# 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:** 10\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2024, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-tire-chains-any-good/1001066/21 "2024-05-03T03:10:46Z")
Looking at the pic in the link, those look like they would be something of a jarring ride. Every time your tire hit one of those big gaps between the chain sets, I’d think you’d feel it. That alone would keep me from buying these, nevermind the technical issues. ---
**Author:** ![Kedikat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed655f/32.png) [@Kedikat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kedikat)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2024, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-tire-chains-any-good/1001066/22 "2024-05-03T05:42:12Z")
One of the spaces that you can put these through your rim will also probably have the tire valve stem there. So one less placement option per rim. Also possible interference with brake disc or drum depending on your rim shape and clearance. But that might be rare? ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2024, 9:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-tire-chains-any-good/1001066/23 "2024-05-03T09:50:48Z")
I had to by smaller chains for the front tires of my truck because the steering tie rod is so close to the tire. ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2024, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-tire-chains-any-good/1001066/24 "2024-05-03T12:41:21Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Interesting. I can imagine there is a large percentage of wheels these will not work with. I do most of my 4X4-ing in beach sand, and was looking at something similar. I was intrigued by a similar version called [TracGrabbers](https://www.amazon.com/TRACGRABBER-Tire-Traction-Device-Snow/dp/B01BDWRECU/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3N1VA4E72YUF6&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.8fvGt9mJX3-lGPZc6KeV9TPWwV6mbrw31xKvuSbV1gRPsYetUaq4-dS0ZwUvfGoUOGup2zW8Rh0l5IdC6_9TWGT_3BWLF_9m675-0ONpGgu2I2ezYRBo8qCXfnzlhPwXLKw06HGNidxSPBJ2zX-B9pDWexpcKDs1lxtlBA_w9CiFoHocHlSjbJyMxY8MzSbLjYKFkfcZvwMK3USn6kY-SeyqoDF0QD90RfZ779gkp6ZbbSOMAqNda76-88urpzT-OBLz0hxXE9cnIP9sqKw8IjpqbLzxhRvrSbUKob3vy9A.sGwPwjGPVI95lpdCJS8ppOgxFmTSEcPrcDS4TILzPA0&dib_tag=se&keywords=tire%2Bchain%2Bfor%2Bsand%2Band%2Bmud&qid=1714739578&s=automotive&sprefix=tire%2Bchain%2Bfor%2Bsand%2Band%2Bmud%2Cautomotive%2C112&sr=1-1&th=1) but a quick test on my truck’s wheel with a ratchet strap proved it could be disastrous. The strap only clears the brake assembly by a fraction of an inch. I’m now trying to figure out what type of traction mat or board would be best. ---
**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 3, 2024, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-tire-chains-any-good/1001066/25 "2024-05-03T16:01:14Z")
> [@pullin](#): > > I’m now trying to figure out what type of traction mat or board would be best. I carry 24’ of [Marston Mat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marston_Mat). I can build a small bridge if I had too. 😁 That reminds me. I need to replace a broken leaf spring on Caroline (The Jeep). ---
**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 3, 2024, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-tire-chains-any-good/1001066/26 "2024-05-03T21:12:41Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > I’d never even consider driving over 25mph with chains on. That is why I said I only use then on an interstate freeway. There are idiots doing 60 mph with chains on. I travel about 30 to 40 mph just to stay up with the flow of traffic and get around 18 wheelers clogging up 3 of the 5 lanes doing 15 mph. Plus it’s easier to drive in 2 wheel drive with chains than 4 wheel drive with no chains. ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2024, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-tire-chains-any-good/1001066/27 "2024-05-04T16:24:07Z")
There are other devices for that purpose that are less expensive and work well. I’ve had a [set of these traction aids](https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/certified-folding-steel-traction-aid-for-snow-ice-grass-mud-2-pk-0301108p.0301108.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwudexBhDKARIsAI-GWYXBenRJxb89OE6bI8KCF_aray5_FMgz_ybkUhQAGVKMOXhlRQbV4o4aAnA-EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds#store=627) for about 20-25 years (don’t remember exactly when I got them) and they’ve served me well. A lot less trouble than the product in the OP, and they theoretically fold up neatly into their storage box, but really I just toss them into the trunk in the winter. We also have mandatory snow tires here which helps in a lot of winter weather. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2024, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-tire-chains-any-good/1001066/28 "2024-05-04T19:02:31Z")
Those look like they could work. We never take our snow tires off. No point in it. ---
**Author:** ![Common\_Tater](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/common_tater/32/13846_2.png) [@Common\_Tater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Common_Tater)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2024, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-tire-chains-any-good/1001066/29 "2024-05-04T19:55:36Z")
> [@racer72](#): > > Plus it’s easier to drive in 2 wheel drive with chains than 4 wheel drive with no chains. If a feller had 4WD, but only 2 chains, what axle should they be installed on for best traction? ---
**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 5, 2024, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-tire-chains-any-good/1001066/30 "2024-05-05T01:31:31Z")
I switch my truck out of automatic 4WD to 2WD only then the chains go on the rear tires. The only other time I switch my truck to 2WD is when I am backing my travel trailer, I was surprised how much easier it is in 2WD. The rest of the time my truck is in automatic 4WD. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-tire-chains-any-good/1001066.md?page=1)