Designing reliable, adaptive, and convenient tire chains for cars, SUVs, and light trucks alike, Security Chain Company is one of the pioneers in the traction chain industry. The Peerless Auto-Trac Tire Chain is constructed out of steel that maximizes your handling and braking performance on slippery ice to make your winter road trips safe and secure.
With a quick, hassle-free installation, you won’t need to jack up or move your vehicle to put on the chains. This tire chain even features a smart patented ratchet tensioning system that automatically constricts the chain as you drive. The chains conform to the “S” class clearance standards, making them a perfect fit for SUVs, pickup trucks, and other passenger vehicles. This tire chain takes the top spot for being the most reliable and full-featured product on our list.
The Super Z6 Cable Tire Chain from Security Chain Company takes the second spot on our list. While it lacks the standard alloy-steel construction, the SZ143 features a durable out-of-the-box rubber design. Despite the thin tire cables, the rubber provides higher mobility and durability compared to its conventional counterparts.
On top of a quick and easy installation process, the unique rubber construction of these snow tire chains requires only half the space needed by other S-class tire chains. With a 6.3 mm operating space in the sidewall area of the tire, the cable poses low damage potential to the vehicle body even with rigorous usage. The cable projects superior performance for ABS and AWD vehicles including cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks.
Although they allow better braking and handling performance, tire chains can be loud and may damage the inside sidewall space of the tire. Tire socks offer a quieter alternative to tire chains and cables while solving some of the other flaws associated with conventional chains. The AutoSock 697 is built from a high-grade woven fabric that allows you to navigate slippery roads without losing traction.
The washable and reusable design is compatible with most vehicles including SUVs and small trucks. They can even function with some wheels where tire chains often struggle to keep the vehicle unharmed. The USDOT approval makes it credible for use across all fifty states and they are also authorized by leading car manufacturers including TUV SUD.
The Glacier 1046 is one of the least expensive cable chains on our list. If you are making your first-ever tire chain purchase, they can be a good place to start. The case-hardened carbon rollers feature an upgraded version of cables and chains which come in handy for maneuvering your vehicle on loose, slippery snow.
The Glacier 1046 fulfills “S” class requirements for safety and durability. Be it a Toyota or a Ford pickup, the ladder-like steel chain fits all front and rear-wheel drive vehicles without causing damage. Make sure you don’t push the acceleration pedal past 30 mph when using these chains so as not to compromise your own safety.
These tire chains by Fun Driving are designed to tackle heavy-duty tasks. Coated with zinc, the steel structure can tackle extreme terrains and give drivers maximum control over their vehicles. The chains are compatible with tires with a width ranging between 215 mm to 315 mm. If your car tires fit that range, Fun Driving tire chains can be your tour buddy.
Apart from enabling hassle-free assembly and disassembly, these chains use a ratchet roll mechanism that facilitates swift tensioning and loosening. Even though they are designed to keep your vehicle in control in snowy conditions, the chains won’t save you from risky driving. Make sure that you keep your speed in check and avoid taking sharp and quick turns.
Considering how many states are enacting laws for tire chains, their use has become more of a necessity than a choice. It doesn’t matter if you have replaced your standard car tires with winter tires, you may have to buy a set of tire chains to cover you in case things get out of hand.
While tire chains may not differ in terms of type or model, their quality or pattern is something you should pay attention to. If you’re a beginner who’s planning your first trip up north, make sure you have the gear ready to cruise on the icy roads.
Buying a pair of tire chains for the first time can be challenging. If you are having a hard time handling all the fuss, here are some features you should pay attention to when buying a tire chain for your vehicle.
Although the first tire chains invented were made out of rope, innovation has come a long way since then. Even though the majority of tire chains are made out of iron or steel alloy, they are not the only type you will find.
The recent addition of rubber tire chains into the industry has offered new options for car owners. These tire chains are an adaptive, convenient, and often cheaper substitute for steel chains. However, unlike their metallic counterparts, rubber tire chains may not be as effective on snow as they are on regular off-road tracks.
