I know, it doesn't snow in So. Cal!

The wife and I are coming up on our 5th wedding anniversary (April) and were planning on going to Sequoia. I've been told that they have snow up there through April most years and that I may require chains.

I've been itching to take the truck on a real road trip but I am afraid of putting chains on low-profile tires and damaging the rims.

Anyone have any experience with this? I know it's not recommended to drive in the snow with this truck, but I may not need it all, either.

Thanks in advance!

 

I have been driving my HD in the snow for the last month. Handles better than expected.

I am not taking snow to the axles but a few inches on the road.

As always speed kills and speed on snow kills faster. Take it easy and you should not have any problems, Check those weather reports before going anywhere.

 

Chains....These nuts out here in Cali.

I lived in the midwest for the first 20 years of my life, and I drove in the snow for months on end in numerous different vehicles. One of them being a '98 Dakota R/T, and a couple of different F-150's, neither with much weight in the back. You will be fine if you take it easy, but I hear they "require" you to have chains in certaing parts of Cali that get more than a millimeter of snow.

So if at all possible don't take the truck in the snow because road salt is a pain in the a$$ to get off esp. if you have the black.

 

chains on 20" low profile tires?

just take it easy, stay out of boost, and throw a few sand bags in the bed over the axle. It does okay.....you'd be bettter off just getting a set of regular F150 tires and rims than putting chains on the HD rims and risking screwing those rims up that would be one expensive mistake
goodluck!

 

Unfortunately, unless you have a 4wd or all terrain tires you could be stopped and required to put on chains if there is a little snow on the ground.

I wouldn't take mine there in winter. Rent yourself a 4wd or take another car if you got it.

 

Just ran into this problem actually, I had to drive to Oregon (no option of taking another vehicle).

. . .so there I was sitting in Pep boys for 2 hours taking their chains and trying them on a 20" tire they had in the store. The closest thing I could get was some chains that are made for 20s, but not the same ones we have. I went and bought the chain and bolt cutters etc. and made my own extention. Actually, it only took about one link on each side and one transverse chain (going across the tread).

I did not have to end up using my creation, and I hope I never do. At least I have them in case Cal Trans says "chains or pull over" (which has happend to friends of mine).

The only other option would be completely custom built chains, I did not have time to invesigate this so I did what I had to.

BTW, when I put the chains on, they did not touch the rims

 

4WL HOGG
I know when I used to live back east I had a set of nylon chain to include the strapping. I think these would cause the least amount of damage should breakage occurr. How bout it you easterns do they still make these?

 

I've never even seen a vehicle in person with chains on it

i know a member on here that has a 02HD that lives up north got a set of studded snow tires for the winter.
you are allowed to run them from april 15-nov 1st here in jersey...thats about all i remember

 

It seems to me there used to be some sort of traction control (chains) made out of a material that would not damage the rim. I'm not sure if they make anything like that anymore.

You might check a reputable tire shop or maybe do a google search and see what you come up with.

 

I appreciate the input. I'll keep my fingers crossed that there is no real snow on the mountain when we go.

Just been itchin' for a road trip.

As for us nuts in Cali. If Johnny B. Law stops traffic at the bottom of the mountain and says I need chains, then I have to pull aside and put them on. It's unfortunate, but out here in Cali (especially So. Cal.) people freak out in the fog, light rain and wind. So stopping the monkeys at the bottom of the mountain and requiring chains is a great idea.

Just had a thought: I should start a petition for two different California drivers licenses. One for idiots (90% of the traffic I see every day) and one for the rest of us who know how to drive. Anyone game?

I've driven in plenty of snow in my lifetime and I know exactly what to expect as far as handling. Obviously won't be flooring it anywhere!