Tire chains..absolutely not, or just a precaution?

xBX said:

I say winch. SDHQ makes a behind the bumper winch. I put it on myself. It fits any Warn winch because they all have similar dimensions and the same secure points.

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Ok, I think I'm sold on the winch idea, that's really slick

I also went in for an oil change on Saturday and asked the techs there. They didn't know the reason for the manual saying no tire chains so the manager said that he'll email SVT on Monday. If I hear anything I'll be sure to pass it along.

The reason it's in the manual is that it is a clearance issue. As someone mentioned the upper ball joint is very close to the inside of the front tires. Fit a set of chains and see if they clear. Jack the front up and rotate the tire. If it clears you will be fine. Most likely though it will rub on the inside. Toyota has the same issue on the Tacoma. Can't chain the front.

I hope you guys are right... I don't have the time or energy to put chains on and off...

We live on a small hill in the N. Georgia mountains and traditionally have had to leave our 4WD vehicles at the bottom of the hill because I can't get up the driveway in winter snow... too steep on asphalt.

This winter, I'm planning on buying a Polaris 850 and putting a snow plow on it to plow the road so we can get vehicles up and down it, its about a 200-250 yard walk up to the house from the street below.

I have to keep boots in my vehicle... trying to climb that snowy hill in dress shoes just doesn't work! It'd be nice to be able to park in the garage all winter, regardless.

OK seriously, how often is there a significant accumulation of snow in Georgia?

Any one ever see those tire chains that mount under a big truck and a Air brake chamber actuates them and they move to the tire and it slings about 6" of chain in front of the tire. Those are cool !

Wish I could post a pic

In the big midwest blizzard last winter I drove through tons of snow that was taller than the tire, (ploughs hadn't been through yet) with the stock tires. The Raptor had TONS of traction. 4X4 plus a locker...

I really can't imagine needing more traction. If you get high-centered, tire chanins won't help anyway.

Make sure you have enough tread though...

Slippery inclines are different then flat slippery surfaces, harder to push something uphill then along flat land.




-Posted with my iPhone.

I never did get an answer out of my Ford dealership, but after looking at how close the upper control arm is to the tire, I think tire chains would be risking a bit too much damage. So I ordered a SDHQ winch mount and a 9.5cti winch and installed everything yesterday

kbear said:

I never did get an answer out of my Ford dealership, but after looking at how close the upper control arm is to the tire, I think tire chains would be risking a bit too much damage. So I ordered a SDHQ winch mount and a 9.5cti winch and installed everything yesterday

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I have that same set up that's been sitting in my garage for a looooooong time - how long did it take you to install it?

Madcowranch said:

OK seriously, how often is there a significant accumulation of snow in Georgia?

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I have seen snow in Atlanta ! And it's not the snow but after it thaws and "refreezes" that's the BIG problem. Also freezing rain down south. I went through birmingham, Al. one year when a light freezing rain just about shut down the city. Wrecks All over !