TheSamba.com :: View topic - Snow chains on a 2WD just for traction in the dirt? No Snow.

Sat Jan 28, 2012 11:17 am

Has anyone ever used Snow Chains for traction in mud or dirt for short run traction? Aside from destroying the chains faster than in snow, what else could happen? Tranny explosion? Rocks flying into the guys windshield following you? More rocks flying like bullets into a crowd of curious on lookers leaving a trail of carnage?

Right at 4,000 pounds, 2WD has issues just on slippery grass alone. I thought perhaps chains would help tremendously. :idea:

And don't say go buy a Syncro.

Sat Jan 28, 2012 11:22 am

> 2WD has issues just on slippery grass alone.

dont buy a syncro, but do buy BFG AT Ko tires

I have never tried chains on a 2wd, but I dont see any harm in using them on dirt, on all 4 wheels.

Sat Jan 28, 2012 11:25 am

how about putting a Peloquin TBD on your christmas wishlist?

Sat Jan 28, 2012 11:28 am

Jon_slider wrote: > 2WD has issues just on slippery grass alone.

dont buy a syncro, but do buy BFG AT Ko tires

I have never tried chains on a 2wd, but I dont see any harm in using them on dirt, on all 4 wheels.

I have brand spanking new General Grabbers 6 ply 27x8.5 14lt and love'em.

I just thought that chains on grass and mud would rock.

Peloquin TBD a bit spendy know? And Christmas is so far away.

Sat Jan 28, 2012 11:38 am

4 wheel chains are highly recommended in southern Utah when it can be muddy. I plan on carrying two sets with me in my syncro when I go don there. I have used them on my 2wd air cooled vanagon years ago in snow and worked great.

Sat Jan 28, 2012 11:41 am

if the grabbers already suck on grass, I dont think a TBD would help as much as chains.

get back with your results, and post a picture please

this syncro has grabbers on it, they work great

Sat Jan 28, 2012 11:46 am

Jon_slider wrote: if the grabbers already suck on grass, I dont think a TBD would help as much as chains

this syncro has grabbers on it, they work great
[img]https://picasaweb.google.com/sliderjon/SkiSantaFe2008#5186889184487279954
[/img]
get back with your results, and post a picture please

I just got the Grabbers John, have not even had them on dirt, grass or mud yet. I know they are going to do great without chains but with chains I think they will do even better.

I have just one set of chains not going to get another for the front. This is just for a quick emergency thought to get up a hill on grass or dirt/mud.

Sat Jan 28, 2012 12:09 pm

I've seen it before.

I searched for a few minutes, but couldn't find it. This is what I was searching for.

There is a photographer that showed up at one of the West coast Syncro events. He also took photos of a bunch of split-window buses doing some crazy off-roading adventure. Creek crossings, deep mud traverses, and other gnarly mountain trails.

Those splittys used chains to get through some of the nasty stuff.

picture_not_found.jpg
searched_but_no_dice.jpg
maybe_someone_will_post.jpg

-edit-
Richard Kimbrough is his name
Mt Shasta Snow Trip is the place.

Sat Jan 28, 2012 1:23 pm

Jon_slider wrote: > 2WD has issues just on slippery grass alone.

dont buy a syncro, but do buy BFG AT Ko tires

I have never tried chains on a 2wd, but I dont see any harm in using them on dirt, on all 4 wheels.

215/75R15s on 15" rims t be exact. Chains can help in dirt/mud, but only use real chains. Snow cables won't last long at all.

Sat Jan 28, 2012 1:40 pm

Hey Van,

The chains would help a lot getting in and out of slippery and muddy areas. I used to use them on an old Jeep that had military non directional tires. Remember to keep the chains snugged up and the speed down.

On a side note, I have been considering those General Grabber tires for my ride...... They sound like a good tire to me.

