Will Snow Chains On Just the Rear Axle of 2015 Chevy Tahoe Help Get Around in Snow and Ice

Published 04/28/2017

Question:

I wanted to buy a set of Titan Chain Snow Tire Chains w/ Cams - Ladder Pattern - V-Bar Link. I am driving from New England back home to Alaska this fall/winter and will need chains to deal with ice/snow on the mountain roads normally I run 4x studded tires in AK, but I wont have them with me on this return trip - this trip I will only have 4x Nokian Rotiiva AT Plus all-seasons. I have a 2015 Chevy Tahoe LT 4wd with P265/70/R17s. According to the owners manual, If the vehicle has P255/70R17 or P265/70R17 size tires, use tire chains only where legal and only when necessary. Use chains that are the proper size for the tires. Install them on the rear tires only. Do not use chains on the front tires.inch I dont understand why I cant put chains on the front tires. When in AK, I always used 4 studded tires because we drive on sheer ice for dozens and dozens of miles, so you want excellent traction in front and back. Wouldnt having the front tires lacking studded chains traction on ice cause the front to slide on ice and then the Tahoe would be awkwardly jolted by the traction of the rear chained tires? Chained and un-chained seems like a dangerous combination. Any suggestions?? Would there be harm in running chains on all 4 tires? If there is not enough clearance on the front then could I run another thinner traction device on the front 2 tires?

asked by: SarahK

Expert Reply:

Tire chains add quite a bit of overall size to a wheel and tire. On steering axles this added size can interfere with several things since the wheels turn and can get close to suspension components and fender wells. That would be why the owners manual of your vehicle states not to use them.

Running chains on just the drive axle of your vehicle will help you still though. We see a lot of people do that and it does get them around in the snow. Ideally you run them on all four wheels but that's not always an option.

V-bar chains like the part # TC2828CAM you referenced are great in icy conditions as the V-bars break up the ice and allow you to get to traction below.

expert reply by: Jameson C