Dodge Durango Forum II

Re: Rear only...

Jeff S [AZ] 2002 4.7 4WD SLT
tac333pow@hotmail.com

Since over 80% of stopping power comes from the front tires you should use chains on the fronts also. Most experts advise of chains on all 4 tires for a 4wd vehicle. ABS also can be adversely effected when using chains on only the front or back. If you are going up or down a hill on ice, having chains on the rears only can make you drive off the road. On mountain roads, the advice is to use chains on all 4 tires. Since you use chains for safety, it is silly to save $100 when your life may be at risk.

excerpt from SCC website:

Under normal driving conditions, a vehicle has about the same amount of traction at each wheel, creating a feeling of "normal" control during braking, acceleration and cornering. Under snow and ice conditions this balance is destroyed. If winter traction products are installed only on the front tires, the rear of the vehicle can swing around during braking and cornering. If winter traction products are installed only on the rear tires, the steering ability of the vehicle is limited. To get this balance back, the vehicle should be completely equipped with traction devices on all 4 tires.

Mon Dec 1