So waddya know about tire chains?

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Zack1978

Zack1978

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Hey everyone,
As winter gets closer (but hell it was almost 70 today in NJ) I want to try some tire chains on my 1979 Toyota 4x4 plow truck. The tires are 235/75/15's and I would like to get some feedback on chains. The truck is rarely if ever driven other than plowing duty. Sometimes I take it to Hope Depot or to work but again not that far. So what will chains do for me? Where should I get them? What is the BEST type/brand to buy? How hard are they to put on? I should put them on all 4 wheels correct?

Thanks,
Zack
 
a cheap chain will be made in china, which is fine if you dont use them often, but for those that prefer made in the usa, you'll be spending about twice as much.

security is a brand that many carry (chinese made usually), laclede is usa, there's also rudd and a fourth "name brand", that i can't think of right now.
 
If you are in 4W, you should put chains on all four tires. You'll go like a tractor. Putting them on isn't that hard, if you practice doing it before you need to. Gloves, and a matt to lay on are very helpful. Also I use a 6" piece of 2X4 to help install the chains. Lay the chains out on the snow, place the block of wood between on set of cross chains, drive up onto the block. The chain is now free to move, and it's easier to get it fitted right, and fitted tight. Tighter is better.

There are lots of types of chains (like tires) and the best is a function of your need (plus quality as pointed out above). Tirechains.com will give you good advice if you call and discuss your needs. They ship fast also.
 
lovetoski said:
If you are in 4W, you should put chains on all four tires. You'll go like a tractor. Putting them on isn't that hard, if you practice doing it before you need to. Gloves, and a matt to lay on are very helpful. Also I use a 6" piece of 2X4 to help install the chains. Lay the chains out on the snow, place the block of wood between on set of cross chains, drive up onto the block. The chain is now free to move, and it's easier to get it fitted right, and fitted tight. Tighter is better.

There are lots of types of chains (like tires) and the best is a function of your need (plus quality as pointed out above). Tirechains.com will give you good advice if you call and discuss your needs. They ship fast also.
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OK, well I plan the leave them on at least all winter, so I am not going to be taking them on and off, etc. When you buy the chains, do they give you good instructions as to how to get them on? I have never used chains ever before.

Also do they help or hurt a sliding truck? My driveway is a fairly steep uphill climb. Sometimes if there is ice I have slid a bit on the way back down. I guess what I am asking is, will chains help with ice?

Thnaks,
Zack
 
chains definitely help on ice. rising sun folks run them a lot on our snow runs and even with just fronts chained up, you'd be amazed at the difference.

when you get chains, request cam lock style. they don't require tensioners as the cams tension the chains, but keep a few tensioners around in case the cams get loose after a while. they're very easy to put on. spread them out on the ground, cams facing out, drive onto them just enough to leave a small section sticking out the back and roll them over the tire, hook and tighten as many cams as you can get to turn easily. drive about a mile or so to get them to settle over the tire treads and adjust the rest of the cams.
 
Zack1978 said:
will chains help with ice?

Thnaks,
Zack
Click to expand...

Chains help a lot with ice - most ones that is. Don't get cable chains, or plastic "chains." Get a real steel chain, even better ones with the v-bar for extra traction on ice.
 
The fastest way to install chains is to drape them over the tires, not to lay them on the ground and drive over them. I was a chain installer here at Tahoe for 20 years for extra $ to fund toys. :D

Drape the chains over the tires so that the simple hook is inboard and the latch device is outboard. Do one axle at a time and have one end of the chain just touch the ground. Do this to both tires of one axle and then you only move the rig one time to latch both sets.

Move the rig over the chains enough that you have some play to work with on the end of the chain that the tire is setting on. Hook the inside first, then the outside latch. Try to get the inner and outer lengths even, that is, the "tails" of the chain close to equal lengths and as tight as possible. If you get them equal and tight you won't need tensioners. Use bolt cutters to cut off the excess chain, (after you have connected them) but leave one spare (extra) link on the inside and 2 on the outside (this helps you to put the chains on if you are already stuck, on newer passenger cars there might not be enough clearance for this, but on older trucks there is plenty of room)

On the front axle you can drive the rig enough that you will be latching at either 9:00 or 3:00 positions and then you can turn the tires and you can reach the inner hook easier.

For a plow truck I would get the re-inforced v-bar type chains, they last a lot longer.

Get a set of chain pliers at Napa, and if you happen to break a cross-link you can replace the link. If you do break a cross-link, remove it asap as it will swing around and mess up your fender. If the truck just plows the driveway you won't break a link for many years, but if you are driving around town doing plow jobs it could happen.
 
Get good chains the China chains last about 1 season of regular use so the 10 to 15 dollars saved is not worth it, oh and when they break you'll know.
 
You NEED Trygg studded truck chains. I have two sets (different trucks) and they are the shiznit. I've never used any other chains that even compare. As an added bonus, they're about 1/2 the weight of steel chains. FWIW, I bought mine at Les Schwabs here in Sandpoint. You'll thank me later.

http://www.trygg.no/eng/maindesign.asp?aid=5094&gid=2893
trygg_chains.webp
 
turbocruiser said:
Another vote for RUD chains, they are absolutely awesome. I suggest getting them from Bill Burke who's a wheeler extradinaire.

http://www.rudchain.com/snow/grip4.htm


www.bb4wa.com

Hope that helps. :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
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I didn't see a chain for 315 75 16 tires on RUD's website. Turbo, what tire size are yours and what's the model # for the chain? Also, what was the shipping cost to your location?

Edit: never mind, I see that you have 33" tires. I might be hosed!
 
alia176 said:
I didn't see a chain for 315 75 16 tires on RUD's website. Turbo, what tire size are yours and what's the model # for the chain? Also, what was the shipping cost to your location?

Edit: never mind, I see that you have 33" tires. I might be hosed!
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Yes, you are; unfortunately RUD only goes to 33". Just for what its worth, a conventional tire chain that can handle a 35" tire is gonna be heavy! :cheers:
 
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