Metal chains, on the other hand, while sometimes inconvenient, uncomfortable, and potentially damaging, are still your best option for finding traction on slippery ice terrain. Regular steel is prone to corrosion, which makes it perishable after a few days of driving. When choosing steel for a tire chain, make sure it is electro-galvanized or coated for protection against rust.
If you live in or are heading to a place where tire chains are mandatory by law, tire chain classification matters a lot. The classification of the chain determines the durability and performance value of a tire chain.
Carried out by the SAE, or Society of Automotive Engineers, every tire chain is allotted a certain class regarded as the metric for choosing a tire chain. Class S tire chains are non-reinforced and may damage the wheels of vehicles that are not designed for them. Class U tire chains exhibit no clearance but are installed with lugs under normal circumstances. For domestic or individual use, Class S chains are normally the best option.
A tire chain should strictly adhere to your tires for enhanced grip on loose snowy surfaces. However, as the tires spin and roll on the surface, the tension between the chain and the tire usually decreases, meaning a loss of traction. This may damage the wheel well and put your life at risk.
Although drivers have had to manually tighten the tire chains on older tire chains, innovations in the industry have automated the process. Most modern tire chains come with a self-tensioning mechanism.
The technology uses rachets at regular intervals on the circumference of the chain, tightening the chain steadily as the car moves forward. Unlike the chains, ratchets aren’t made out of steel and may break with usage. Even though they are replaceable, it is difficult to find a quality tensioning setup that is compatible with the chain unit.
You aren’t just going to keep riding on snowy tracks, which means you’d need to take the chains off when you get to the clear patch of the road. While they enhance your control over the vehicle and grip on the road, tire chains can sometimes be a hassle to attach and detach. No one likes to wait on the side of the road while disengaging the chains.
Fortunately, modern tire chains are equipped with an automatic quick-release functionality that removes the chains as soon as you press a button or pull a lever. What makes this technology reliable is that the automatic release does not engage unless you interact with it. The mechanism is intricately designed to make it less likely to engage itself due to an accident.
Apart from the construction material, one thing that distinguishes tire chains from each other is their design pattern. Based on their pattern design, tire chains can be categorized into three types:
These are conventional tire chains with chain links laid out or connected in a diamond-shaped pattern. The chain acts as a loose mesh covering your tire. You can change the density of the diamond patches depending on the amount of snow you are expecting. The tire chain should have smaller gaps when faced with deep snowy tracks.
Inspired by the original tire chains, cable chains feature linked metal cables that run around the circumference of the tire. A streamlined and lightweight option, these chains can go with most cars. However, their lower profile makes it only suitable for low to medium amounts of snow.
A recent innovation has become more sophisticated with the advent of rubber tire chains. Solving the issues people often faced with metal chains – a heavyweight, bulky design and difficult installation process – some tire grippers are not made out of thick fabric. Due to tiny protruding threads, they offer optimum road grip but can wear out much more easily than metal options.
Paired with careful driving, tire chains can keep you in control of your ride on icy smooth tracks. Before planning a winter trip with your friends and family, make sure to clad your tires with road chains for a safe, fun, and adventurous trip. We have curated a list of the five best tire chains for snow you should consider buying, along with a detailed guide to make the process easier. While they offer you better traction on snow, it’s up to you how you navigate your car in inclement weather. Drive safe!
Chains do not damage your tires as long as you are driving on deep snow or icy tracks. However, if you keep driving with chained tires on paved roads, they can ruin your tires and the road surface over time.
Even though chains provide a better grip on snow, be a cautious driver. The ideal speed when driving on snow with chains on is under 30 mph to prevent unnecessary accidents.
Although snow socks are a substitute for many tire chains, they remain ineffective in deep snow. While the tiny threads add grip on loose tracks, they remain inefficient in providing traction on piles of snow drift.
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