Fall is officially in full swing, and for some drivers, that can mean your routes are already seeing some snow, especially on mountainous routes. Even if you have a route that takes you to the warmer parts of the country, it is always best to be prepared and know how to chain up your truck. So let’s review how to properly chain up your tires.
Step 1. Lay your chains out flat on the ground. Make sure the adjustment cams are placed facing outward on the outside of the tire, or they will be difficult to access. Some drivers prefer to roll their trucks onto the chains and then hook them up, but we will be draping the chains on the tires and then hooking them.
Step 2. Drape the chains over the tire making sure to evenly distribute the chains across the tire. When doing this, make sure that the clips that secure the chains are facings out, you do not want them rubbing up on the side wall of your tire.
Step 3. Reach in and hook the inside clips of the tire chain. The fifth wheel hook can help for this part by using it to hook the inside clip.
Step 4. On the front face of the tire, tighten the cams with an adjusting wrench until the chains sit snug to the tire.
Once you get your chains all set up, a good piece of advice is to drive down the road a little bit, then get out and make sure everything is still attached and sitting correctly. Incorrect or damaged chains can cause serious damage to your truck, so it’s better to find out sooner rather than later if there is an issue.
As part of your pre-trip prep, check if any of the states you are traveling to or through has chain laws. Each state is different as some require a truck carries chains, some require chains used under certain conditions, and some have no chain laws at all, so it is best to plan ahead.