I thought I'd ask the tech's this question versus posting it over in the 2500hd section...

I just bought two sets of chains at costco for my stock (with 245s) 2500hd 4wd truck. I then got into a discussion with a guy in my office who is in search and rescue and he said that most 4WDs say to only chain up on rear becase the front axle can't take as much as the rear and it will get torn up...

I then checked the manual on my truck and it says to only chain up in the rear. On my 4X4 pickup - can I chain up all 4 wheels and not have any problems? Why does the manual say to only chain up in the rear?

thanks,
jeff

At higher speeds the chains can do damage to the front end when turning the wheels. I believe this is a partial reason for no front tire chains. When we are going to our cabin and need to get in and need to chain up, we do all 4 tires as we are generally going slow to climb the hill. Of course, if I need to chain up, I'd rather ride the snowmobile into the cabin. :)

Don Miller

BE vary careful of the chains. last veay in Oregon I saw many trucks have chains come lose and knock the brake lines off. just be careful....

I suspect that a lot is due to the front axles just not being as tough as they used to be. I used to chain up the fronts only when plowing....was much better to plow with.
What you might want to think about is putting a heavy set of chains on the rear (ice breakers) and a light set (or even cable chains) on the fronts in certain conditions. The light chains on the front will help with steering control and braking yet shouldn't add much stress to the front drive axle. As the guys said, avoid "chain flyout" by sizing the chains to your tires, putting them on as tight as you can at first and then check and re-adjust them after a few miles if needed....use good tighteners....several sets per wheel if you have to. The faster you go; the more the chains will fly out. This won't hurt anything unless, of course, you have little clearance. On the HD's thats going to be in front of the front tire first, and the rear of the front tire second. The rears should be just fine and can handle a lot of flyout.
As for me, when it gets deep enough.....all 4 of them will get chained period.

Jeff there is a chain dealer in hillsboro off of Corneilies Pass road and 26.
"hillsboro chain". I remember it being on the east side of the road. They have the chains with the cam lock. i had a set on my ranger. work very smooth. flop the chain on all the way around. uase the supplied wrench and turn all the cam adjusters to tighten then add the bungie straps the the outside and they never come lose.

Oh Yeah!.....If you can get cam locks....DO IT.....use to use them on fire engines with the big tires. Didn't know they made them for the smaller ones. Get them and you can forget about tighteners.....they'll be tight.:ro)

For what looks to be the ultimate tire chain source check Tirechain.com. (http://www.tirechain.com/Default.htm)

my manual says not to use chains at all,asked the dealer,he said it voids the warranty?I am not really concerned,living in san diego, but went to tahoe in nov.snowed 3ft in 2 days still did not use chains and my truck did fine, even on roads with 12ins of snow-this was a sore subject for me I was always onder the impreesion to use or atleast carry chains, just in case-

www.onspot.com (http://www.onspot.com/):cool: