# Are these tire chains any good? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 2, 2024, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-tire-chains-any-good/1001066 "2024-05-02T15:35:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-tire-chains-any-good/1001066/1 "2024-05-02T15:35:21Z")
And assuming you haven’t used these specifically, what about the concept and design? Specifically [these here](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PD4CNCG?th=1&linkCode=sl1&tag=pickadviser08-20&linkId=6149f14913b7cc9c38e4daacbe788d94&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl). They are 6 separate chains with each one fitting through a hole in your wheel. They look easy to put on and durable enough to get you out when stuck. No worry of tire size or tensioners. What I’d be worried about is with the advantages, why is this design not more common. Is there a major con or two I’m not seeing? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-tire-chains-any-good/1001066/2 "2024-05-02T15:48:37Z")
> When using this product, it is forbidden to use emergency braking, and the vehicle speed shall not exceed 40km/h. That’s like 25 mph.And what’s up with “emergency braking”? And it’s May! ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-tire-chains-any-good/1001066/3 "2024-05-02T15:56:42Z")
I wouldn’t want to try putting those on during a snowstorm on the side of a highway. These won’t work on many vehicles, my wife’s Rav4 has factory steel wheels, there is no place for the straps. Read the low star reviews, some are concerning. Some of the instructions would be issues to me, no more than 40 kph (25 mph), no sharp turns, stop every 2.5 miles and check the tightness. The only time I use chains is on an interstate freeway over a mountain pass. I could see these working around town for short trips. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-tire-chains-any-good/1001066/4 "2024-05-02T15:57:43Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > No worry of tire size or tensioners. When I looked at that my first thought was “you have to tighten all 6 of them perfectly”, and if one falls off you will be going bump-bump-bump… It seems like a lot of potential failure points, what with each one having it’s own buckle and strap system, rubber tire protectors and other fittings. It also seems like it would be heavier than a standard set of chains and may affect handling? I dunno. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-tire-chains-any-good/1001066/5 "2024-05-02T16:15:10Z")
Whoever wrote the text needs to up their English skills. From the Amazon seller profile. [**76% positive** in the last 12 months (21 ratings)](https://www.amazon.com/sp?ie=UTF8&seller=A38HU9E039CL2E&asin=B08PD4CNCG&ref_=dp_merchant_link&isAmazonFulfilled=1#) > ### Detailed Seller Information > > Business Name: shen zhen shi han wang dian zi shang wu you xian gong si > > Business Address: > > 龙城街道新联社区爱新小区5号103 > > 深圳市 > > 龙岗区 > > 广东省 > > 518000 > > CN Well, that inspires confidence. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-tire-chains-any-good/1001066/6 "2024-05-02T16:28:10Z")
Are they suggesting you need a set of 6 for every tire? That’s going to get pretty expensive. And a hassle to put multiple chains onto every tire. Also, maybe this is petty, but in their 4th photo, none of the vehicles shown are actually using the chains as far as I can see. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-tire-chains-any-good/1001066/7 "2024-05-02T16:33:50Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Also, maybe this is petty, but in their 4th photo, none of the vehicles shown are actually using the chains as far as I can see. Yeah, and what is “Mud Pavement” and “Climbing Pavement” and “Sand Pavement”? Here in 'Murica we only have mud and pavement - there is no combination of the two! ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-tire-chains-any-good/1001066/8 "2024-05-02T17:52:07Z")
Interesting. I can imagine there is a large percentage of wheels these will not work with. Seems like a major hassle to get them all on, working around the brake disk/caliper. I’ll take a hard pass. By the way, one of my weird hobbies is making custom chain sets. I’ve never used any of them. But they are impressive as hell! ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-tire-chains-any-good/1001066/9 "2024-05-02T18:06:47Z")
I went back and looked a little closer… _IF_ your wheels were right for this, _IF_ you had somewhere dry and sheltered to install them (pulling the wheel would be a No-Brainer, I would think), _IF_ the hardware (ratchets and straps) were high-quality… They might do in a pinch. Like I said, they are very interesting. I’d say the concept is sound. But there are many better options. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-tire-chains-any-good/1001066/10 "2024-05-02T18:13:58Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > They might do in a pinch. That is part of it. I imagine chains for driving down the road 30 miles is different than chain because your tires are spinning and you need to break free. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-tire-chains-any-good/1001066/11 "2024-05-02T18:19:13Z")
