Put the blocks about 3-4 sections into the chains, then drive the tires onto the blocks so that you can move the chains around and tighten them up without a hassle. Use the tarp to kneel on or lay down on. Chainup areas are usually pretty messy. Toss the tarp into the garbage bag when you are done.


You leaving the blocks between the chains and tires while you driving or are you positioning the chains where you want them, removing the blocks then tightning?

 

uh... no - the blocks of wood are to make one of these

 

I just edited the original post for clarity.

The blocks are used to lift the tire off the pavement without binding up the chains in any way. This allows you to move the chains around and tighten them as needed. If you read the instructions for chain installation they say to lay the chains out, then drive part way onto them for the install. Using blocks to lift the tires clear of the ground and the chains makes it WAY easier to adjust the chains tightly. If you do it right, you don't need to stop after a 1/4 mile to re-tighten the chains.

You don't need the fancy plastic thing shown in the previous post. Wood blocks work fine.

I don't think that driving with wood blocks between the chains and the tire would be something you would want to do for very long.

 

I will second the snow tire vote. I'm running 31 x 10.5 studded Nokian Hakkapalittas, I had them sipe them before they put on as well. Excellant setup. I put them on after the snow falls and pull late in winter when the snow is more slushy than icy. Doing this has gotten me through 4 winters and I still have the sharp points on the studs. If there are extended periods with snow on the ground I think studded snow tires are the way to go. If you don't see a lot of snow but occasionally get up in it chains are nice for peace of mind. My .02 worth.

 

Ah, makes sense. I was a tad lost on the other image my mind was making. Sucks living in a desert climate. Never get to play with those cool things!

 

Subscribing.
Trying to take my wife and kid to the snow yesterday I got stumped when the police increased Caltrans 4wd and snowtires requirement to mandatory chains. We ended up going up the mountain on a less known road and never needed 4wd. However I might pick up chains now to be able to go up where I want. Anyone got recommendations (stores to get them from, chains vs. wires).
Cheers

 

After living in Reno/Tahoe for a long time, I can tell funjumper has gone through the exercise. The blocks and tarp are really helpful. If you have a crappy old rainslicker in your kit, that helps too. Nothing wors than getting filthy arms on your nice new ski jacket.

I did a lot of backcountry snowboarding up there, so I had a small avelance shovel with me all the time, that was great for digging the truck out if it is parked somwhere for a while during a snowstorm. It also works good to clear slush and road crap out of the way. I have the plastic blade, but I wish I had the aluminum.

http://www.life-link.com/llshovel_main.htm

Also the main point here that has not been really touched on... If you are in a 4wd in the snow, getting going is not an issue. the real benefits to having chains is brakeing. When you hit the breaks in any car, and you have no chains, all bets are off, 2wd/4wd they all slide the same!

In snow, depending on how you are stuck, you may NOT want to put chains on, they could end up digging you deeper. Sometimes if you get into 2wd, get the back wheels spinning in first, you can literally push a vehicle sideways and put the back end where ever you want.

a couple times In my old toy p/u I had all 4 chained up and it was awesome.

 

i run all four with ice breakers x on the chain they are heavy and a bitch to put on but i pull out people that have only two chains. i have a cabin in the mountions at 7000 ft 13 miles from the gate i chain up at about 3000 ft in the dry.still the drifts over two feet are a pain
jim

 

Been in close to 2' with my stock '88 4Runner and 30'' BFG All Terrains. Piece of cake. I realized that day why they dont make manual snowmobiles. I was working the gears like crazy to stay on top. Even when I sank down it just kept on going.

 

my areas gotton 180'' so far.. and its like this every year.. ive never owned or used snowchains..