What is everyone using for snow tires. Here in Ca. they make you have snow tires on for the mountains - and you must carry chains. But GM will void warranty with chains - own't they?

Has anyone used chains, and if so do you put them on the outside back only , front and back or??

Do you have to put chains on all 6 tires if it's 4x4?

I thought I read somewhere that if you had tires with the "snowflake-on-the-mountain" symbol, you didn't need chains. I don't even know if they make LT tires with this symbol - maybe Blizzaks?

As far as chains, I believe you just need them for the outside duals. Not sure if they requier them on steer axle.

Looks like further investigation is necessary...

Kendall , are you runnung this truck as a commercial vehicle?

No not commercial - I use it with a camper, but am thinking of going to Yosemite at Christmas - ( Yes I used the word Christmas, not Holiday)

Here are the rules -
ere is a list of explanations for the Chain Control code used by the National Park Service in Yosemite National Park.

R0 - No chains Required.
R1 - Tire Chains required for all vehicles unless they have snow tires (even 4-wheel drive)
Park Signs will read "AUTOS & PICKUPS SNOW TIRES OK"
This means chains are required for all vehicles unless they have snow tread tires - even 4-wheel drive vehicles must chain up unless they have snow tires.
R2 - Tire chains required for all vehicles unless they have snow tires and 4-wheel drive
Park Signs will read "4W DRIVE WITH SNOW TIRES OK"
This means chains are required for all vehicles unless they have snow tread tires on all four wheels and the vehicle is engaged in 4-wheel drive. This is for all 4-wheel drive passenger vehicles with an unladen weight of less than 6500 lbs.

R3 - Tire chains required for ALL vehicles - no exceptions
Park Signs will read "NO EXCEPTIONS"
This means chains are required on ALL vehicles. There are no exceptions. Yes, this means even 4-wheel drive vehicles!

Additional Info
Snow tires must have a minimum tread depth of 6/32 of an inch to be legal

Tire traction devices (chains) can be link chain, cable chains and/or spider straps

Studded snow tires may be used if the tires are also rated as snow tires, if not, the tires must be chained up as Studs do not replace chains.

Any vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds must chain up. (Typically this applies to large vans and up.)

All vehicles, including those with 4-wheel drive with snow tires that are towing trailers must have chains on one drive axel of the vehicle

Kendall , If you are not commercial then the rules apply as they are stated in the park rules , Dual chains are only required on commercial vehicles so a set of singles would meet the requirements , also its easy to chain up just build yourself a set of blocks to drive the inner tire up on. warranty will only apply to damage chains might do if you throw one , run cables and use a lot of bungee's to keep them tight and you will be fine.The only reason to chain the front would be if your in really ugly conditions and stuck . bringing a couple bags of sand won't hurt. If this is a first fit them at home B4 you go and you won't get surprized in a snow storm.

Just buy yourself a set of BFG A/Ts and throw something heavy in your bed. You wont have a care in the world, unless the snow gets really heavy in which case you probably shouldnt be on the road anyway.

Thanks guys, I'm not in the mood to have my Christmas ruined by me not being prepared.
carhauler - thanks for the tip on doing a dry run.
JhnZ71 - would I have to run the BFG all around - or just on the back 4?

Guys,

Up here in the Great White North (Western Canada), I've found that after a year or 2, the BFG All Terrain TA's lose some of their grip in winter. I now only run them in summer.

For winter driving, I use a set of Nokian (Manufacturer) Hakkapeliitta (model) studded tires. These things are fantastic on snow and ice. They work extremely well without the studs if you are not allowed to run them in your areas.

They are made in Finland and may be hard to find, but they are definitely worth the money.:ro)

Photo

Pro-Comp AT's have the "Severe Weather" approval rating. I do not know of many other brands which have this rating.
Over the years I have had to chain up many times during elk hunting trips when the snow gets deep even with AT's or MT's. IMO it is best to chain up the front axle traction is most needed by the pulling axle and not the pushing axle. It most definatly will assist you in the steering as well. Funny, I have seen so many people chain up the rear and still get stuck...very common mistake.

In the western US there are some roads in the mountains that require chains regardless of what you drive under some conditions.

I was reading in OOIDA magazine (at trucking magazine) regarding snow chains recently. The requirements vary by state, even for commercial vehicles. Some conditions require that at least one brake axle on a trailer be chained. Some require both tires on a dually be chained and some require only one tire on each side of the dually be chained. On big trucks some conditions permit only one rear axle to be chained and others require both. All of the mountain states require chains to carried in the correct quantity during certain months.

Cables are not permitted to be used in some states while others will allow cables of certain types to be used under certain conditions.

The end result of this is: check your state and the states where you will be traveling.

If you are hauling commercial I guess the best policy is to carry enough chains for the rear tires and one set for the trailer.

Anyone know where I can get chains in Texas???

I know the BFGs have that severe weather warning, you are right about them loosing their grip.

I dont think there the longest lasting but i really have had good expirences with them. My truck performed 100x better in the snow with them.

There are many brands but a good AT tire should do it for you. I would probably get them on all six tires if you have the money or need new tires. Studded tires are expensive and are only usable in the winter. Thats why i probably would suggest against them. Chains are only for really severe weather, if you throw one your not going to be very happy.

Try the BFGs and if it is really bad out put in something heavy in your bed, also if you can step up to a slightly wider tire than stock that owuld help too for snow.

Kendall I recently drove thru Donner Pass @ 3a.m.. It was snowing and I did not have chains. I am running 285/75R16 Goodyear Wrangler ATS tires. I bought a set of chains to have with me since I will be making the same trip in a couple weeks but I did not have to chain up. Cal Trans 'glanced' at my tires at best and waived me on thru.

If I ever needed them every year I'd look at www.onspot.com. I've looked into them before and the price is within reason if you have more than the occasional need.

yet another link that may helphttp://www.shaffertrucking.com/drive/faq-chains.cfm

http://www.tirechainsrequired.com/index.html

they were on my door step 2 days later.

the only reason I got them was I pull RV trailers. I went to get a load at the yard and it had snowed. The roads were fine, the lot was snow packed ice:( . 2 wheel drive could not even back up a slight hill to hook up to a 40 footer, let alone pull out of there.

Make sure you check the legality of them in all states that you plan to use them. They are illegal in Indiana (where I haul out of) but to get out of the lot should not be a problem.