Chains.

[FalcoColumbarius]

So, it was back around March when I decided that I really ought to get chains for the Miss Lil' Bitchi. I knew that I would be coming across snow and I wanted to be mobile. Down I went to Canadian Tire and spent $70 + taxes and got chains for all four wheels. Next I went on a Delica sortie and we went to the West Harrison FSR area and when we got to K26 we suddenly came across a foot and an half of white slush. Right on, I thought. Out came the Cdn Tire chains, spent twenty odd minutes untangling them, finally got them on, put her into 4L and made it around twenty feet when I started spinning. The wagon would collect the slush under wheel, lift up and fall over. As this was happening I noticed that I was moving closer and closer to the ditch. This was no good so I put her into reverse ~ eventually escaping the white slush. Took the chains off and went elsewhere.

In the next couple of days I stopped by the local Fire Brigade and asked them what they use..... The long and short of it lead me to a place called "Quality Chain", out in Surrey. After putting it off for a few months I went to Quality Chain, got their opinion and they made me some chains. They set me up with what they make for logging trucks, modified to fit my wagon. The zig-zag pattern is to make the ride more comfortable, as well as providing better traction.

Oh, and they like their dogs, whom are very happy members of the crew.



























They are really good guys, who are into what they do.

Falco.

[josh]

Falco

nice chains... wow. I'd have to get some if i wasn't running studded tires. I'll have to keep that in mind. She looks bitchin with those chains on.

Josh

[fexlboi]

They look great and probably the best chains you can get for a Delica, but would be interesting how much $$$?

Would it be not enough to have one pair of chains?

[patty]

Do they really add that much traction? Last year I ripped up a cross country ski trail (groomed) but super loose and I didn't even get stuck, sank allot too. I actually got further then the snowmoibleer trucks I was chacing (they aren't allowed on the trails(snowmobiles that is)...neither was I but hey its my families trails
...I'm not a jackass for messin the trail up cause I'm the one who grooms it.

I'm talking about callaghan country if any one is wondering...not the olympics sight, were the original.
http://www.callaghancountry.com

[freestyler]

They look great and probably the best chains you can get for a Delica, but would be interesting how much $$$?

Would it be not enough to have one pair of chains?

Indeed... what was the cost of those?

[Profister]

Falco, before you disclose the the amount you paid ask everybody to take a happy pill and sit down

[fishslapper]

Hey there...... NOt to speak for falco,but i was there with him and i can tell you these are super chains...
The cost............. $400 for the set he got. They will do a set that is not as beefy but still more than most people will ever need For around $275...... Not too bad for a custom hand made set !! These guys know what they are talking about !!

Falco wanted the best of the best and i think he found them !! As usual, he does nothing half-assed !! only the best !

cheers

[jessef]

For those that go this route, just make sure that you have enough articulation clearance on the front wheels so they don't come into contact with the body. Especially with the monster chains on.

I've seen it happen and it ain't pretty.

Those are meaty. You'll climb like a yak up the slopes !

[konadog]

Nice Falco - I like the gnarly chains and the guys who like their dogs. About using them, if one had only on set of chains for a 4x4, would they be best on the front or rear? And that's a great heads-up on the front wheel clearance and the chains jfasang - makes me quesy just thinking about it The tires (Tyres for the UK contingent ) are sure close on our bus, without chains.

[fexlboi]

Nice Falco - I like the gnarly chains and the guys who like their dogs. About using them, if one had only on set of chains for a 4x4, would they be best on the front or rear? And that's a great heads-up on the front wheel clearance and the chains jfasang - makes me quesy just thinking about it The tires (Tyres for the UK contingent ) are sure close on our bus, without chains.

Just came across this site: http://4wheeldrive.about.com
So if you really have just one pair of chains mount them on the rear axle with 4WD/AWD

[Stewart]

Nice chains but be real carefull. They're extremely hard on diffs and blowing a rear end out in the middle of nowhere sucks huge. I have a few stories about that for our next Deli meet whenever that is, hopefully soon.

Stewart

[Green1]

They're extremely hard on diffs

as with anything else, they're only a problem if improperly used, if you're in a situation that requires chains you're best to have them, if you're driving to the mall on them you're asking for trouble!

put them on for the nasty stuff, take them off again when it's not so nasty!

[FalcoColumbarius]

Okay Kona, Gnarly they are and when I have them on I have a tendency to put Deep Purple on .

For those that go this route, just make sure that you have enough articulation clearance on the front wheels so they don't come into contact with the body. Especially with the monster chains on.

I guess I left that bit out. The chains on the rear are the big studded ones and if I had them in the front they would chew the #*@% out of my wells when turning. On the forward wheels I have V-bars, they clear. That was the first thing that Travis at Quality Chain pointed out. When I go onto a loose surface of any kind (other than gravel car parks, &c.) I put it into four wheel drive. The reason I do this is because I want my turning wheels active. So many times have I seen a wreck on a corner. So many stories have I heard about people loosing control on the gravel covered chatter, even though they changed the attitude of their steering wheels ~ the vehicle kept skidding straight. When your steering wheels are active (i.e.; in 4WD) they are not just pointing but they are pulling as well, especially with LSD. This is why I have chains on the front wheels as well as on the rear ones. The V-bars are a smaller chain (hence the different coloured tensioner) so they do not grind the well. The heavy metal alloys on the rear are the main drive.

The way I look at it: I go places where you don't want to screw up. You want the best possible gear for the job required. The best tools to fit your needs. If for some reason I had to get through that white slush that we encountered on the West Harrison road ~ I would have been hooped with the Canadian Tire chains ~ it would have been a bad day if there was no turning back. These chains are what the logging companies use, I figure they know what to use.

Also, these chains are good for muddy terrain and other off road scenarios. Kind of like wearing corkies.

Falco

nice chains... wow. I'd have to get some if i wasn't running studded tires. I'll have to keep that in mind. She looks bitchin with those chains on.

Josh

Cheers Josh! Nice to hear from you.

They're extremely hard on diffs

as with anything else, they're only a problem if improperly used, if you're in a situation that requires chains you're best to have them, if you're driving to the mall on them you're asking for trouble!

put them on for the nasty stuff, take them off again when it's not so nasty!

Green, Stewart ~ valid points. Honestly though, If I am wearing these babies to go to the mall ~ it won't be the diffs causing me grief, but more likely the local RCMP.

Falco.

[BCDelica]

awesome, you were serious about them being heavy duty chains. Looking forward to the action shots of that traction digging you out of some future path.

I've had the heavy auto store v-bar chain chains, two pairs, and experienced the side slip well climbing snowy steeps. The decision to turn back wasn't because of lack of forward progress, but concern of falling off the toboggan hill/road we were driving on.

Good on you.

[Golf Cart]

Now I know who to call when I get my skidder stuck