Freddy57 , Dec 16, Dec 16, 7. About 30 Mph prolonged use; afterwards, check chains for damage to the chain links Jerry12 , Dec 16, Dec 16, 8. I've run them up to 45 mph on good packed snow to get around slower, un chained trucks - but mph is safer. They're pretty rough on the tires, and tend to let go a rail or two and ribbon strip the mudflaps if you run them too fast, or on thinly covered pavement for too long.
I'd guess you could get away with mph off road, but I'd check 'em every 50 mile or so and tighten them up real snug. Dec 16, 9. Oilfield roads, about 30 was my top speed with chains on Watch for damaged cross links, as they will destroy your fenders. TLeaHeart , Dec 16, Dec 16, That's about it, maybe Off road, in the mud etc, I'm not sure. But a loose or failing chain will do some damage. I only chained twice in 32 yrs of driving, the first time a chain came off a drive tire and got wrapped around the axle, un-known to me until I stopped to take them off.
Although in most conditions a single set of chains will provide enough traction, there are significant benefits with using two sets. It is important to refer to your vehicle handbook, as some manufacturers recommend fitting two pairs. On a four wheel drive vehicle snow chains are generally fitted to the front wheels, but this can vary so please check the manufacturers handbook for advice. If there is restricted space between the wheel and the suspension or bodywork of the vehicle at the front, then the snow chains may either need to be fitted to the rear or a specialist chain used.
There are chains designed specifically for vehicles with reduced clearance, such as our XG Pro or K-Summits. A K-Summit has been designed for vehicles that have no internal clearance, as they are fixed to the wheel bolts and no part of the chain sits on the inside tyre wall. Some vehicles have very little space between the wheel and the suspension of the vehicle or other obstructions, meaning the chains could come into contact with the bodywork, braking systems or suspension with serious consequences.
Keep in mind that a chain sits over the rubber of the tyre, thus any obstruction which comes close on any side of the tyre could be an issue. You should also consider the proximity of the wheel arches when the steering is turned if you are fitting to the front wheels, usually the squeeze point is at 3 or 9 o clock on the back of the wheel when the steering is on lock.
Check by putting the steering on lock and putting your hand into the squeeze point to assess the proximity of arch to tyre, and the same for the opposite lock. Our standard car snow chains have a 9mm protrusion and so there needs to be a gap of about 15mm between the inner edge of the tyre and any obstructions to allow for movement of the chain.
For 16mm chains you need at least 21mm of clearance. When it is not possible to fit a standard snow chain we have various options to help. The Thule K-Summit snow chain requires no clearance around the back of the wheel as it fixes to the wheel nut on the outside of the wheel, making it suitable for the most affected vehicles.
We also have a 7mm chain which has been specially designed for cars with insufficient clearance for a 9mm chain.
A snow sock is another solution; a textile cover that wraps over the wheel to give improved grip on snow covered roads. The legality of snow socks on mountain roads is a grey area - some areas accept them and others don't.
In practice, the conditions dictate who is allowed to pass, so if the weather is bad you can be turned back with a sock when you would be allowed to pass with a chain. In order to fit a regular snow chain you also need enough space between the wheel and the arch to get your hands into the arch on top of the wheel, and ideally be able to reach an inch down the far side of the tyre as you will need to push the first connection down the back, off the tyre tread. If you can't do this, then the best sometimes only solution is the type of chain that attaches to the wheel nuts, like the K-Summits.
Some drivers prefer to use four snow chains two sets for additional traction. This would give more control, especially if you are driving for long stretches in areas requiring snow chains, but is not essential - some vehicles handle better than others in cold conditions so it's difficult to generalise.
On a four wheel drive vehicle they are generally fitted to the front wheels please check manufacturers handbook for advice, many are 'fit to rear' , if there is limited clearance at the front you will either have to buy a more expensive chain for the front or they will need to be fitted to the rear wheels.
On mainland Europe a driver is responsible for equipping his vehicle for all weather conditions. A driver can be fined if he fails to use snow chains when they are needed, thus impeding the normal flow of traffic or causing an accident. Snow chains are a legal requirement on all European mountain roads.
Roadside checks are carried out and drivers may be fined if they do not have a set in their vehicle. Snow chains will not keep you from getting into difficulty if you drive too fast in icy or snowy conditions. Drive gently with chains fitted — keep speed down generally, you should not exceed 40kph , slow down for bends and avoid harsh acceleration and braking. With some designs of chain you have to stop after a short distance to check and adjust the tension — refer to the instructions for your chains.
Pull away slowly — spinning the wheels can result in damage to suspension or steering if a chain catches on a hidden tree stump or rock. Black ice is just regular ice, with this exception. The first thing to understand is that driving on black ice is not akin to driving on snowy roads. Helpful tools like snow chains and studded tires grip into snow-laden roads to create traction.
Although installing and removing snow chains may look intimidating, the basic idea is really simple. They can be difficult to install during bad weather, so putting your snow chains on your tires before you reach snowy roads will make things much easier.
Ideally, you should put tire chains on all four tires for all types of vehicles. If chains are only put on the front tires, the back of the vehicle can react unpredictably during driving and braking, while if chains are only put on the rear tires, the steering ability of the vehicle is jeopardized.
Using chains on bare pavement can cause substantial damage to both your tires and the road itself. It always pays to be careful when driving in freezing conditions, but chains require a whole new level of attention and care.
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