tire chains vs 4by4?

[bluebombersfan]

Do you guys think a RWD with Tire chains is almost as good as 4by4 in alot of snow? Just wondering what guys comments would be. I have used tire chains on my RWD ranger sport and was impressed by the difference they made. Maybe comparing them to a 4by4 is a bit much. Maybe tire chains on rwd would be equal to say a vehicle with limited slip diff.
I am definatly happy I got them. I can put them on in about 5 minutes and am very satisfied at the diffrence they make.

 

[Mickey Bitsko]

Answer to your first question is a definite NO ! But chains on a rwd is by far and away better than a LS in snow.

 

[adsm08]

I think as far as traction is concerned I would rank it 4x4, tire chains, then limited slip.

I have L/S in my truck, and my driveway is a sheet of ice right now, with one clear patch where the truck was parked when it snowed last. If I stop with the rear wheels in that clear patch I can get rolling no problem. If I stop on the ice I need the 4x4 to get moving again, a feat that I could probably accomplish in 2wd if I had chains.

4x4 does offer one advantage that neither chains nor limited slip can give on their own though. 4x4 can help improve steering and longitudinal stability. Those are the only times I ever really use it. If the front end slides though a turn it helps to put power to the steering wheels to get them to pull you through the turn (that's why FWD cars are so good in snow). Similarly if you are already moving and you feel the rear start to get squirrely you can throw it in 4x4 and the power to the front wheels will pull the front along and help straighten the fish-tail before it becomes a spin.

Weight distribution can help with longitudinal stability though. My BII is much more stable going in a straight line on bad roads than my truck is because there is a lot more weight over or right behind the rear axle, because the 23 gallon fuel tank is right behind the rear axle. So sand bags.

 

[dirtcowboy]

If the weather conditions are that bad I chain the front tires. I don't drive 2wd vehicles in the winter.

 

[Mike Tonon]

I had an 87 Ranger 2wd open diff I used to put 4 studded snow tires on and about 200 lbs in the bed. It moved (and stopped) very good.

 

[Carlos Murphy]

4X4 any day, why wrestle with chains on your knees in the snow when you can just push a button or pull a lever and go?

 

[Will]

There are situations where a chained 4x2 would be better than a 4x4. When you can't float on a surface, you have to rip down and grab traction below it. Narrow tires are better on ice. Chains are great on most surfaces because they paddle, or they grab like lugs. Given equal tires, a 4x4 is always better. But chains are really good. The main problem is, they are good in the county where they don't plow, but when you get to town you have to take them off.

After much experience--old fashioned link chains are better than the cable type, but harder to put on. Way back when, I could get my wife's Geo Prizm up our snowed drive with cable chains when a 4x4 with 2 open axles wouldn't make it. But the Prizm was swallowed in snow over 8" even with the chains where the 4x4 wasn't. It's not an easy question.