[articcatbill]

I was getting ready to purchase tire chains tonight for my 2011 Outdoorsman. I read the owners manual and it said you need class "S" clearance chains. I thought I show up at camp with them on my RAM and everyone is going to make fun of me. Then I read the huge caution at the end of the Chains section. It says do not use them at all (ANY) if you have P265/70R17, LT275/70R17....... which my Outdoorsman has the LT275/70R17 tire on it. I couldn't believe it, I have in the past with my other truck had to have chains on all 4 to get into camp. I was just going to get one set for the back with limited slip thought I could get by.

Does any body have any experience with putting chains on these trucks? Can I at least get by with class "S" chains? In case of ice. I would prefer to have V-bars, you know real chains.

I was a little disappointed by this. Any help/experience appreciated.

 

[CdnoilRAM]

I personally wouldn't buy a set of chains unless they were V-bars, but that's just me, if you're putting chains on, then make sure you have chains that will do everything you need them to do. I can't see why they'd say not to use chains on that tire size at all unless there's a clearance issue on the inside of the tire. I don't run chains on my dodge, studded snow tires for that, chains are for the superduty, so I can't help you with the selection issue.

 

[Outfitr]

I had dealer install Nitto trail 295 70 17's on the truck when I bought it. I was underneath looking around and was shocked to see lack of clearance between inside sidewall of tire and upper suspension arm....no room for any kind of chains on front. Rear may be ok but brake line fitting is pretty close. Good news is that these tires DIG in the snow and hopefully chains won't be needed. I have to wonder what kind of brilliant engineer team came up with a 4 wheel drive vehicle that you can't chain up?

 

[articcatbill]

Spent some time under there looking around, yea that brake line is pretty close. I agree design a truck you can't use chains on either axle doesn't make sense to me. Really if that brake line just ran along the axle then out to the caliper it wouldn't be a problem. Why it runs where it does I do not know, seems to generally put it in danger.

Oh well even though my tire isn't suppose to have any chains I ordered a set of low profile that are under the "S" classification. I'll give them a try, not what I wanted, but I suppose in some situations would be better than not having anything. I guess I will see what they are like when they come.

 

[CdnoilRAM]

You could always upgrade to some stainless woven brake lines. Order them for a 4-6" lift then use the excess to reroute to the axle.

 

[articcatbill]

That's a good idea. I wonder if the connection block could be flipped 180 on these. It has a fixed elbow that comes off it and that is what goes right out by the tire. It is really the problem. Course not sure if it is worth it. Guess I will try the chains I got and see how they look and fit and take it from there.

Still there is something missing if I can't chain-up lol.

 

[articcatbill]

Well I got my "S" clearance chains today, no go. They will not work, they run right on that brake line, this really stinks. I can't believe you can't even put the "S" chains on the truck. It is really that brake line with the fixed elbow coming out by the tire that gives next to zero clearance for chains. I really hate not having chains I spent a long Christmas eve years ago on the mountain because I didn't have a set of chains. Have never gone to the mountain with out chains since then, I guess I will now.

Will have to look around over the summer for any kits that might mod where the brake line runs. You would have to flip that fixed elbow 180 to fix it. If you look at it it really is generally in bad spot to begin with. Just hard to believe they didn't even take this into consideration.

 

[fattirewilly]

This sucks. Just bought a 2011 Outdoorsman w/ the 17's. Guess I'll be looking into some sort of fix on this chain fitment issue.

 

[MTtruckr]

Yup, I'm glad someone else is upset about this too. Honestly, this truck is near worthless in Montana if I can't have chains. I had to borrow my dads truck for hunting this year, that was embarrassing. I'll do a little better research next time and make sure I buy a truck that can actually be used as a truck. Just a little rant

 

[articcatbill]

We could do an outdoorsman commercial with it stuck in a foot of heavy wet snow and no chains.....don't get me wrong I love my truck, ride, power, looks, interior, but this is pretty big to me. But I guess I missed it also when buying, honestly it probably would have steered me in another direction.

What is irritating if you look under the back, if the brake line (with fixed elbow) was simply routed in towards the axle and not out (1/2 inch from tire) I think you could put regular chains on the back of it. Now the front with the strut tower is a no go, but at least you could chain up the back and with the Limited Slip make a go of it.

For me it is often as much knowing if I can get in without chains I can get back out even if I have to chain-up. You know what the tow bill is to get pulled out of now where lol. Most of the time they won't even go in for you.

Well at least this is important to a few of us out here. If anyone does a mod I would definitely be interested in the results. Might look around on this also at some time, just haven't had the time lately.

 

[Outfitr]

I'm with ya. Bought my '11 without even thinking about checking to see if chains were possible, just assumed they were. I have a cabin way back in the toolies and have chained my 4x4's as needed for 40 years. I was crawling under the truck looking things over when I noticed the brake line thing in the rear then moved to the front to see the upper suspension arm almost touching the tire. Wow nice design. Anyway I did have the dealer install 295 70 17 nitto mud terrain tires before I got it and they do go through the snow pretty good. Guess I'll just run them forever.

 

[fattirewilly]

Then I read the huge caution at the end of the Chains section. It says do not use them at all (ANY) if you have P265/70R17, LT275/70R17....... which my Outdoorsman has the LT275/70R17 tire on it. I couldn't believe it, I have in the past with my other truck had to have chains on all 4 to get into camp. I was just going to get one set for the back with limited slip thought I could get by.

Does any body have any experience with putting chains on these trucks? Can I at least get by with class "S" chains? In case of ice. I would prefer to have V-bars, you know real chains.

I was a little disappointed by this. Any help/experience appreciated.

I've ordered the owners manual and found a PDF online.

