Which Axle Should Snow Chains Install on for a 4 Wheel Drive Vehicle

Updated 12/27/2018 | Published 12/23/2018

Question:

ON my 2006 Nissan Titan Pickup with canopy pulling a travel trailer, should I put the single set of chains on the back or front wheels, and if so should I switch to 4 wheel HIGH? I will be pulling a single axle travel trailer 3500 lbs and have chains for it too? So is the best choice to put the chains on the back wheels and switch my 4X4 to 4 hight? Appreciate your advice. I have bought lots from etrailer in the last ten years.

asked by: Dean

Expert Reply:

When using a single set of tire chains on a vehicle that is 4 wheel drive or all wheel drive you want to install the chains on the primary drive axle. Typically this will be listed in the owner's manual. But for a 4WD drive vehicle the axle to use is the rear axle. We had Pewag here once and they said the rear axle is almost always the way to go mainly because of inclines and declines. When going up a hill the rear axle will have more weight on it so it will have better traction to get up the hill and then when going back down the hill the rear axle having more traction will help keep the vehicle from losing control.

Some states do require tire chains on braked trailer axles as well.

expert reply by: Jameson C