School me on tire chains

skegpro

Active VIP Member
Joined
May 11, 2009
Messages
9,930
Reaction score
21,329
Location
In them hills.
In the market for a set of tire chains for a f350.

What chains are the best?

Where do you buy them?
(Edmonton area)

Easiest way to put them on?

Anything else to consider?

Thanks
 

52weekbreak

Active VIP Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2013
Messages
1,929
Reaction score
4,058
Location
SPAB
Picked mine up at Gregg Distributors for my 3500. They are pre-sized to the stock tires. If you are running something other than that, you may have to go to a Specialty shop. They are easy to put on but you should practice at home first. Bring at least 2 tarp straps for each tire to keep them in place. Last suggestion is to put them on early before you are in a jam.
 

skegpro

Active VIP Member
Joined
May 11, 2009
Messages
9,930
Reaction score
21,329
Location
In them hills.
Picked mine up at Gregg Distributors for my 3500. They are pre-sized to the stock tires. If you are running something other than that, you may have to go to a Specialty shop. They are easy to put on but you should practice at home first. Bring at least 2 tarp straps for each tire to keep them in place. Last suggestion is to put them on early before you are in a jam.
Do they fit pretty sung or do you worry about taking a fender out?

How fast can you drive with them?

Are they just straight chains or do they have the little stars to enhance traction?
 

52weekbreak

Active VIP Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2013
Messages
1,929
Reaction score
4,058
Location
SPAB
They do fit snug to my tires. I was taught to put them over the top of the tire and attach the back side first then the outside (front) of the tire. Once they are all on, I roll ahead about 5 feet and check how tight they are. Usually good so I then use the tarp straps on the front of the tire To help address any slack that can happen at speed. I have gone 80 KM for quite a while with them on but usually less than that due to road conditions. Takes about 15 minutes for me to do all four tires.

Certainly never had any clearance issues in the Ram with stock tires and your Ford should be good too.
 

Trukker

Active VIP Member
Joined
Dec 16, 2008
Messages
890
Reaction score
1,691
Location
High River
They have claws on the outside . Don't put them on upside down or you'll fawk a set of tires LOL . I've had a couple real smart drivers over the years . They have a star bungy that will keep them snug
 

zal

Active VIP Member
Joined
Jan 11, 2009
Messages
2,213
Reaction score
6,273
Location
Northern AB & BC
I like to run at least four tarp straps on mine. They can be fun to put on. Trick is to put them on before you need them. Also, you mention about taking a fender out. Best to drive a couple miles and check and re tighten if necessary. Speed...you can't go too fast with them. If there is any slack, the speed will "inflate" the chains because of centrifugal force which can take out brake lines, panels (if really loose) or anything else it could grab.
Depending on the chains, the ride can be rough because of the lack of cross chains. I added extra to mine.

Read your manual. Mine recommends not putting any on the front for a Dodge Ram 2500. Some will disagree. Some will agree. Bottom line, do what you feel you need to do.

And always try them on to make sure they fit before you need them.
 

SHREK1

Active VIP Member
Joined
Nov 12, 2008
Messages
2,301
Reaction score
3,318
Location
Sturgeon County
Go to a shop like continental chain a rigging, get a set of v bars with cams, once you put your chains on you twist the cams and they tighten the chains, bungee cord them tight, I use zip ties for the extra chain and your good to go, I carry a jack for when I put them on works great
 

ABMax24

Active VIP Member
Joined
Sep 10, 2013
Messages
4,567
Reaction score
13,158
Location
Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada
V-bar type are probably the best, but I just run an S-Class chain on my F350 the S-class are low clearance and have less of a chance of catching a fender but they don't have studs that dig in like the V-bar type do. But I have found chaining up the rear axle with them to be more than sufficient to climb the icy hills around here.

The key is to get them tight, most times I run without bungie cords as I have found they still allow the chain to expand at speed.
 

Cdnfireman

Active VIP Member
Joined
Sep 11, 2012
Messages
2,726
Reaction score
9,527
Location
Alberta
Check your owners manual. Most manufacturers won’t allow chains on 20” tires due to fender clearance issues.
Get v-bar chains sized to your tires with cams on the outside chain, and replace the inside boomer with a quick link or quick chain connector. Use at least 2 bungees to take the slack out of the side rails once you get the ends connected together.
Drape the chains over the tire with the ends at the 10 o’clock position, then drive over them until the same ends are about 1foot behind the tire on the ground. Reach inside and hook the inside ends together using the quick link, then hook the outside ends together using the boomer on the outside rail. Then tighten the cams and install the bungees.
Check for tightness after a mile or so and then every few minutes afterwards.
 

skegpro

Active VIP Member
Joined
May 11, 2009
Messages
9,930
Reaction score
21,329
Location
In them hills.
.........
7a6177ae5c164c26e952123bf177c0a4.jpg
 

SHREK1

Active VIP Member
Joined
Nov 12, 2008
Messages
2,301
Reaction score
3,318
Location
Sturgeon County
I have 20” on my king ranch with factory fender flares and mud flaps, no issues just make sure they are tight, if you need a set I can get for you, I have account there, might even save you a couple bucks
 

skegpro

Active VIP Member
Joined
May 11, 2009
Messages
9,930
Reaction score
21,329
Location
In them hills.
I have 20” on my king ranch with factory fender flares and mud flaps, no issues just make sure they are tight, if you need a set I can get for you, I have account there, might even save you a couple bucks
Awesome that is pretty much the identical setup I have.

Do the chains hammer the **** outta your rims?

I'll check with Kal tire first as I have a discount/account there.

But thanks for the offer.

These look similar to what you bought at Continental?

http://www.kaltire.com/en/tires-accessories-chains/

c6fad50a77ffa9d4e22c298ea17b7613.jpg
2f7b1e0f958409bd145f2b5369e6b4eb.jpg
 
Last edited:

gunner3006

Active VIP Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2014
Messages
11,835
Reaction score
10,091
Location
grande prairie
I got trygs for my gmc 3500. Really impressed with them. Back east the snow is packy so I didn’t find them as helpful. Here in Alberta the snow is fluffy and light I find and makes it real big difference. $200 from northern metallic I believe.

Cheers
 
Top Bottom