Class S Rated Tire Chains for a 2014 Ram 1500 Outdoorsman with 265/70-17 Tires

Question:

Just got a new truck, RAM 1500 Outdoorsman 4x4 factory equipped with LT265 70R17 M+S tires. Manual says for P265 70r17 use S class on rear wheels only. Clearance with suspension is really tight in the front !@#$, an Outdoorsman they say ... I have a property in the Sierra with 1 mile of gravel county road usually plowed and 1/2 mile of private road, very steep, NOT plowed. Would like tire chains that are easy to put on/off as they may only be used for 1 mile and 1/2 most of the time. Snow tires might do it often, but I remember having a hard time there with a Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4 with chains on all wheels at time ... Anything you could recommend? I have looked at Thule. Wondering if strong enough, and the K-summit do not seem to fit these tires.

asked by: Michel Y

Expert Reply:

For your 2014 Dodge Ram with 265/70-17 tires we have 3 options for Class S rated chains. Since you will not be going far in the chains you might want to look at cables, # PW3027C. with rubber adjusters # PW99. These will not be difficult to put on and the adjusters will keep them tight. I have linked a video showing a typical installation for you.

Cables may be simple to install but they do not necessarily offer the best grip.

The other options are from Thule. There are the self-tensioning chains, # TH04115267, and chains # TH01594267 that require manual connections after draping them over the tires. With either one you will get more chain coverage on the tires compared to the cables. The self-tensioning chains essentially have a cam lever that should make installation quicker than the ones where you make manual connections.

Both offer steel D-link chain links and offer rim protection (chains are kept away from the rims), and can be released and removed quickly. I have linked some videos showing typical installations of the chains for you.