I have a lot of experience with 4x4s and snow. A year in the AK wilderness at Tatalina AFS near McGrath and eight years in Montana , a great deal of which was in West Yellowstone and Island Park, along with three years in Oregon and those insipid ice storms has left me with a huge volume of experience in these matters. I drove thousands of miles under some of the worst conditions you can imagine. As a result, I've come to the following conclusion: If you are frequently negotiating steep grades (such as mountains and mountain passes) or very deep snow or any kind of sheet ice, chains will be the only sure way to gain traction. Even with the 4x4 locked, an icy mountain road (not just snow packed but ice covered) needs tire chains. From what you describe, you may in fact have some need for them. My advice is to skip the silly diamond chains or the stupid little round so-called "radial" tire chains and get some re-enforce heavy duty chains. Along with that, get some rubber chain tighteners. At a minimum, you will need a set for the front but having a second set for the rear would be a good idea in the event that you ever have to pull a trailer or heavy load through deep snow or up a steep grade. 99% of the time you will never need these as 4x4 will most likely be enough. But, if you ever do get bogged down or into a situation where ice is everywhere, then only chains will do. Shoot, off road in the mud chains are a big help too. The tighteners come in handy by taking up any slack that may come from not being able to get a really snug fit because of conditions. Sometimes a guy just doesn't want to lay down in a patch of melting snow and sometimes it's just so damn cold that the fingers will not work. So, rubber tighteners keep the chains from banging the wheel wells under those conditions. Remember though, chains are for low speed operation. They are not safe at speeds above 30 mph. I think we've all gone well above that fast at one time or another using chains but that doesn't negate the fact that it's not safe. It also should be stated that driving faster than 30 mph with chains is not only unsafe, but it will greatly shorten the life of those chains. Once you've had a set of chains break loose at road speed you will know what I mean. It will literally beat the shit out of your truck and may let loose and strike someone in a rig next to yours. So, if you do need chains, get good ones, use them properly and take them off promptly when the road conditions improve. That's my $.02