Wheel chains provide traction on snowy roads and are required by law in some areas during winter storms. They are the best traction assist device and are applied to drive tires, with variations for different vehicles. They aid in both forward movement and braking.
A wheel chain is a device that helps give a vehicle traction on snowy winter roads. The wheel chain, or snow chain as it is commonly called, is actually a pair of chains joined by shorter chains that completely span a tire. When the wheel chain is placed around a tire and secured, the vehicle can easily move across snow-covered roads, albeit at a much slower speed.
In many areas of the western United States, a wheel chain is required by law to be carried by any vehicle traveling on the highways during storms in the winter months. Areas like the Rocky Mountains are subject to heavy snowfall without warning and vehicles can be stranded on snow-covered roads. The wheel chain easily attaches to the vehicle’s drive tires and digs through snow and ice to provide traction. Due to the uneven travel as the chains dig through the snow, the vehicle is operated at very low speeds to prevent damage to both the vehicle and the road surface.
Variations of the wheel chain, such as cable-type traction aids and strap-like plastic devices, have been tried with a small level of success, but the wheel chain remains the undisputed best of all. traction assist devices in most cases. When applied correctly, the wheel chain is not tight on the drive tire. The chain stays a bit slack, allowing it to throw snow and ice around as the tire digs through the snow. This also helps keep the tire tracks clear of snow to aid in vehicle traction.
Vehicles such as semi trucks that incorporate a dual drive tire system require two wheel chains per drive wheel assembly. This may require up to four to eight wheel chains per truck. Some truck drivers choose to apply wheel chains to a single axle unless the roads are severely overgrown. On vehicles such as four-wheel drive pickup trucks, some drivers attach chains to all four corners of the vehicle.
While the wheel chain aids forward bite to help a vehicle move in inclement weather, it also aids in braking. Chains dig into the road chewing up snow and ice to help slow the vehicle down. It may be necessary to pump the brakes, allowing the tires to spin in case snow accumulates under the chains. A slight rotation will put a clean chain on the road, allowing the tire to gain traction again.
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