According to the online manual, y ou can put class S chains on the rear of a 1500 ONLY if it has P265/70R17's. Looks like the fronts and other tire options are a no-go. Luckily I have the p265's.

 

[articcatbill]

Glad you can put something on yours fattirewilly. Just so you know though the class "S" clearance chains are those "cable" chains you see people running on cars and stuff. They are not a good v-bar chain you can put on and beat out a mountain road. While they would be helpful on ice for sure, I wonder how effective they would be in deep snow? and how easy they are to break if you catch a rock....

 

[articcatbill]

Just to be clear here is the note from the on-line .pdf file:

NOTE:
• The use of class “S” chains is permitted with P245/ 70R17 tires only.
• The use of class “U” chains is permitted on the front and rear of 4X4, 2500 model trucks with LT245/ 70R17E tires.
• The use of class “U” chains is permitted on the front and rear of 4X4, 3500 model trucks with Dual Rear Wheels and LT235/80R17E tires.
• On 4X2 2500/3500 model trucks, class “U” snow chains are permitted on the rear wheels only of vehicles equipped with LT245/70R17, LT265/70R17, and LT235/80R17 size tires.
• On 4x4 2500/3500 SRW (Single Rear Wheel) model trucks, class “U” snow chains are permitted on the rear wheels only of vehicles equipped with LT265/70R17E.

CAUTION!
Do not use tire chains on 4x4 model trucks equipped with P265/70R17, LT275/70R17, P275/60R20, tires. There may not be adequate clearance for the chains and you are risking structural or body damage to your vehicle. Do not use tire chains on the 4X2 front wheels of 2500/3500 SRW (Single Rear Wheels) equipped with LT245/70R17, LT265/70R17 LT235/ 80R17 tires, or 4X4 front wheels equipped with LT265/70R17E. There may not be adequate clearance for the chains and you are risking structural or body damage to your vehicle.

 

[fattirewilly]

Just to be clear here is the note from the on-line .pdf file:

NOTE:
• The use of class “S” chains is permitted with P245/ 70R17 tires only.
• The use of class “U” chains is permitted on the front and rear of 4X4, 2500 model trucks with LT245/ 70R17E tires.
• The use of class “U” chains is permitted on the front and rear of 4X4, 3500 model trucks with Dual Rear Wheels and LT235/80R17E tires.
• On 4X2 2500/3500 model trucks, class “U” snow chains are permitted on the rear wheels only of vehicles equipped with LT245/70R17, LT265/70R17, and LT235/80R17 size tires.
• On 4x4 2500/3500 SRW (Single Rear Wheel) model trucks, class “U” snow chains are permitted on the rear wheels only of vehicles equipped with LT265/70R17E.

CAUTION!
Do not use tire chains on 4x4 model trucks equipped with P265/70R17, LT275/70R17, P275/60R20, tires. There may not be adequate clearance for the chains and you are risking structural or body damage to your vehicle. Do not use tire chains on the 4X2 front wheels of 2500/3500 SRW (Single Rear Wheels) equipped with LT245/70R17, LT265/70R17 LT235/ 80R17 tires, or 4X4 front wheels equipped with LT265/70R17E. There may not be adequate clearance for the chains and you are risking structural or body damage to your vehicle.

That conflicts with this 2011 owners manual, see P. 423

www.autodealertools.com/.../manuals/2011/Ram%203500.pdf


Also, I have a set of these class S "chains" on the way, the ONORM $128 in the middle

http://www.tirechain.com/P265-70R-17.htm

Were you looking at this 2010 owners manual?

http://www.scribd.com/doc/42384354/284/TIRE-CHAINS

 

[articcatbill]

Wow, that is so interesting. The copy I got came right from the RAM site at:

http://www.ramtrucks.com/download/pdf/manuals/2011_Ram_Truck-1500-2500-3500-OM-2nd.pdf

Now it says on the very last page, second edition. It matches what I got when I ordered my printed version from Chrysler, for my 2011 outdoorsman

That is where I copy and pasted my quote from on page 420.

The one you are looking at on the very last page says fifth edition, and I see what you posted on tire chains in that edition is different.

They both say 2011 1500/2500/3500 on the first page.

So a 3rd party site has a newer edition of the manual than the RAM site?:4-dontknow:

 

[fattirewilly]

Wow, that is so interesting. The copy I got came right from the RAM site at:

http://www.ramtrucks.com/download/pdf/manuals/2011_Ram_Truck-1500-2500-3500-OM-2nd.pdf

Now it says on the very last page, second edition. It matches what I got when I ordered my printed version from Chrysler, for my 2011 outdoorsman

That is where I copy and pasted my quote from on page 420.

The one you are looking at on the very last page says fifth edition, and I see what you posted on tire chains in that edition is different.

They both say 2011 1500/2500/3500 on the first page.

So a 3rd party site has a newer edition of the manual than the RAM site?:4-dontknow:

I wonder if that's worth asking one of the 18 mechanics that are supposedly on line at the top of this site?

I'll take a couple pics when the chains show up. Might not get a chance to use them this year, but I know I will eventually.

 

[articcatbill]

When you get them check them carefully for clearance with your rear brake lines. Now I have larger tires (only 275V265), but mine ran right up against the brake line. It looked like a chain saw next to a rubber brake line and was an accident waiting to happen. I hope you have more clearance and they work for you.

 

[NWRQC]

I hope that there is a solution out there. It's kind of ironic that you buy and Outdoorsman but cant run chains, Kind of defeats half the purpose.

 

[jman]

Well this sucks! I have a 2012 1500 crew cab 4x4 with the big 20's on it. Supposed to be headed over the mountain pass tomorrow and chains are required. Get caught without them and it is a big ticket! Not so sure these stock tires would fair very well in the snow either. I am with everyone else, gonna try and relocate the rear brake line!