What Tire Chain Type/Style is Right for Me?
Pro Tip: When picking tire chains you need to consider your vehicle type, the driving conditions you expect to encounter, and how often you expect to use the chains.
Vehicle Type
Vehicle type plays an important role in deciding which tire chains to purchase. For example: the type of tire chains that would be used on a small car would not be made with the same materials as tire chains for a 3/4 ton pickup. Another example would be of a tow truck application. For this particular application there are many chains that will fit the tow truck, but many of those chains are not designed to hold up under the weight and conditions that a tow truck will encounter. Because of the number and complexity of factors involved, we recommend consulting expert advise when selecting a tire chain.
If you have any questions regarding the correct tire chain for your application, please call us at (503) 678-2359.
Driving Conditions
Pro Tip: When purchasing tire chains, consider the weather conditions, road conditions, and the driving surfaces you expect to encounter. For example: on-road vs off-road, mud vs gravel, snow vs ice, etc.
Every style of tire chain is designed for a specific application or weather/road condition in mind. For example: A cable chain might work well for highway driving, but it won’t work for off-roading. Because of the number and complexity of factors involved, we recommend consulting expert advise when selecting a tire chain.
If you have any questions regarding the correct tire chain for your application, please call us at (503) 678-2359.
Tire Chain Types
Cable: Cable chains are lightweight and are suitable for vehicles with low clearances. They are also easy to install and give a smoother ride than traditional link tire chains.
Link: Link chains have the most available options compared to other types of tire chains. There are link chain options available for nearly every vehicle type. They also offer more durability than other types of chains.
Hub Mount: Hub-Mount chains are one of the newest innovations in the tire chain industry. They are specifically designed for vehicles with extremely low clearances, such as sports cars, where traditional cable and link chains cannot be used. They typically mount to a wheel lug.
Tire Chain Patterns
Ladder Style: This style is the most common pattern of tire chain available and typically offers the best traction and durability.
Diamond Pattern: This style offers the smoothest ride of all the patterns available. Diamond pattern chains are an excellent choice for highway driving applications.
Z-Pattern: This style is primarily found in cable chains and offers a smoother ride than traditional ladder style chains. Z-pattern chains are an excellent choice for highway driving applications.
H-Pattern: This style is commonly used with equipment tires where traditional ladder style chains may fall between the lugs and reduce traction. The “H” pattern is designed to hold the chain up out of the lugs to retain traction and is most useful on R1 type tires.
Forestry: This style typically uses a net or ring style pattern and is designed for tire protection as well as traction. Typical terms used with this pattern of chain: Net, Ring, Paw, Multi-Ring, Studded, etc.
Available Link Tire Chain Materials
Below we have compiled a comprehensive list in which we explain the different link chain materials and styles available. If you have any questions regarding the best tire chain solution for you, please call us at (503) 678 2359 and we will be happy to assist you.
Round Twist - Regular Hardened Steel
This is the most common of all the available styles of link tire chains. It is designed for highway use in mild snow and ice conditions. This type of chain is most commonly found sold in truck stops, auto parts stores, etc. It is an excellent choice for the driver that rarely uses tire chains and is a great style to keep on hand for emergency use or when required by law.
Round Twist – Premium Hardened Steel
This style of chain is the same as the regular round twist with the exception of the material used in manufacturing it; it is made from a premium grade steel vs. the mild carbon used in the regular version. It is designed for highway use in mild snow and ice conditions. It is a great choice for on the road fleets because it can run 1-2 times longer than traditional mild carbon steel.
Round Twist – Alloy Steel
This style of chain is the same as the regular round twist with the exception of the material used in manufacturing it; it is made from a premium grade alloy steel vs. mild carbon. It is designed to be used for highway use in mild snow and ice conditions. It is a great choice for on the road fleets because it can run 3-4 times longer than traditional mild carbon steel.
Mud Service – Regular Hardened Steel
This style of chain is the same as the regular round twist with the exception of the diameter of the material used in manufacturing it. It is made from chain ranging in size from 8-10mm. It is designed to be used for off road conditions in heavy snow or mud. These chains utilize heavy cross hooks and side rails.
V-Bar Round Twist – Regular Steel
This is the most common of all the styles available for link chains in a studded class chain. This style is designed to be used for highway use in heavy snow and ice conditions. They have “V-Bar" ice breakers welded onto the cross chain links.
V-Bar Round Twist – Premium Steel
This style of chain is the same as the regular round twist "V-Bar" with the exception of the material used in manufacturing it; it is made from a premium grade steel vs. mild carbon. This style is designed to be used for highway use in heavy snow and ice conditions. They have “V-Bar" ice breakers welded onto the cross chain links and can run 1-2 times longer than traditional mild carbon steel.
Square – Alloy Steel
This style of chain is made from alloy square link chain. It gives extra bite in harsh conditions and is an excellent choice for the driver who wants one of the best quality chains available. This style is designed to be used for highway use in heavy snow and ice conditions. It is ideal for use in plow, forklift and tow truck applications.
Square – Premium Alloy Steel
This style of chain is the same as the alloy square link with the exception of the material used in manufacturing it. They are made from a premium grade alloy steel vs. basic alloy steel. This style is designed to be used for highway use in heavy snow and ice conditions. This is the toughest, best wearing chain available that we currently offer in a square class chain.
Twisted Square – Alloy Steel
This style of chain is the same as the alloy square link with the exception of the style; it is made from twisted square links vs. traditional square. The twisted square style offers a slightly smoother ride. It gives extra bite in harsh conditions and is an excellent choice for the driver who wants one of the best quality chains available. This style is designed to be used for highway use in heavy snow and ice conditions. Ideal for use in plow, forklift and tow truck applications.
Studded Round Twist – Premium Alloy Steel
This style of chain is made from premium alloy steel. These chains feature round post studs welded onto the cross links. This style is designed to be used for off road use in heavy snow and ice conditions. This is the toughest, best wearing chain available that we currently offer in a studded class chain.
Square U-Grip – Alloy Steel
This style of chain is made from alloy steel and is primarily used in the heavy equipment class chains. These chains feature welded U-Grip links. This style is designed to be used for off road use in severe conditions. This is the toughest, most aggressive square link chain we offer for heavy equipment.