Planning a little early here but I figured this is one of the better palces to ask. Will be taking a trip to Colorado next year to spend a week with relatives in December. What do you guys/gals recomend for chains and why? Do you run them on all 4 tires (4x4) or just the back 2? Are the fronts a different style than the back? I'll also be towing the trailer so should I throw a set or two on those wheels also (3 axles)?:confused:

I have never driven around Colorado but I am sure they have a road law in that area of the mountainous region that states you WILL have chains to continue on the road up through the pass.
If you do plan on going up there make sure this is infact the case in the area you plan on going to. And if so get chains for all four. I am not sure if you will need chains for the trailer or not by law. Coming down a hill that is slick might be a good idea to have them on the trailer if you have them on the truck as well. Some here will say don't bother with chains. They do create a lot of damage to tires and other parts if not installed correctly and if going to fast. I would keep the speed down to respectable level when they are on.
Like I said before get all four of the tires done. If it is that slick out that warrents chains then all four tires will need them even if you have lockers in the rear.

Just on a note for being slick. I backed out of my garage yesterday and left the truck running to warm up while I finished some things in the garage. I went inside for a second to tell my son lets go, and when I went back outside the truck started to slide down the drive way. The weather up here has been hanging around 32 deg f. so it has been snowing and mostly raining on icy roads. I keep my truck in 2 wheel drive most of the time so the rear wheels were slipping on the drive way while the front ones were rolling. The drive way is maybe 1 - 2 deg angle. Not very steep at all.

If you just put chains on the rear tires you may end up coming down a hill that is slick and when you go to turn the front end may continue to go straight while the rear that has traction will push it forward.

Chains can be expensive especially all four and even the trailer when you only need them one time. But it will be that one time you wish you had them if you did not, aka "Better Safe Than Sorry".
Sorry to ramble just trying to help out.
You will get other opinions.

When we get snow, seems like we invariably get freezing rain and ice. I bought cable chains from SSC Chain Company. They have great grip, they start and stop very well, are easy to install, have tensioners that stop the problem of loosening.

Good luck on what you decide to do.

More info:
http://www.scc-chain.com/Pages%20Traction/traction.html



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Traction & Climbing ability

conditions: hard packed snow, -5C / 23 F, slope 22 degrees up, distances in meters.

http://www.4x4abc.com/images/tech/atraktionstest_r.jpeg

A - Chains on all four wheels B - Chains on one axle C - Studded snow tires D - Snow tires

Driving uphill on hard packed snow can be quite a challenge. With good snow tires you'll get up 27 meters (88 ft) before spinning tires make you wish you had chains mounted. Studded snow tires will get you 2 meters farther - not much (95 ft total). When you combine good snow tires with one pair of chains you'll reach the 32.5 meters mark (106 ft). A truly dramatic increase in traction occurs with two pairs of chains : 60 meters (197 ft) - almost twice as far as with one pair of chains.

So, if you want peak performance and maximum safety from your 4WD - you need to mount two pairs of chains.
Check here if you have only one pair. (http://www.4x4abc.com/jeep101/chains.html)



Braking & Stopping distance

conditions: hard packed snow,- 5 C / 23 F, speed 25 km/h / 15 mph, distances in meters.

http://www.4x4abc.com/images/tech/abremsweg_r.jpeg

A - Chains on all four wheels B - Chains on one axle C - Studded snow tires D - Snow tires

For maximum braking and shortest stopping distances - in this test 5.5 meters (18 ft) - chains are mandatory on all four wheels (A). With chains on only one axle the stopping distance is almost twice as long - 9.0 meters (30 ft) - (B). Snow tires, studded or not, need much too long (12 meters or 40 feet) to get a vehicle stopped (C+D).

The braking test shows an identical result: If you want maximum safety from your 4WD - you need to mount two pairs of chains.
Check here if you have only one pair. (http://www.4x4abc.com/jeep101/chains.html)

http://www.4x4abc.com/images/GIFS/blue_lin.gif

A = Snow tires plus chains on all four wheels

B = Snow tires plus chains on one axle

C = Studded snow tires

D = Snow tires





<CENTER>Source: PEWAG / Austria</CENTER><CENTER> </CENTER><CENTER style="MARGIN: 0px"> </CENTER><CENTER style="MARGIN: 0px"> </CENTER>I don't think it safe to tow in heavy snow.
<CENTER style="MARGIN: 0px"> </CENTER>

I have lived in Alaska and Colorado, best luck I had with one set of chains was to put on front. Easy access and better at turning.

Vail pass has chain law in effect probally 1/2 dozen times a year. I think, emphasis on think if your tires have the little snow symbol you can go without chains. Like the BFG allterrain and some of the Nokian tires.

If you do get chains, go for the Peerless brand chains. They are easy to install and very dependable. They bite like no other. I will add a link later.

One thing to keep in mind, here in Colorado the highway departments are geared up for snow and ice. They have 24hr coverage in most areas and generally keep the roads in good condition by snow blowing, plowing, sanding and the use of mag-cloride to keep the roads passable.
I have kept a pair of chains in every truck I've had and only used them once, (to pull a buddy out of the bar ditch). Have there been times when I probably should have chained up? Yes
Most chain laws only apply to big rigs and two wheel drive vehicles or vehicles without the designation of mud & snow or snow on their tires.
When driving with chains, I would not recommend speeds higher than 40mph. If they come off or break, be prepared for some expensive damage.
I guess it comes down to a matter of comfort level and load. If you are not comfortable/experienced on snow packed roads, prepare to take extra time and chain-up, nothing wrong with eliminating risk. If you are carrying or towing a heavy load, chain up for the passes.
In my experience, I would much rather climb a slick hill than decend one.
Just my opinion................:confused:

Thanks guys. I do plan on taking my time and since this is a vacation trip, There's no reason to hurry! I'll end up chaining both axles on the truck and 2 out of 3 on the trailer if chains end up being needed. Think I'll also stick with chains instead of cables for the extra bite. I'll have to take a look into the Peerless brand.