Tire chain question

[Muleyfanatic]

I know this topic gets talked to death but I have a question. I purchased 1 set of chains last year for the front of my truck and just recieved a second set for the back. I put them on in the driveway as a test fit and noticed that where the chains hook together that the chains favors towerd the center of the wheel riding very close to brake line and caliper.. I purchased the chains based on my tire size but am at the top end of tire size that these would fit so meaning that I am in longest link. I figure I can add a cross link chain to each one of the chains to force where the chains come together to ride on the side wall better. Has anyone had to do this: is it very difficult to do?
PS the 2x6 idea that someone has posted works great for putting chains on..

 

[MT_elk]

Just curious What was the 2x6 idea? I've searched, but can't find it.

 

[Muleyfanatic]

I copied this from another site. Essentially what you do is pull up onto 2x6 with chain laid on it and tire sits between cross link chain letting you maneuver chain easier. I thought I had seen someone post it on here already maybe not.



Another trick I was shown. Carry a couple short pieces of 2x4 (or 2x6). When you pull over to chain up, slip the blocks in behind your tires to be chained up then roll the rig back until the tires are perched up on those blocks. Since the cross bars of the chains should be able to pull up under the tire now, you can install the chains super tight, pull forward and retrieve your blocks. This should help with the notorious slop once the chains take a set on your tires.

 

[MT_elk]

Thanks! I will definitely try this approach.

 

[Coyotes-R-Us]

Chains are a best LAST chance thing in my mind. There is ALWAYS a chance of doing severer damage to you truck, brakes, and tires. They work great but Use caution. Get some GOOD chain tighteners or several rubber bungee straps and use them on the sides to take up any slack. In the past I have gone as far as to pull the tires off let the air out put the chains on as tight as I could then re inflate tires.:hump:

 

[elkantlers]

If I understand you correctly, You are saying that the chains are hooked as long as they can go and are riding half way up the inside of the tire inbetween the rim and tread. If thats the case you can add a link or two to make the chains longer and make them ride higher on the tire. Depending on how wide the chains are, you may end up pulling the slack to the outside of the tire. Make sure you use lots of tensioners.

The 2x6 trick works pretty good as long as you are not gobbed up in mud or snow. Here is my attempt at a picture. Don't laugh...

Basically you back up on the 2x6 and that gets your tire up and you can positition the chain easier.

 

[mtmuley]

Get cam lock style chains and you won't need blocks of wood. mtmuley

 

[greatwhitebuffalo]

I'd find a shop that repairs chains and get them modified to your exact dimensions.

 

[buckykm1]

I think that each of the last 5 years I have had to put chains on when I was out west on my hunt, I have never had a problem with them, put them on, and use a good set of chain tensioners.
They work just fine on my Silverado.

Kevin

 

[jimss]

What year and model truck to you have? I was hunting with a buddy that has a 2010 Tundra and Toyota recommends AGAINST using chains for at least his 2010 Tundra because they can screw up the brake lines!

 

[Muleyfanatic]

2012 F250
I ordered the extra cross chains and chain tool. I will install them since there appears to be to much space from last cross chain and where they hook. I will test fit them and see how they ride on the tire. I know I have to use caution when tires are fully racked to left or right because of minimal chain clearance with brake lines when tires are turned all they way. I hope not to need them but want to be prepared. I know last year the roads were not pleasant to be on and would have felt safer coming out one of the nights with chains on. I had a F150 before and it seemed to do better on bad roads than the F250 diesel only problem with F150 is that there wasn't room for chains on the front period. I am definitely hoping for good weather!

 

[1976]

The to much space is designed to fit on each side of the tire when you throw the chain over the tire, that way you can get them pretty close to proper tightening. The set I used for years on my 2003 did not have the gap but they were old school,my 2011 F250 I had to buy new chains for the larger tires and found out about the reason for the gap, which after using them makes perfect sense. My motto always is when in dought chain up.

 

[Muleyfanatic]

I talked to the chain rep today and they are going to exchange the chains I purchased from them because they updated there specs and even though the chain bag says my tire size I should be using the next size up. I will end up spending an extra $50 to change them out but that because I went with the reinforced (v-bar) style with the cam locks (based on mtmuleys recommendation) this time. It has definitely been a learning experience and am glad I tried them out before actually needing them. I will let you know how the new ones fit once I receive them. I at least now have a repair kit being I purchased the chain tool, extra links, and cross chains. I am still hoping not to need them.

 

[jlmatthew]

I cant believe that they are making trucks and then saying not to use chains. Some of us want our trucks to be more than RV Trailer haulers.

I had to get these for my 2011 F150.

http://www.etrailer.com/Tire-Chains/Ford/F-150/2011/TC2327.html?vehicleid=2011205705

 

[Muleyfanatic]

New tire chain chains came today and I got to try them. Having the correct size makes all the difference in the world. The cam locks that mtmuley recommended are definitely the way to go. I will still run the rubber tension staps as precaution.

 

[have gun will travel]

How do you use the cam locks? I see them just wandering how hard are they to use?

 

[sbhooper]

How do you use the cam locks? I see them just wandering how hard are they to use?

I just bought a set of chains with the cams. I have not used them in the field, but I did a trial run and they worked real well.

 

[mtmuley]

The cams allow the chain to be loose for fitting to the tire. After the chain is on the tire, turning the cams tightens the chain. I haven't had to use tensioners with mine, but do carry them in case. Sometimes I have to chain up daily to reach where I park to hunt. These chains make it less of a chore, and are quick to install. mtmuley

 

[Gr8bawana]

You should use at LEAST 2 tensioners per tire and keep them as tight as possible, then there should be
no problems. It's not possible to keep the chains TOO tight.
If one comes off while driving you can do a lot of damage very quickly.

 

[RobG]

2012 F250
I ordered the extra cross chains and chain tool. I will install them since there appears to be to much space from last cross chain and where they hook. I will test fit them and see how they ride on the tire. I know I have to use caution when tires are fully racked to left or right because of minimal chain clearance with brake lines when tires are turned all they way. I hope not to need them but want to be prepared. I know last year the roads were not pleasant to be on and would have felt safer coming out one of the nights with chains on. I had a F150 before and it seemed to do better on bad roads than the F250 diesel only problem with F150 is that there wasn't room for chains on the front period. I am definitely hoping for good weather!

Must be a Ford thing - you can't put chain on the front of my Explorer either.

What keeps those cams from coming open? Personally I've never had a need for the 2x6 or cams or anything other than just laying out the chain cleanly and driving over it. I always recheck them after driving 50 yards or so.

rg