Best Truck Tire Chains
The presence of heavy snow or ice on the roads makes it very difficult to drive through during the winter. Under these circumstances and conditions, you will need to be equipped with tire chains to drive safely.
Tire chains will give you the much-needed support to tackle winter roads effectively and safely. They have been in existence since 1904 and are a must-have in many cities during the snowy weather.
This article outlines a list of the best tire chains out there as well as a buying guide to make your life easier when purchasing tire chains.
Benefits of Truck Tire Chains
Enhanced traction: tire chains offer enhanced traction on ice compared to bare tires
Better turning power: Navigating turns on snow is a bit challenging. Tire chains help to mitigate this problem.
Faster driving: tire chains will help you drive faster then you would if you used bare tires on your truck.
The 5 Best Truck Tire Chains
Following are 5 of the top tire chains available in the market:
Security Chain ZT729 – SUV Tire Chain with Automatic Tightener
This chain is available in five different versions, so you are assured of finding the best size for your truck
Pros:
Easy installation
Great traction
Includes automatic tensioner
Cons:
The rubber tightener is not as durable
Security Chain Company ZT751 Super Z LT Light Truck and SUV Tire Traction Chain – Set of 2
This truck tire chain made by the Security Chain company suits various control systems, including AWD, ABS, anti-lock brakes, etc. and are protected from the risk of damaging the thread surface.
Pros:
Self-adjustable
Sturdy and durable
Fits small clearance trucks
Great stability
Cons:
Flimsy plastic containers coming in the sets
MATCC Tire Snow Chains Anti Slip Tire Chains Safety Emergency Snow Chains Adjustable for Cars SUV Truck on Snow, Ice Road and Mud Sand with Upgrade TPU Width 6.5”-10.8” (6 Pack for 2 Tires)
These chains from the MATCC store can fit any car, SUV model, or truck. They are lightweight and gentle to your tires.
Pros:
Compact design
Lightweight
Flexible
Versatile
Cons:
Does not suit heavy-duty applications
Peerless 0231905 Auto-Trac Light Truck/SUV Tire Traction Chain – Set of 2
These light truck chains from Peerless come with self-tightening ratchets that automatically tighten and center the chains. They come with a diamond pattern cross-chain, which enhances traction and allows smooth driving.
Pros:
Superb comfort
Meet class S clearance requirements
Easy to install
Lightweight
True D-chain link product
Cons:
Not suitable for larger tires
Does not permit high driving speeds
Security Chain Company QG2228 Quik Grip Light Truck LSH Tire Traction Chain – Set of 2
These metal heavy-duty tire chains from the Security chain brand are an excellent choice for off-road driving.
They are made from rust-resistant manganese steel; hence, they are long-lasting. They have a sleek, luxurious look, and their massive weight is indicative of their great performance.
Pros:
Cold-resistant
Robust and durable
Handy cam tools
Heavy duty
Cons:
Sizing is not true
Buying the Best Truck Tire Chains
Below are some of the aspects and features to look out for when buying truck tire chains.
Durability
The durability of literally anything is dependent on its manufacturing quality and usage intensity. Everyone has their own needs. Therefore, it is upon you to strike a balance between the chain’s build quality, frequency of usage, and your budget.
Size
Before purchasing truck tire chains for your truck, you need to check your tires’ width, height, and diameter. This is essential because you need to purchase tire chains that fit properly on your tires-not too big or too small. Wrong sizing brings inefficiency.
Ease of use
Different truck tire chains have different additional features that make it easier to use. One of the essential convenience features is its adjustment, which can be manual, assisted, or fully automatic.
With manually adjusted tire chains, you will need to drive on to them before hooking everything in place. They are common in low-cost chains.
As for assisted adjustment type, some pull or cams assist you in fitting and securing the chain in place.
The automatically adjusting chains tighten themselves on your truck tires as you drive. They are common in premium models and are a perfect choice for snow because they relieve you from the hassles of checking, tightening, and aligning your tire chains.
Clearance
This is the distance between the body of the truck and the tire itself. The tire chains should be able to roll along with the tire without hitting the body of your truck. If your truck has a higher clearance, you can consider thick tire chains; the vice versa is true.
Material
Tire chains can be rubber or metallic chains. Rubber chains do not damage roads and the vehicle, and they are not slippery. They, however, reduce clearance. Metal chains offer better control but are road damaging.
Installation
It would be best if you bought tire chains that are easy to install. These typically feature clamp-on installation, which involves automatic chain tensioning.
Weight
Some chains are heavier than others. Heavy chains offer better control but are not great on fuel economy. Besides, they are not convenient to store or carry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Is it necessary to use tire chains if my truck has antilock brakes?
Answer: Yes. The purpose of antilock braking systems is to prevent your truck from skidding. On the other hand, Tire chains enable you to have better control driving on snow or ice.
Question: Can I use snow socks instead of tire chains?
Answer: Snow socks can be used as an alternative, especially on trucks with little tire clearance. However, snow socks may not be effective as tire chains would, especially in on hard-packed snow.
Question: How do I know the size of my truck tires?
Answer: tore size information can be found on the tire sidewall above the rim. The first three digits represent tire width, the next set of double digits represent tire height ratio, and the third set of double digits show the tire diameter.
Question: How thick should my tire chains be?
Answer: This will entirely be reliant on the amount of clearance that your truck has. There has to be sufficient clearance between your tires and the body of your truck.
Question: How many tire chains do I need for my truck?
Answer: The choice is all yours. You can choose to use tire chains only on the traction wheels.
The Final Verdict
Tire chains are of great significance whenever the roads are snowy, and you have to drive through. They attach to drive wheels to help generate more traction and reduce the dangerous effects of snow. They are available in varying sizes and operation techniques, so choosing is a bit difficult.
This article discusses some of the top tire chains out there to help you narrow down your options. All the products listed above are of great quality; it is up to you to make a proper selection based on preference and budget.
Our top pick for the best truck tire chains is the Security Chain Company ZT751 Super Z LT Light Truck and SUV Tire Traction Chain. They have built-in rubber tensioner and are compatible with the vehicle’s electronic systems. If you are looking for a cheaper option, you can consider the MATCC Tire Snow Chains.