> [@racer72](#): > > no more than 40 kph (25 mph) I’d never even consider driving over 25mph with chains on. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-tire-chains-any-good/1001066/12 "2024-05-02T18:41:57Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > That is part of it. I imagine chains for driving down the road 30 miles is different than chain because your tires are spinning and you need to break free. Yeah, just what I was thinking. Heck, put two on the each driving wheel and break free/get unstuck. And take them off. > [@Pleonast](#): > > I’d never even consider driving over 25mph with chains on. Agree. The chains I have on my plow truck are not legal to use on pavement at all. They are a massive pain to put on. I’ve resigned myself to just get a hydraulic bottle jack out, and jack up each wheel and put them on. 4 tires takes about 2 hours. They mostly just stay on year round as I rarely use the truck for anything but plowing. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-tire-chains-any-good/1001066/13 "2024-05-02T18:43:59Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Yeah, just what I was thinking. Heck, put two on the each driving wheel and break free/get unstuck. And take them off. You have 6 so why not 3 per? And that was my thinking when I started this thread but I intentionally left that out do get more general answers. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-tire-chains-any-good/1001066/14 "2024-05-02T19:00:54Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > You have 6 so why not 3 per? Depends on how much of a pain in the ass they are to put on. My neighbor was stuck once in some sort of Honda or Toyota sedan. I have a winch on the back of my plow truck. She was not stuck real bad, but about a foot of snow surrounded the car. Was also all packed in underneath. I had to pull from the back. There was nothing to hook onto. Nothing. So, I threaded a pull strap through a spoke in a rear tire. and hooked it to my winch. I told neighbor to get in the car, start the engine, and press hard on the brake pedal and do not take your foot off that pedal even when my winch starts doing it’s work and you start to move. You must keep your foot on the brake. Otherwise, that tire would spin and the strap and winch cable would do a number on the left rear 1/4 panel. It’s very counter intuitive instructions for anyone. But she kept her foot on the brake, the car got winched out and everything was fine. You often have to improvise. ---
**Author:** ![Twoflower](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/twoflower/32/22_2.png) [@Twoflower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Twoflower)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-tire-chains-any-good/1001066/15 "2024-05-02T19:02:53Z")
I once made the mistake of trying to use chains when I got stuck in loose sand. What I learned is that they dig really well. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-tire-chains-any-good/1001066/16 "2024-05-02T19:04:29Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > So, I threaded a pull strap through a spoke in a rear tire. and hooked it to my winch. Those are the best videos when the truck with the winch lurches when the driver stomps the gas. The other car goes 0 ft but their axle goes 40 ft. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-tire-chains-any-good/1001066/17 "2024-05-02T19:20:51Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > The other car goes 0 ft but their axle goes 40 ft. There’s your problem. /mythbusters ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-tire-chains-any-good/1001066/18 "2024-05-02T19:26:40Z")
> [@Twoflower](#): > > I once made the mistake of trying to use chains when I got stuck in loose sand. What I learned is that they dig really well. Can happen on deep ice too. Plow was hung up in a solidly packed pile of snow. Down is the only direction the truck would go. > [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Those are the best videos when the truck with the winch lurches when the driver stomps the gas. The other car goes 0 ft but their axle goes 40 ft. Yeah, I was a bit concerned about that. I suggested to neighbor to get an alignment check. Got another one. Another neighbor trying to get a 15 foot U-Haul box truck up his drive. He got stuck at his first hard right turn. And being on ice, the truck would not steer. Sliding was fine though. Hooked on to the back of the truck to pull it sideways around the corner. Again with instructions to NOT TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. But the drivers instinct took over, and as soon as I slowly got him dragged sideways, he took his foot off the brake. The U-Haul was now a pendulum hooked to my truck. It did what pendulums do and rolled (swung) backwards into a worse pickle. Now he was in a snowbank as well. :sigh: Experience is what you get when you don’t get what you want. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-tire-chains-any-good/1001066/19 "2024-05-02T19:45:40Z")
> [@Twoflower](#): > > I once made the mistake of trying to use chains when I got stuck in loose sand. What I learned is that they dig really well. Can happen on deep ice too. Plow was hung up in a solidly packed pile of snow. Down is the only direction the truck would go. > [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Those are the best videos when the truck with the winch lurches when the driver stomps the gas. The other car goes 0 ft but their axle goes 40 ft. Yeah, I was a bit concerned about that. I suggested to neighbor to get an alignment check. Got another one. Another neighbor trying to get a 15 foot U-Haul box truck up his drive. He got stuck at his first hard right turn. And being on ice, the truck would not steer. Sliding was fine though. Hooked on to the back of the truck to pull it sideways around the corner. Again with instructions to NOT TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. But the drivers instinct took over, and as soon as I slowly got him dragged sideways, he took his foot off the brake. The U-Haul was now a pendulum hooked to my truck. It did what pendulums do and rolled (swung) backwards into a worse pickle. Now he was in a snowbank as well. :sigh: Experience is what you get when you don’t get what you want. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-tire-chains-any-good/1001066/20 "2024-05-02T22:10:38Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > You have 6 so why not 3 per? That’s what I thought as well. 3 per would be sufficient. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-tire-chains-any-good/1001066.md?page=2)