Snow chains Info. What tires do you chain and when?

So how does it work when you have to replace 2 more links next week? Before long. You've replaced all the links. Meanwhile. The first links you've replaced are just about worn.

It kind of falls in line with companies that bandaid their equipment because they're too cheap to repair PROPERLY.

 

On interstates and highways in areas that allow the socks yes chaining is for the poor.

 

If used properly, you can get 2-3 seasons out of them. If not used properly, you can wear them out in 2-3 trips.

Also, be careful in heavy slush conditions. The slush has actually creeped inside the socks from the inner elastic side and “walked” the socks right off the truck as they get full.

 

A properly repaired set of chains is fine. I used to carry chain pliers and extra parts all the time. Where is the cross link breaking at? If it’s out in the middle you’re not getting your chains tight enough and they’re slapping the pavement every time they come around.

 

Once I did chain my steers in Seattle, it snowed down that low and then started raining. slickest junk I have ever seen.

 

I have no idea what these cost. But I didn’t take my pliers along or carry spare links anymore because the shop said I’d never be able to fix them along the road. I ran this set for two winters without any issues.

 

While I’m an advocate of socks, there are circumstances where they simply won’t do the job of a chain. However, in cases where they can do the job, they save time and save your back because of the ease of installation and the fact they weigh next to nothing.

 

They sound like the best thing to have instead of iron chains but for those who run 70 thru Colorado they probably would only last 1 trip because of that tunnel.

 

Funniest thing I’ve read all weekend. Thanks for the entertainment.

 

The entire tire width of the chain hits the asphalt. They don't have to break in the middle. I've had em break on the outside. Just look at the links. When the chain is done. It's done. The links are worn down to paper thin. It's time to replace. OR, rebuild the entire chain.

I've never had em break just because. They've always broke because they're worn out. Makes no sense to replace links when the rest are paper thin and probably won't last another useage.

My first otr company replaced links. And you use them. And there's practically nothing left to take off. The rest of the links broke off. And they were the type to use junkyard parts to fix the trucks.

My last otr company. Had us stop at the dealer if we needed new chains. If you needed and didn't have. You got your butt reamed for having to pay twice the price out in the middle of nowhere.

While I can certainly see the need to save money. Especially when you live on the road for weeks at a time.
I worked for home weekly companies. My chains lasted till they were paper thin worn out. There was no replacing one link. Either totally rebuild or replace.

 

I didn’t live on the road and was also home weekly. Good quality chains should last multiple seasons. Inspecting your chains regularly will save you time on the road also. If the link on the end where it connects to the outer rail is worn halfway through just replace the cross link before it breaks. Sometimes you simply need to spread the end hooks open a little so they move freely again if they got pinched shut a little. Taking care of what you already have goes a long way on how long they last.

And I’m aware that the cross link makes contact with the pavement, but what I’m getting at is the looser your chains are the more they come up off the tire tread and the more they slap the pavement with every revolution.

 

And ask the drivers with Western Dist. how well they hold up, they don't. Western used to give all drivers the option for chains or autosocks, most carried both, but would put the socks on.They work great as long as you stay in snow, but get in slush or wet roads for any period of time and they start to tear, any amount of driving on dry pavement and the will fall apart quickly. Watched a driver climb Eisenhower at 5 mph with a set of those on, by the time they got to the summit, it was torn to ribbons.

 

The durability of chains, depends on the quality of the steel used, the job of the manufacturer and the user. We have chains that are 10 yrs old, and we have chains that are a few months old. I have a coworker that will destroy a set of chains any time he has to run them. This winter, I've chained 9 times so far and my chains are still perfect. Start of the 17/18 season my boss bought me two new sets of Pewag Snow Chains (Made in Pueblo, Colo.), used them a dozen times, not a single problem, except, towards the end of winter, one shifted on the hanger and drug for 80 miles on the highway, ruined one of the cams. Start of this season, I yanked that chain off and the boss bought me a new set of Pewag's. I currently carry 7 chains on my truck, my new Pewags, my old Pewags, and a set of who knows that are 8 or 9 yrs old, I also carry one random spare.

We also have the repair kits in the shop for chains.

As for chaining a steer or trailer tire, we have a few off-road fracing sites we go to, mandatory chains: one steer, all 8 drives (or 4 if that's all you have), and two trailer tires.