Is putting snow chains on a small car the same as on a CMV?

I’ve never had to install chains on my car let alone a commercial vehicle. But from what I understand it can be tedious especially if you’re not used to doing it. But for anyone who has done both, would you say that chaining a small car (in my case, a Camry) is similar enough to at least lessen the learning curve of putting chains on a big truck? Or are they entirely different? I’ve been contemplating going to the Bakken oilfield of ND, and chaining tires up there is definitely a must.

The idea is that if I were to practice installing and removing them from my own car, it would at least make it easier to learn on a big truck.

 

I put chain on truck but never a car. You don’t always need what they call full chains sometimes just drag chain on trailer. Putting full chains on drive tires and trailer are a big pain in my opinion. They have single chains and double chains for two drive tires. They are heavy when you on side of road in the snow and putting them on in snow is not fun.

Drivers have gotten hit by other trucks or cars when putting chains on because not enough room for everyone in the chain up area. You basically ruin you clothes or get all wet putting the chains on.

The drivers that run chain up mountains all year will say it’s not a big deal because normal for them. You can only go 30MPH with chain on. You have stop and check them to keep them tight after putting them on first time.

 

Cars run cables and they are light and easy to tighten. You can get cables for trucks they won’t last as long. Not sure cable are legal everywhere for trucks. Chains are heavy take some work to get them on tight so they don’t fly off or come off and wrap around drive axle.

 

Truck chains wont fit on a car tirez they will be to big but yes its the same concept... Its not rocket science but it takes a couple times to get a good routine down.. if ur a company driver now maybe just buy a set of chains to practice with . Its much easier practicing them in dry parking lot.. me personally i learned at the bottom of look out pass montana, was the first mountain i ever chained up on... And i remember losing the cam lock tool in the snow.. lol one of the old timers i used to run with taught me to always put it inside the wheel when ur not using it and keep an extra spare in the truck. I still have the one he loaned me that day and have used it ever since.

 

I carried a set of cables as well when i ran the northwest and used them on the interstates only. And saved my triples for the real bad stuff, since alot of states like to throw chain laws up even when the road is plowed. Cables are perfect for that. I think for an otr driver its perfectly good to only carry cables... If op is running the oil fields im guessing that means off road a fair amount. hes going to want full triples and probably the chains that have spike links in them

 

One youtuber said it takes him an hour to get the chains on all the tires, but also mentions that he wasn’t used to it yet and that it could be done quicker with practice.

 

Get a good routine down, it takes 10-15 minutes. But starting out yes its going to take 30-45-60 minutes until u understand what ur doing. Depending how many chains u have to throw.. alot of times id just throw a set of triples on one side of the axle and roll..but i am an idiot and u should do whats proper according to what the state requires..

U have the right idea of practicing before. Especially in the oil field id imagine u will be laying down in the mud trying to chain up most times

 

A lot easier to chain up a car. Truck tires are larger, and generally require more effort.
To practice installing chains while simulate reality, find a poorly lit parking lot at night while it’s snowing. The lot should also be packed with snow and ice. Also, get some good quality insulated coveralls to help avoid getting soaked.

 

What do you mean by putting it inside the wheel?

 

Is putting snow chains on a small car the same as on a CMV?

No, they are harder to put on a car.