2x4's for chains

This is #1 of a 4 part vid series. The presentation and material is better than some others that are just wrong on several levels

 

How do the guys with the goofy tire fairings chain ... or do they just not chain? I think I'd rather be expected to chain then have to otherwise deal with these ridiculous things and not be expected to chain ...

 

My first year of driving I chained up 14 times, got to where I could put a set of three rail chains on in 10 minutes. No, I never used 4x4 or 2x4's as an aid. Set them on the ground folded in half, lift them up and set them on top of the tire, unfold to cover the inner wheel, hook at the bottom and turn the cams, roll forward a rotation or two and check for tight then install bungees.

 

Regarding 3-railers -

Do you hook the inside rail first or last? If first, do you find it necessary to hook it (center rail) up as tight as possible? If their is looseness in the beginning, where do you cinch up, inside or outside or wherever it seems make sense?

I ask these questions because I've had bad luck running three railers, but both times were on wet pavement and busted cross-links soon into the trip holding at less than 30 mph. There was no "loose chain contact noise", just all the sudden one cross link would bust, then another. I don't have any more 3-railers but in case I get a hold of another set, I need some better direction.

 

I have done it both ways but get tighter chains by hooking the center rail first, then the inner, then outer. I only use the key tightener on the outer rail.

 

I make my own mini ratcheting chain binder. Get a small turnbuckle with hooks and a reversible ratcheting wrench. Get three of them per the number of tires that you want to do. Get at least two sets so that you don't have to keep getting in and out of the truck to keep moving it.

Slip the ratchet onto the turnbuckle and hook the hooks onto the end of the chains. Work it just like a miniature ratcheting chain binder. Get them tight and then roll forward for the slack to come lose. Ratchet again until tight again. Once tight,remove the mini binder and you're ready to go.

 

Just like J Man describes ^^^^. That seemed to work best for me. As for broken cross links, I have broken a few or more, and after one goes it is easier for more to follow. I also did not run chains for long, I only put them on when I could not go any further without them, or did not want to push my luck. Being in the business of delivering building materials and running local, I only put them on to get up and down the mountain, steep driveways and $#iT holes in general. Having lived in Alaska for 40 years and driving 38 of that, all of that winter driving experience was a massive benefit to me before earning a CDL.