Drag Chain - Tire Chain Discussion

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by dave macrae

We don't carry chains although I have seen guys with them for the truck in the stagging area parking lots. I have never seen any on the trailers. Ushually there is enough weight on the truck and in the trailer and most of the trucks are 4wd that traction isn't really a problem. The only isues I have seen is with guys using trucks with dual rear wheels, the traction with a dually is not good.

Although the snowmobilers tend not to use snow tires on their trailers, that is certainly an option... and in at least some places is a legal (and I think much more useful) alternative to chains. Non-studded winter (or all-weather, or even just all-season) tires would be usable year-round if you can stand the rate of tread wear.

Since trailers typically have relatively narrow tires for the load they carry, they are better in icy conditions than typical car tires (or unloaded dually pickup trucks)... but cold weather still causes traction problems especially with summer tire rubber.

Although it is obvious to many, I'll note that 4WD in the tow vehicle only helps the rig move forward, while the biggest concerns for safety are braking and control.

[santacruzer]

Originally Posted by davescape

We're thinking about traveling to the Grand Canyon in March with our new 19'---will we need chains and or careful route planning?

Northern Arizona can see substantial snow as late as June, it wouldn't hurt to be prepared to chain up if necessary. You'll be going through Flagstaff, and that's 7,000 feet elevation.

[float5]

Flagstaff can get over 100 inches of snow a year so not a place I would want to be with a trailer in March. Need to go south, very far south, if you want to be out of the snow.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by Floating Cloud

Flagstaff can get over 100 inches of snow a year so not a place I would want to be with a trailer in March. Need to go south, very far south, if you want to be out of the snow.

Yes, Flagstaff gets snow, but by March it's in the 40's, and when I was there in 2012 March was 50's-- and no snow except on Mt Humphrey. In any event I don't think you'd need chains in March -- except in a high mountain road. The elevation drops rapidly once you get to Camp Verde, only an hour south.

[float5]

Besides snow, temperature is the next biggest problem. Can't stay any length of time if temps do not go a good bit above freezing in the day since it is often down to as low as 22 or so at night in Flagstaff, so you would have to watch the weather carefully. March snow average is over 20 inches in Flagstaff and I read one place that that is the snowiest month.

[azjack]

If you approach from the North or West you turn off before reaching Flagstaff. Williams or Cameron will have less snow than Flag unless it is a tremendous storm and your trip down south will already prepare you for anything in AZ. I gave up my chains when we moved from Utah, but I always buy all weather tires.
If you want to go to the North rim, check the road first, it does go through the pine trees and twisty.
We did have snow once in 20 years on Easter in Tucson, 2600'. It was gone by 2:00pm.
Jack

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by azjack

If you approach from the North or West you turn off before reaching Flagstaff. Williams or Cameron will have less snow than Flag unless it is a tremendous storm and your trip down south will already prepare you for anything in AZ. I gave up my chains when we moved from Utah, but I always buy all weather tires.
If you want to go to the North rim, check the road first, it does go through the pine trees and twisty.
We did have snow once in 20 years on Easter in Tucson, 2600'. It was gone by 2:00pm.
Jack

My experience too Jack. That spring snow typically doesn't stay long.

[davescape]

Thanks for all the Arizona advice. Maybe we'll just drive down the coast until we see people laying on the beach. LA? San Diego? Baha?