In mud, tundra, bog, not to mention snow & ice, chains are the way to go. Its a lot nicer to put them on, Before your stuck! There are lots of places, where I live, where there is nothing to tie a winch line too.
Military tires with the non directional tread are notorious for lack of traction on snow, ice and hardpac. Spinning out on a hill is not really so bad! Its sliding off backwards, especially with a trailer, that is hard on the seat cushions. A single tire chain on one rear tire, with duals, is not even smart or legal in most northern areas. On hardpack with a single on a dual, the axel spins, just a little, the chained tire creates a divet, and the inside tire holds up the chained tire - your still stuck.
If its slippery, chain her all the way around. 3-railers on the rear! Like I said - if its slippery... "all the way around"! You'll need singles on the front for steering. That front axel does a lot more work then one might think.
If your buying them new, get Campbells, or Weeds. If the the center rail has latch, replace it with a hook. The front singles can have just a hook on the inside, rather then a latch too. Its faster that way. It doesn't hurt to have at least one single on, if your dragging a trailer. That way it will track, rather then swing out into oncoming traffic, when you use the brakes.
On three railers - lay them out flat on the ground, outside up, then fold half of them over onto themselves. then pick them up by the inside rail & hang them neatly on about 4 hooks on the front bumper. When you want to put them on, again pick them up by the inside rail and lay them on the outside dual, then just flip over the other half, onto the inside dual. They are ready to hook the center rail FIRST, then the inside, then outside. Roll the truck a quarter turn, and adjust them for tight. I make hooks for the front bumper with half x two bar stock that just hooks over the front bumpers top flange with a tight bend & the weight of the chain holds them in place. They are nice & neat that way & not tangled! Plus they are relatively clean & not packed with snow or mud from the roadway.
Yes, when its slippery, there is nothing like being chained all the way around. Chains add a comforting dimension to traction!
Lee in Alaska
