Choosing Tire Chains for 2003 GMC Sierra 3500 Dually Truck Plowing Snow

Question:

Hi, I have question about tire chains. Vehicle: GMC 3500, 4x4, dump body, dually Application: Plowing a single steep, paved driveway located in NH. What would you recommend? - Are the dually specific chains better than a chain on each of the dually tires? - In terms of traction which is better: v-bar, twisted, or square chains? - Is the v-bar more likely to mar the pavement? - how likely is the tire to spin with a chain on it and under what conditions would it happen? - The Pewaq than the Titan offerings, why is it more expensive? Thanks for the help.

asked by: Andy

Expert Reply:

For your application plowing snow with your dually truck I suggest a set of rear chains made specifically for your dually wheels as these will be easier to install than separate sets.

In general the thicker the chains' link material is the better the traction. V-bar and twist-link chains provide good grip but a square link chain will do better. A bonus: some square link chains be reversed, allowing you to get the most life out of them. Damage to the underlying road surface can occur with any type of chain if the snow's depth is insufficient. When plowing you'll be in low gear anyway so spinning the tires should not be an issue. Pewag chains cost a bit more because they are made of high quality nickel-manganese alloy and are USA-made, in Pueblo, Colorado.

A set of dually chains like the Pewag 7mm square link # PWE4219SC would be ideal as long as your truck has one of the compatible sizes of rear tires. We show that there were 4 stock tires sizes on your truck: 215/85-16, 235/75-16, 245/75-16 and 255/70-16. These Pewag chains fit the two narrower sizes.

In general, chains on your front tires will also benefit you with better steering and braking. With a heavy plow on your front end some extra stopping power is a good thing.

Before installing any chains you'll want to review the vehicle owner's manual for any guidance related to tire chain use. The auto maker gets the final word on chain use on their vehicles. You can then use the link to select your tire size to see all compatible chains. You can use the filters on the page to narrow the results to your preferred brands.

If you like, after you review your owner's manual let me know your tire size and I will be glad to offer a recommendation that fits your budget.

expert reply by: Adam R