Snow chains/cables: On 4WD X, use in front or on rear tires? Or both? Type?

[superslidestyle]

     I'm new to the offroad scene, I have a basic question for you guys.  Since I will be going to the Rattlesnake/Big Bear trail run, I know I'm going to need chains which I don't have yet.  I'm assuming that 1 set is for two (2) tires only, is that right?  If so, do I put them on the front tires or the rear?  Should I buy a second set and use them on all four tires? 

Also, does it matter if they're chains or cables?  What about the chain pattern?  What differences are there between the regular or diamond pattern chain sets?  Seems to me like the diamond pattern would give better traction over the regular ones (= more money too).  4WheelParts has a set for my 235/65R15's for $77 that would also fit my '07 Nissan Murano with 235/65R18's.  Does that sound right to you guys.  I've seen some basic ones on ebay.com for $30 (with S/H).  Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

[Bobby B.]

FWIW, over the years I've obtained four sets of chains -- every time the tire sizes changed -- and never installed any of them once.  Carried them everywhere from the Eastern Sierra to Colorado.  If you have good tires, such as the BFG all terrains which have a snowflake on the sidewall to indicate rating for snow and ice, you're in good shape.  Slow and steady is the ticket.  Remember that 4 wheel drive is while driving, not stopping.  Plan ahead and leave room and you'll be good.

Only in California have I ever been asked to show I had chains.  Never been asked to put them on, only show I had them.  It could've been a bag of crap chain from the hardware store, they wouldn't have known.

If you are going to buy chains, I would get the easiest ones to put on.  The cable-types are, I believe, what the police vehicles run.  You'll want to run them in the rear; there's less room up front when turning and the rear is more likely to swing around when you lose grip than anything else.

[XterracerX]

I second the motion... Bobby!

Here's the snowflake symbol that can be found on properly rated tires. So far, I've only seen them on the aforementioned BFG All-Terrains and on Pro Comp All-Terrain tires. You should see them on the side of the tires along with max load, psi rating, etc.



Bridgestone Blizzak I heard is one of the best tires for snow but useless (for the most part) in Cali unless you live in an area prone to snow for most of the year.



From my understanding, between cables and chains, cables are much easier to put on and more expensive. Chains are cheaper, gives you better traction, but a pain to install. Drivability is very much affected with either one, worse with chains. Most, if not all, come with a cable/chain tensioner which is vital in keeping the chains/cables in place and not wrapping around your CV, steering, etc.

Like what Bobby said, slow and steady and leave enough room all around you. And remember, you can still slip and slide and toss all around even with cables/chains so don't rely on them too much. I'm speaking from experience driving a front-wheel drive van with chains.

Cables/chains ideally are mounted on the "drive wheel" meaning the wheel that moves you. If in 2WD, that means your "rear wheel." If you're going all 4's, then all of them should have one installed.

Again, if you're on your way to the ski/snowboard resorts up in the mountains, a lot of times the CHP will just verify if your vehicle is indeed 4WD and you just have to "show" that you have a set of chains, whether they fit or not. Unless the weather conditions are so bad (called R3) and you are required to have 4WD and chains at the same time.

The following info is from the DOT. It shows how to interpret road conditions and chain/cable placement. Hope this helps.

=================================================
Chain Requirements
R1: Chains are required - snow tread tires allowed.
R2: Chains are required on all vehicles except four wheel drive vehicles with snow tires on all four wheels.
R3: Chains are required - all vehicles - no exceptions.
R1 and R2 are the most common conditions. The highway is usually closed before an R3 condition is imposed.
=================================================

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/ChainRequire.pdf

[Soylent Yellow]

Fred you forgot...

R4:  Road closed except for yellow Xterras and yellow Frontiers with one Xterra front, driver's side door.

[FrankB]

Fred you forgot...

R4:  Road closed except for yellow Xterras and yellow Frontiers with one Xterra front, driver's side door.

What about black Xterras with yellow skid plates?

[XterracerX]

Haha! Looks like the DOT has some serious amendments to do...

[superslidestyle]

We'll considering the the weather we just had here in SoCal, do we need them at all for the Dec. 27 trail run?

[AV Xterra]

We'll considering the the weather we just had here in SoCal, do we need them at all for the Dec. 27 trail run?

I doubt you would need them for the trail run but if it's snowing that day in Big Bear you may need them for the trip back down the paved highway home.