width out back pushing snow.... the rear tires cannot follow in the ruts of the front tires.

Edit: Just occurred to me, we had service trucks with a lot of weight over the rear axle. A typical 4x4 dually pickup, with less weight out back, should do better with chains up front.

**57NAPCO** · 12-07-2016, 11:07 PM

Thanks, weight over the rear end is something I thought about, sand bags at local hardware store may be order.

bilfman · 12-07-2016, 11:41 PM

Use water softener salt bags, heavy and cheap. And can be used in a softener after winter, I do this all the time. They make a cable style of "chain" that works well and is cheaper and less invasive then chains, may be an option for you.

**57NAPCO** · 12-08-2016, 01:14 AM

andrewmp6 · 12-08-2016, 03:07 AM

Depends your tires and how much snow,I rather have them with me and never need them then wish i had them.

**special-K** · 12-08-2016, 11:03 AM

I'd do just outside on rear. Be safe. It makes the trip long staring into snow coming at you. Hopefully that will be at your back.

**57NAPCO** · 12-08-2016, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K

I'd do just outside on rear. Be safe. It makes the trip long staring into snow coming at you. Hopefully that will be at your back.

It's hypnotizing isn't it, it's the big fluffy flakes that get me. Takes you to never never land

**57NAPCO** · 12-08-2016, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

Depends your tires and how much snow,I rather have them with me and never need them then wish i had them.

Agreed, I'll have em.

andrewmp6 · 12-09-2016, 03:52 AM

And i carry a bag of cheap kitty litter it can help you with traction if you get stuck.

B. W. · 12-09-2016, 11:11 AM

If it gets real dicey you can pull the outside duals, throw them in the back, give you more tractive weight & reduced footprint

12-07-2016, 09:19 PM	#1
57NAPCO F’B’D guy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Texas/Maine Posts: 2,207	You winter guys with dually 4X4's, you chain up ? Flying out to Idaho in a week to pick up a 1ton dually 4X4 and drive back to Texas. I will be driving up to Sun Valley, ID from Boise to visit my sister and then to Red River, NM to visit daughter and on home. Weather is looking nasty, I'm thinking I may buy some chains but have never done chains on a dually. Any issues I should be aware of? I am an old salt as far as driving snow covered roads for many years just not with this kind of rig. Thoughts, suggestions? Thanks

12-07-2016, 10:29 PM	#2
57NAPCO F’B’D guy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Texas/Maine Posts: 2,207	Re: You winter guys with dually 4X4's, you chain up ? I guess I could just chain the fronts if it got real nasty, like I think it's going to be.

12-07-2016, 10:39 PM	#3
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,494	Re: You winter guys with dually 4X4's, you chain up ? It depends.... If it gets bad enough, you'll need to chain up, but it's not usually needed. Of course sometimes local laws make you do it, even if you don't need to. We had several 4x4 duallys at work and when we had to, we chained the outside duals. With my K20, I chained the fronts when I needed chains. To me, a 4x4 dually is harder to drive in deeper snow than a 4x4 pickup. I blame the extra tire width out back pushing snow.... the rear tires cannot follow in the ruts of the front tires. Edit: Just occurred to me, we had service trucks with a lot of weight over the rear axle. A typical 4x4 dually pickup, with less weight out back, should do better with chains up front. __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay Last edited by Stocker; 12-07-2016 at 10:49 PM.

12-07-2016, 11:07 PM	#4
57NAPCO F’B’D guy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Texas/Maine Posts: 2,207	Re: You winter guys with dually 4X4's, you chain up ? Thanks, weight over the rear end is something I thought about, sand bags at local hardware store may be order.

12-07-2016, 11:41 PM	#5
bilfman Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Regina, SK, Canada Posts: 622	Re: You winter guys with dually 4X4's, you chain up ? Use water softener salt bags, heavy and cheap. And can be used in a softener after winter, I do this all the time. They make a cable style of "chain" that works well and is cheaper and less invasive then chains, may be an option for you. __________________ 1979 Chevy Dually Crew 4X4 454, D60 Tru-trac, D70 Detroit Locker, 3.73, 4L80E/NP205 1971 GMC 3/4 Ton 4X4

12-08-2016, 01:14 AM	#6
57NAPCO F’B’D guy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Texas/Maine Posts: 2,207	Re: You winter guys with dually 4X4's, you chain up ?

12-08-2016, 03:07 AM	#7
andrewmp6 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Louisville,Ky Posts: 5,811	Re: You winter guys with dually 4X4's, you chain up ? Depends your tires and how much snow,I rather have them with me and never need them then wish i had them.

12-08-2016, 11:03 AM	#8
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,858	Re: You winter guys with dually 4X4's, you chain up ? I'd do just outside on rear. Be safe. It makes the trip long staring into snow coming at you. Hopefully that will be at your back. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

12-09-2016, 03:52 AM	#11
andrewmp6 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Louisville,Ky Posts: 5,811	Re: You winter guys with dually 4X4's, you chain up ? And i carry a bag of cheap kitty litter it can help you with traction if you get stuck.

12-09-2016, 11:11 AM	#12
B. W. Registered User Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Bigfork, Montana Posts: 1,137	Re: You winter guys with dually 4X4's, you chain up ? If it gets real dicey you can pull the outside duals, throw them in the back, give you more tractive weight & reduced footprint

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