Hey guys - got my first DRW truck and I'm probably asking a stupid question about driving in the snow... Is there anything different with dually I need to know when driving in the snow? I'm assuming you chain-up the outer rear wheels - right?


I would mostly be using it in the snow without a trailer or load in the back... so I'm curious under these conditions how it compares to a single rear wheel pick-up. Any feedback appreciated!


Rod

Supprisingly enough the DRW trucks get less traction than a SRW truck due to more flat surface being put on the ground which which acts like a sled. On a side note it will give more of a foot print on fresh snow allowing the truck to float better on fresh snow than a SRW truck.


I have not had to put chains on a DRW but I would say also to put them on the outside tires, but also make sure that all the rear tires are inflated enough to keep the two tires from making contact and pinching the chains.

Look here at http://tirechains.com


Best set up for duals IMO! Go with S-cam adjusters,ease of tightening,well worth.


http://www.tirechain.com/images/DUALTRIPLE.GIFEdited by: TVolDMax

Were do you live? IMO dont run chains unless you are in a horrid part of the world, no offense but if you dont know if you need chains you either just moved or you dont need em. JMO put some weight(commonly called ballast) and call it good. If that dosnt do the trick and you are constantly having traction problems then get some good snow tires. If that still dosnt work then chains or studs.


You have a grove thingy made for a 2X4 or 2x6 to slide into behind the rear wheels. Put a peice of wood down in those slots and throw a few hundered pounds of weight back there. Sand bags or you can throw bags of water softener salt back there and then use those up in the spring. Othr forms of ballast work but make shure it wont go flying forward in a panic stop or a wreck.

The owners manual clearly states that Snow chains on a dually is a no-no.


I live in Colorado, and make trips on I 70 to Vegas from time to time. I have been caught in more than a few blizzards in both directions. I did not need chains.Edited by: Diesel Dually

The owners manual says to not do alot of things people here have done. The manual gives alot of helpfull advice and guidlines, it is also just a piece of paper to cover there but in case it goes to court or somthing like that.


I do agree though that chains are only a last resort. They will tear up a truck if not put on correctly and will also ruin tires quickly even if put on correctly.


I had a set on my old plow truck and I had gotten some good torque on the front tires and it had peeled the chains apart (the pieces that go over the tire and are held in place with the metal bent over). I did not notice it untill it was too late. It had wraped around my front passenger side brake line and pulled it apart. I was up on a hill side and getting down to where I could get to a brake shop in the winter was not fun. The rear brakes and the driver side worked but it pulled to the right. The plow came in handy as a brake one time.

I don't know if you've got a 4x4 or not, but I've driven DRW 4x4 trucks since '85, and they've gotten better and better with each new model in the snow or slick conditions around here in the Winter. I've never had it in real deep mud/snow conditions, but I've never needed chains on it either.


I'd be real leery of the chains due to the limited clearance between the rear tires on these new trucks, but when we chain up the Fire Engines, all we do is the outside tire of the duals and it works well on them.

I have been in some pretty significant snow storms in my 10 years of owning Dually's and I have never had to put on chains. Matter of fact I have not even switched to 4WD unless I was helping pull some one out. I save that as a last resort. Typically this is a driving behavour change that needs to take place IMHO

Well if you want to drive through ROGERS PASS (BC) between November and March or is it October to April you better have chains with you, AND THATS THE LAW.


good luck

Well in behalf of Letsgo, He is absolutely right. Same law in California. You have to have chains in possession, whether or not you use them, that is a different story....

On my 86 3500 2wd Mason dump. I plowed in snow with it. and never used chains. During the winter of 96 plowed a 3 foot deep storm with it with bald tires.


That truck plowed a lot of snow. the only place you would get stuck if you got the ass end up hill side of a icy slope. Never had any problem going for wards and you should see some of the stuff I plowed.

I have never used the on my personal vehicle,but if you feel you need chains,by all means use them. Edited by: TVolDMax