Sat Jan 28, 2012 1:43 pm

Syncro Pilot wrote: Hey Van,

The chains would help a lot getting in and out of slippery and muddy areas. I used to use them on an old Jeep that had military non directional tires. Remember to keep the chains snugged up and the speed down.

On a side note, I have been considering those General Grabber tires for my ride...... They sound like a good tire to me.

These tires rock, real fatties with Grand Canyon deep tread. In a 14" LT tires are very hard to come by. 27x8.5 14LT General Grabber

Pictures of my VW's new shoes coming forth-wit! :lol:

Sat Jan 28, 2012 2:58 pm

http://tirechaindealer.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=24_21&products_id=137

These are the chains I plan on getting

Sat Jan 28, 2012 3:26 pm

in my experience that style of chain does not hold up well off roading in snow or mud. If your just getting around town or across a field cable chains are easier. the olympia sprints from that website might work for mild off roading but the side links arent welded which are commonly the weak points. these are what im getting.

http://pewagchain.com/Products/Snow-chains/4x4-und-SUV/Austro-Super-verstarkt.aspx

ive been trying to find chains that would fit on the front wheels (2wd) for icy grades. there was a new low profile cable chain(SCC z6)i tried but the brake hoses still rubbed.

the tbd works great in some situations not so much in others, but as the only option to increase traction in the automatic i recommend it. if i had a manual i would get a locker first.

Sat Jan 28, 2012 4:09 pm

r.e.wing_fc3s wrote: http://pewagchain.com/Products/Snow-chains/4x4-und-SUV/Austro-Super-verstarkt.aspx

I have heard of this brand but haven't seen where to buy them? Their website is impossible to navigate and find what will fit. I do like those though!

I saw the tigerbus.de got some a while ago http://www.easy2design.de/bla/en/2011/12/03/preparations-part-1/

Sat Jan 28, 2012 4:31 pm

Chains on dirt kick ass.

The diamond ones are way overpriced and offer no advantage over the traditional ladder style chains, they "offer" better lateral grip, but normal chains have very good lateral grip anyway as each piece of chain that crosses the tire has ~12 links pressed into the snow. If you are running out of lateral traction with ladder style chains on you are driving way way way to fast anyway and that is not the fault of the chains.

Sat Jan 28, 2012 5:19 pm

Check these out. Pretty cool set of chains that go on easy and have no clearance issues. You don't have to get them under the wheel, they will go on by themselves once you get them on most of the way. Looks cool to me. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001ED4Q2A/ref=noref?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&psc=1

And video how they go on. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opugSM6xs58

Sat Jan 28, 2012 6:24 pm

more about chains
http://www.bb4wa.com/articles/Chains.html

the only chains I found that fit the OP's tire are these
http://tirechaindealer.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=577

Sat Jan 28, 2012 6:38 pm

davevickery wrote: Check these out. Pretty cool set of chains that go on easy and have no clearance issues. You don't have to get them under the wheel, they will go on by themselves once you get them on most of the way. Looks cool to me. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001ED4Q2A/ref=noref?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&psc=1

And video how they go on. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opugSM6xs58

I can attest to that style of quick ons. I have a set for my BMW and they are great. However, they are not meant for any type of long distance travel or speeds over say 20 mpg. They are for getting you back to the lodge after a surprise snow fall and you brought the wrong ride.

I have these http://www.spikes-spiders.com/
Spikes Spiders and they are spendy but very effective. I would not suggest using them on anything but snow as we are talking about mud , grass and dirt here and the use of snow chains to get more traction on it.

Sat Jan 28, 2012 6:45 pm

Chains can contribute to particulate matter in the air and thus numerous respiratory illnesses, etc. Or, so I read somewhere........

Sat Jan 28, 2012 7:07 pm

Gauche1968 wrote: Chains can contribute to particulate matter in the air and thus numerous respiratory illnesses, etc. Or, so I read somewhere........

If you run them on pavement I could see that, but I think we can agree there isn't really any reason to run them on pavement.