Never ran chains on my personal truck but think this winter is a good excuse to get some. We use a smooth chain with the cam locks on our utility trucks for work, otherwise my only experience is on my tractor and that has smooth chain and the classic clothes pin hookup. What’re you guys running?

Be careful that you do it right I always worried about taking out my brake lines so I avoided them but there’s a lot of different options out there so choose carefully it might save you some grief.

I used to run chains on my truck when I was doing a lot of beaver trapping. It's amazing the amount of snow you can get through. But, you can still get stuck and when you get stuck with tirechains on, you're really stuck.

Just get the right sized chains for your tires and you'll be fine.

there seem to be more options lately; but some of them look pretty hokie.

still, others look like they could work in a pinch.

anyone tried any of the new traction devices?

My plan was just to use em in a pinch. Not really for driving any distance.

UPS had a strap on pair they keep in their trucks my UPS guy was stuck on ice with the natural grade pitch of the lake, he got right out no problem easy on and off.

I always carry 4 chains and a highlift jack. I put chains on the rear only (most trucks front drive axle joints can’t handle the torque of front only chains) and if I get stuck I put the front 2 on to get out and turn around to head back the way I came. I use smooth chain cross bars and old style cam lock connectors with a couple rubber bungees per chain. Heavy duty.

I used to chain up my truck quit a bit back before had 4 wheel drive. I also at timr chained all four wheels on my 4 wheel drive Dakota. My chains are smooth with cam locks. I learn how to put mine on without jacking up the truck or driving on to them.
I found the biggest trick to chains. Put them on before your stuck.
Stuck with chains is really stuck.
My brother still drives just 2 wheel truck. He has cable chains he uses if needs too. Has had them for years


Mac

I learned something about tire chains while elk hunting in Utah. The frost had come out of the ground, and the western clay turned to snot. The ranch I was hunting on had a lot of steep trails, the the Toyota couldn’t navigate the hills. The guide and I got out, and chained up the front wheels. The front? I’d never heard of that. My buddy told me if you have one set of chains, put them on the front. In addition to traction, they’ll allow you to steer better in the mud.

I always put chains on all 4 tires before season.
Make sure the inside chain fits to the last link.
It's ok to have the outside to have a extra link or two.
Had to add a lap link this year, different pickup with bigger tires.

For me Chains have been for getting HOME
Not getting in, as others said chains are great but when you get stuck with them on your really STUCK!
I keep a set for just in case nice insurance policy

Back when I was young and broke I had a 2 wheel drive truck. I had a couple rows a fire wood and my fish house in the back. With chains I could goes about any place I wanted. Now I have a set for Ice fishing (just in case).

The best advice = Is to know how to put them on, with out struggling.

Keep the inside tight without any extra links flopping

Back on the farm we would chain the front, big bale of straw on the back.
And like said above, when you where stuck your stuck.

Tractor and tow rope time.

I love tire chains for my coyote traps!

This is what I intend to have em for. I drive a 2007 3/4 Chevy diesel. With good rubber and our terrain I can get most places without em. But I have got it stuck and I think chains would’ve got me out most times. The front end on that rig is so heavy, while the back just floats. So I’m thinking chains would’ve go on the front, mostly. We had some good snow cover earlier this winter, that all melted to ice and now we’re covering it in snow again. Seems like a good year to have chains.

I'm old school and was taught that if you're going to chain up you chain up all four tires on you're 4wd pickup , my chains I cut down 10.00 truck dual tire chains that were heavy duty chains and had my spare tire to use for a pattern so I knew they were going go fit .

As for the inside extra links I'd recommend that you tie them to another side link with some wire or rope something that won't break so it can't beat the brake lines up,. On the outside extra links I'd hook a tarp strap to them or use another piece of wire or rope to tie them up also .
I liked the 20" tarp straps the best on my 16" tires and used 2 of them per tire and had extras in case any broke .

The other good thing about making you're own tire chains is instead of a cross bar of chain every 4 side links I made my tire chains with a cross bar every 2 side links as then you or you're pickup doesn't get beat up as badly as it makes the ride much smoother .

Then keep a few extra cross links and the large tool handy in case you break one , it's better to have them and not need them than to need them and not have them ha ha !