Tried searching but didn't seem to come up with the info I need. My owners manual says don't use tire chains. Why not? I believe it said because of possible body contact, which I suppose could happen if I had a couple of tons of stuff in the bed, but empty? So, has anyone used tire chains on the new body style dually? On only the outside tire? Thanks in advance...

I don't think there's a problem on the rear, the front is the problem.

running stock tires?

Yes, stock everything. So, tire chains on one or both rears? Inner or outer for just one? Thanks.

I think this might get better response if moved to the dually section...
Mods?

Yes, stock everything. So, tire chains on one or both rears? Inner or outer for just one? Thanks.

I've dually cables (look like chains but made w/ cable and hardened rollers)for our dump truck, go over both tires and since they're on 5/16" OD or so they don't stick out so far.
the chains on outside tire let you tighten them up better than on the inside tire. but inside tire does a better job because of the crown in most roads.





We'll leave it here a while longer, not many use chains anyway. it it doesn't get more replies we'll move it.

Thanks. Will be going over Stevens Pass in WA just after Xmas with family and they sometimes have chains required. Don't know whether to take truck or wife's 98 Volvo AWD, which also "can't" use chains. But, in the trucks case I have 2 sets from last truck, 2003 GMC 2500HD Duramax. Probably wasn't supposed to use them on it either, uh?

put them on the o/s, unless you really like rollin around under the truck in the snow. Much easier to put on the o/s. I don't see any reason you can't put them on your truck, it beats the alternative I guess. As long as they fit I would run them if needed.

Check out tirechains.com. Has good prices and quick shipping. They even have chains for duallys, one pair fits both tires. You don't need 4 pair to do all the rear wheels.

Just installed my V-bar chains. Bought from tirechains dot com years ago for an old yard truck, just cut down to size for fit my GMC.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f364/lcgarage/Truck/chains.jpg

Here's my setup with singles in back for winter. Still a dually?
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f364/lcgarage/Truck/WithChains_65.jpg

when we have toi chain up our trucks (fire apparatus) we just do the outside tires. We back the trucks up on to ramps using the inner tire and put chains on the outers. works very well for what we need. get us into the driveways no problem. just make sure the chains are on tight so you don't drop them and rip up the wheel well.

I used to drive logging truck and we had to use chains alot.
Would install and remove them sometimes 8 times a day, due to winter off road, and then highway in the trips.

Lay them out on the road then drive onto them.
ideally you will park with the back of the tire about 8-10 inches from the end of the chain.
Wrap and pull the front of the chain up the frt, over the top, and down the back of the tire.
Pull them tight, hook up the inside first then the outside, tighten the cams.
Drive the vehicle 100 yards, stop, pull up all the slack, and retighten all the cams again.
I see alot of guys hook up with the binders at the top of the tire , but you will nevver get tham as tight as possible that way, beacause your wrestling with the weight of the chain.
I always hook up with the binders close to the bottom of the tire.

When you install tripple rail chains for the big rigs, sometimes all drive axles, you get good at it and find the best / easiest way to do it pretty quick... unless your dumb like truck! LOL

I used to get paid by the load, not the hour, and I could sling 4 sets of tripples (90 lbs a piece!) on the truck , and tight in about 8-10 minutes. If you weren't fast you would get scooped, and might miss another load in a day, or get stuck behind some jack who couldn't drive , and got his rig all crossed up or stuck across the road.

Much easier to install chains before you get stuck! spinning them under the tire sucks !
I would just do both the outside wheels.
Make sure you prerun them before you need them if you can, as they will stretch out alot when brand new.
Run it up to about 30 mph for 10 minutes. Keep checking and tightening them. You might end up cutting a bunch off the chain to limit the loose links.
On chains for a 33 inch tire, I had to cut an entire lateral ring off! over 8 inches removed!
Careful not to cut too much off though , or they will become difficult to install!
I used to run the last loose link throught the binder before locking it down. That would keep it away from the fenders.
Make sure they are real tight, the faster you go the more they will stretch and fling outward from centrifugal forces.
If you think they are tight, they still aren't tight enough.
Use the wrench they give you tighten the cams! It should be really difficult to tighten the last cam!
If you tighten them and stretch them properly, they will never come off, or damage body parts.

I have run v bar tire chains on my pickups, and it is unstoppable in the snow.
Can't use 4wd, but it went more places with a locked rear diff and chains than it would with both diffs locked 4wd, and no chains. Easily!
I had to be careful not to bust up the grill, cause it would push snow right up to the headlights!

If you run aggressive v bar chains, the tire diameter will change enough it will either damage the transfer case or keep kicking it out of transfer case gear in 4wd.