Snow Chains?

[Toothy]

ok.. go ahead and laugh if this is a stupid question.

I'm flying into MT Oct 22, and will be renting a 4WD for our trip.. is it possible to rent snow chains. On my last trip, we used a friends vehicle and we did end up using chains the last 4 days. The weather then went from beautiful to perfect (snow).

[ElkNut1]

Not sure if you can rent them but you can purchase them at certain places like Les Schwab or other tire stores. Most will take returns if not thrashed. This way you are prepared & not be out any monies if not really needed. If needed it's a 100.00 well spent! (grin)

ElkNut1

[powderhogg01]

I would just buy some like elknut said, that way you have them, but it might be possible to get the rental company to throw in the chains as part of the deal, likely something to call and try to work out before hand though.

[Njdiverdan]

I doubt a rental company would want someone putting chains on their truck. Too easy to screw it up and have a chain come off at speed and rip it up. Buying a set and then returning them if unused would work. Remember, chains are for getting you out of trouble. If you put them on and get into trouble (stuck) there is not much more you can do.

[Toothy]

I doubt a rental company would want someone putting chains on their truck. Too easy to screw it up and have a chain come off at speed and rip it up. Buying a set and then returning them if unused would work. Remember, chains are for getting you out of trouble. If you put them on and get into trouble (stuck) there is not much more you can do.

yeah, I'm not bringing it up with the rental company. I just figured if it snows, I'll need them where we're going.

Regarding your 2nd point, I didn't realize that, but it makes perfect sense... throw them on when you're stuck or in a bad way. I have no experience with chains other than we had to use them and I remember my friend, laid them on the ground and drove over them and then she hooked them up.. yes she! lol She used bungee cords to keep them tight, we broke them a couple times and they'd get replaced with spares.. I guess maybe the chains were larger than the tire size? I see online they're bought based on tire size. She took them off going down the road, saying it cost too much in fuel. Strong girl.

[Njdiverdan]

Chains will be slightly larger than the tire and usually need a tensioner or bungie. You really don't want to run too fast with chains because again the forces involved can cause them to come off and do a bunch of damage. They will also chew up your tires if you run them on a hard surface. They are a must have out here as you can encounter pretty bad conditions and they can mean the difference of getting home or not. But again, I would not use them to get into an area...only to get out.

[dotman]

Something to consider, today's trucks are built with very tight clearances, most trucks built after 2010 can't fit chains without tearing up the abs lines and inner fender. They all say they can't be used, so beware you may have to get tire cables. For my 2011 GMC 2500 it says I can't run chains, well I have a set anyway. No issue on the rear and on the front I did have to trim out some of the inner fender plastic and level the front end out. The chains I have tighten in four spots so they get very tight.

Have not had to use them yet but when I was truck shopping this was something I looked at and they all pretty much say no go with chains and no way am I using cables.

[Toothy]

dang.. good point dotman, I'm sure all rentals will be new/newer, I'll need to check the specs on the truck in more detail.


btw, I called Les Schwab, they don't rent chains, like elknut said,.. and they do take them back if they were never used, but. But in April only, odd but yes.


I think my only option will be to buy some from Wallyworld and take them back or just leave them in MT for some lucky hunter.

[husky390]

I think my only option will be to buy some from Wallyworld and take them back.

I did that one year. Never used them and they took them back.


You can try these. I saw them at an Ace Hardware and thought that was a pretty good idea. Take all of this with a grain of salt as I grew up in Az and have yet to have to use tire chains. On the other hand, they're light enough to fly up with you and at least you'd have something.

http://www.amazon.com/Zip-Grip-Go-Cleat ... B009M6TXLU