Tire Chains

[JAK]

I picked up 2 pairs of heavy duty Peerless truck chains at a local Central Tractor last year for $19. 99 / pair. I don't know if they're still available for that price but it might be worth looking.

Did anyone chek out the ONSPOT automatic tire chains? I know a few fleets have changed over from using conventional tire chains or sand units to them.

I've used them on fire trucks. I wasn't impressed. They were very expensive to start with, and were frequently in need of expensive repair / adjustment. Even when new they never worked well at low speed. Maybe someone else out there has had good luck with them but I haven't.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Originally posted by dan_gilson

I got a pair for the duals. The first time around they took me ~45 minutes to install. They do fit good. I got the medium duty with the V links. I figure if I get stuck in those I should not have been there in the first place. Also, I will probably have a long wait to get out.



How do those blocks help out when installing the chains?



Also, rolled up in canvas which has been lightly oiled and in a plastic tool box is the only way to go for storage. I also painted inside rustolum red to help get them installed correctly. If I do not see the red they are upside down or twisted.



I got chains for both axles but have any of you just used chains on only one axle? Any major difference between using them on the front and the rear?

 

[QRTRHRS]

Stupid mouse!



Let me try this again. Dan, lay the chains in the blocks, back on. The chains will be free on the bottom, allowing them to be tightened right the first time. Pretty much no need to readjust.



Good idea on the oiled canvas/toolbox and paint on one side.

 

[dan_gilson]

I can't claim that those were my ideas. I found them on the web. Someone else had obviously been through the college of hard knocks. Having the chains in a canvas roll makes them much quicker to put on. I used a couple of cheap painter canvas and my wife seamed the edges so they would not frey.



The blocks sound interesting. Where can I get a pair? What are they called?



I got the heavy duty spring tensioner for the duals and rubbers for the front. The rubbers seem to work better and provide more tension and are less expensive. The chains for the dual are ~40#s a side.

 

[QRTRHRS]

The ramps are available from a couple of places. I got mine for 20 bucks from AWDirect. They specialize in tow truck items. http://www.awdirect.com/awdirect/finditem. cfm?itemid=8119&orderid=ID2491-154240-15270160