Flamingtaco

Yeah, and there are people hauling 60,000 on ice roads in Canada with no chains. Towing in snow takes experience, which the OP has not claimed. Unless OP becomes a 'sledneck' his best option is to avoid towing in snow altogether.

Not talking about plowed roads or clear roads with snow off to the side or decent roads with the occasional slush in a corner or roads where the plows are keeping up with accumulation. Towing in snow means just that, dragging your TV and TT through snow, continuously. The OP specifically mentioned he may be on the road during chain conditions.

pjazz

Why not call the state police of that state and ask them?

jeffinthebag

Towing 60,000 on a ice road that is perfectly flat because of Mother Nature without chains on the trailer is total different from towing down a hill on ice. Then chains are need unless you want to jackknife.
If the roads need chains on either the personal vehicle or trailer it's not worth it till it gets cleared.

kbroderick

If at all possible, test fit all the chains in your driveway before you need to find out if they actually fit while on the side of the road in snow blowing sideways. If you do need to apply them, having a pair of gloves and a poncho or something similar to dedicate to the task is a plus; even with some practice and a relatively easy set of chains to install, I never managed to do it without getting dirty.

As noted by others, if you're not experienced with towing or with driving in snow (I just noticed that your location is Texas), taking a zero-mile day to dodge weather is probably preferable to pushing through, should you be able to set your schedule up to allow it. I'm guessing the location also means you won't have appropriate tires on your truck for mountain travel, which is probably going to be more of an issue than having or not having chains.

And if you're talking real mountains, March is definitely still winter. When I was living in Montana, I'd never pull snow tires off until at least mid-June (May 31 legal deadline for studs notwithstanding), because I lived at 5500' and spent as much time playing in the mountains as possible. Snow closing the pass outside of town (during the brief June - October scheduled opening) wasn't unusual.

mhendrickson81

Thanks. I do know how to drive in the snow. I live in Texas now, yes. However, I lived almost 10 years in Washington state, 3.5 years on Camp Lejeune in NC, I have driven glaciers, interstates, and back country. I've even towed heavy loads on all of the above. All of it done with pintle hitches though, never any weight from the trailer on the TV. Military trailers are a lot different from Travel trailers. And towing a travel trailer up and down a mountain with a 1/2 ton truck...a whole different ball game. Hence the reason for the post. I wanted to know what other's have done.

I know how much of a pain in the @$$ chains can be. Like I said, I'll get a full set for the truck and a set of cables for the trailer. I'll play with them before we go anywhere. These are just going to be for a last resort. If I get stuck somewhere and I have to get moving type of situation. I'd rather have them and not need them, then need them and not have them.

Thanks everyone.

Blackbuzzard

On the 2015 and up F150's, chains will not fit on the front. Cables probably do fit.

Ricktwuhk

From the 2013 manual:

Note: Do not place chains on the following tires sizes: P265/60R18,
P275/65R18, LT275/65R18, LT315/70R17, P275/55R20, and P275/45R22.
The tires on your vehicle have all-weather treads to provide traction in
rain and snow. However, in some climates, you may need to use snow
tires and chains. If you need to use chains, it is recommended that steel
wheels (of the same size and specifications) be used, as chains may chip
aluminum wheels.

Blackbuzzard

Here's some idea how tight the fit is on a 2016 4x4.

https://www.f150forum.com/f118/tire-...ey-fit-366706/

mhendrickson81

I have 265/75/17 with aftermarket steel wheels.