Z-71 Suburban and tire chains

[alsatian]

My owner's manual for my 2004 Suburban Z-71 says that it should not use chains.  Why would I not be able to use chains on a truck with an off-road package (the Z-71)?

There is not a lot of clearance between the tires installed on this truck and the wheel wells.  It has occured to me that the issue is the slack in the chains might whip out and beat on the wheel wells, causing damage to the truck.  If slow speeds are maintained -- 15 MPH to 25 MPH -- and appropriate chain tensioning apparatus is used, can chains be used with such a Z-71 Suburban?

I have been advised that where I hope to go elk hunting in 2006 -- parking at the end of a 4WD road (not a particularly bad road -- people navigate it in 2WD pickup trucks commonly) at 11,400' in mid-October in SW Colorado -- I may have to cut my own path outbound, through snow, and so should have chains.

[fe352v8]

It is a clearance issue, if your Suburban is still stock it will have 265-70R-17 tires on 17x7.5 rims.  Even though it's a 4x4 with the Z-71 "off road" package, the tires, trim and ground clearance reveal its' true habitat, stock Suburbans are meant for suburbia regardless of decals.

There are chains available that are more cable than rather than links of chain that should fit and provide clearance.  If you are going to be in a remote area, you might want to invest in a receiver hitch mounted winch.

have a good hunt

life is no joke but funny things happen

jon

[slide-flipper]

the tires are mounted to close to the suspension for clearance.  There is room in the wheel wells, but not on the back side of the tire.


However, I do have an '89 Suburban 4x4 with a 4" lift and 33"s if you want something that chains will fit on.


slide-flipper

[BlkHawk73]

"Off road" package means very little actually.  Usually it's gets you skid plates and a snazzy decal.  4x4 also doesn't automatically mean it's a go anywhere  vehicle.  It's more often the person doing the driving that's the faulty part of off-road mishaps.  Chains can give undo tractions and grab too much sometimes.  This can snap the chains and cause all sorts of issues with brake lines, etc.  Also, in some conditions, they can make it worse as they'll actually dig you deeper.  They do have thier place but not in every situation.  Also, they're not something you put on and drive around with.  A little manual labor to move some snow if neccessary and then proceed until the chains are actually needed may workto the better.
  he manufacturers know that very few will utilize the "off road" package so they're moe or less a marketing ploy for more money from the buyer.  Besides, as been said, even with the "off-road" package, in stock form the Suburban is still a strett crawler or  hardpack dirt at most.  Sorry.  :cry:

[longwalker]

Forget the the chains and put a locker in the rear differential. Buy Some good off road tires and you will be just fine. Having the locker is like putting the truck in 4 wheel drive, while you are still in two will drive. Yes it will click when making turns.

longwalker