ok to put snow chain on rear wheels of a front wheel drive?
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There was one time back in the early '80s when driving through Donner Pass that I had to put chains on the FWD car I was driving. The chains are put on the "drive" tires, which in this case are the front ones. If driving a RWD pickup truck, the chains go on the rear tires. But as stated above by some of you, on a RWD or FWD automobile, chains on all the tires provide more traction.
I've a 2002 honda crv and we took it up to a nearby snow mountain last week. snow chain was required but haven't had to use it in 10 years, so memory is fuzzy.
Initially I put the cable on the two front wheels but while driving on dry road, the front wheels kept slipping, so the cop told me to put them on the rear. The road was closed about a mile up so we never tried it in icy/snowy condition.
My question is is it ok to put cable/chain on the rear wheels if the vehicle is front wheel drive? the front wheels slipped, is it because the cable was on too loose (i had them on pretty snug tho)?
Agree with all who say the chains were not properly installed. The cop is a moron. Chains go on drive wheels.
When you only put chains on front tires, front tires have brake action and as rear tires not having chains car can spin around and cause serious problems, especially going down hill with a curve. At chain up required check points most in mountain conditions demand chains on all wheels.
Or with 4x4 and AWD, you are not required to use chains if you have studded snow tires.
Especially with cars like our Explorer AWD, which has a dial you dial in snow conditions, and it is fantastic in snow and ice conditions. Going dowh hill (steep hill) press a button and suddenly you have great hold back ability as it adjusts the transmission plus breaks to hold it back at a safe speed.
Unless you live in California. Then they make everyone put chains on. Even if your owner's manual advises against using chains, like mine does. Personally, I don't use studded tires or chains. Most Alaskans don't.
Interesting. In what state is either of these requirements true?
It wasn't true on Donner Pass in CA and NV the last time I crossed in a snowstorm.
It isn't true in Montana, Idaho, or Washington on I-90.
Yes, it is true in many (if not most) states that if chains are required, you may get by with M&S rated tires on your four wheel drive, but studs are not required. If conditions are really bad, you may have to put chains on your 4X4! However, when conditions are THAT bad, it is time to stop and wait.
Of course, if you are towing a trailer, you will likely have to put chains on the rear wheels of your 4X4, AND on at least two wheels of the trailer (if it has brakes).
If you are driving a dual wheeled truck, based purely on personal experience, don't bother to ask the "Chain monkeys" at the chain-up area to put them on for you. They are likely to say "No, we don't do duallys!" Be prepared to do it yourself.
What's so hard about duallys?
When I was a garbage man, we had to chain up our trucks in snow. We'd carry a 4"x 6" chunk of wood with one side cut at an angle. We'd put the block in front of the inside wheel and drive it up on the block (we chocked the front wheels for safety too). That would give us room to chain up the outside tire real easily. Repeat for the other side. Total time about ten minutes. This was a city department too, so we had to follow the laws.
Of course, they may have different laws in different areas, but we got around fine in snow covered hilly roads and alleys, even when fully loaded.
When I was a garbage man, we had to chain up our trucks in snow. We'd carry a 4"x 6" chunk of wood with one side cut at an angle. We'd put the block in front of the inside wheel and drive it up on the block (we chocked the front wheels for safety too). That would give us room to chain up the outside tire real easily. Repeat for the other side. Total time about ten minutes. This was a city department too, so we had to follow the laws.
Of course, they may have different laws in different areas, but we got around fine in snow covered hilly roads and alleys, even when fully loaded.
At the time of which I speak, I was driving a 4X2 one ton dually with M&S rated tires, towing a flatbed trailer with an AMC Eagle SX/4 on it. I had single chains. The "chain monkeys" on the CA side of Donner refused to put them on for me, so I did it myself and kept my money in my pocket. I got wet and cold, the "chain monkeys" lost money. I turned the trailer brakes OFF, and proceeded on across the pass at 25 to 30 MPH. the inspector at the end of the chain-up area didn't even blink about not having chains on the trailer, when the brakes were off.
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