SNOW CHAINS - Page 2

**daveb** · 05-30-2010, 09:13 PM

Hey Joey, don't get too wrapped up on what they say about the chains up there. It's amazing how many rental cars from the bay area are cruising around with no chains. Most of the signs state “chains or snow tires required”. Where you get nailed is when the weather takes a change and for some weird reason and it snows heavy in late June. Sequoia and Kings Canyon are not Tioga Pass. But I've seen times where, unless you were chained up, you're stopped along with several others but it’s rare. Even in Yosemite the rangers generally just hold you over for a limited amount of time or turn you around. Now the disclaimer...you're on your own

I’ve never been asked to show my chains, but I’m always in a 4x4.

Ed in Montana · 05-31-2010, 06:26 AM

Gentlemen and ladies, it is now Memorial Day, the official start of summer.

All discussion of snow chains must now cease until Labor Day.

Thank you.

TwoVans · 05-31-2010, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed in Montana

Gentlemen and ladies, it is now Memorial Day, the official start of summer.

All discussion of snow chains must now cease until Labor Day.

Thank you.

This from the guy in Montana. Don't you still have about 37 feet of snow on the ground up there?

**BroncoHauler** · 05-31-2010, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jessenej

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed in Montana

Gentlemen and ladies, it is now Memorial Day, the official start of summer.

All discussion of snow chains must now cease until Labor Day.

Thank you.

This from the guy in Montana. Don't you still have about 37 feet of snow on the ground up there?

Yeah, but he's probably running around Death Valley, getting ready to post ANOTHER one of those trip reports.

joey2cool · 06-18-2010, 01:26 PM

Well, SMB West did not have any chains in stock for my tire size. On top of that, during the van purchase transaction they had me sign a disclaimer form stating snow chains can not be used with the vehicle. Does anybody know what's up with that? The Ford owners manual specifically states the type of snow chain to be used with their van. So why would SMB want to disclaim it?

AndrewST · 06-18-2010, 04:10 PM

Maybe because of the size of tires.
If you have very big tires, the space available might be just enough and if you add chains you could damage the body.
My 2 ct...

**daveb** · 06-20-2010, 08:56 PM

I have to agree with Andrew. Chains on over sized tires can do some major damage. SMB is covering their butts probably.

joey2cool · 06-20-2010, 09:18 PM

Based on the two 4WD responders, I suspect SMB is on autopilot and applying everything to 2WD as if it were 4WD. Unless I'm washed up about standard LT245/75Rx16E tires not being "big."

Funny thing, there was a sticker on the windshield warning for a wheel lug check at 10, 20, and 30 miles! When I pulled into a Ford dealer on the way up the coast from my Fresno van pick-up (at about 500 miles with 1000 more to go) they said it was not a Ford sticker and the van should be fine as sold direct from Ford's factory. They checked them just to be on the safe side and not a one was outside of the specified torque.

Still makes you wonder. I don't want to be unsafe or wrech my new rig. I do want to drive in snow conditions when necessary though... Anybody have experience with a Ford 2WD and the E rated 16" tires?

**daveb** · 06-23-2010, 09:27 PM

There were a few instances of new rigs loosing a wheel. It mainly had to do with the wheel spacers sold to help with sway. Probably scared SMB to install some kind of disclaimer.
I've noticed that several companies who sell lift kits also send stickers that indicate that the lifted vehicle will drive different than stock. I got one of those stuck in my pickups glove box that came with the trail master lift kit.