The Best Tire Chains for Semi Trucks (Anti Slip Chains & Snow Socks for Tyres)

Why do I need snow chains?

As additional equipment for your vehicle, snow chains help you keep control of your car in heavy snowfall or on icy roads.
Snow chains can also help you make more contact with the road surface and thus spin.
This loss of traction can of course also occur while driving, which can pose a high safety risk for you and other road users. To counteract this risk at an early stage, an investment in snow chains can make sense.

For whom are snow chains suitable?

Particularly for vacations in ski resorts or driving in regions where there tends to be a lot of snow, it is advisable to make sure that your car’s winter equipment is intact and complete. This includes winter tires with the appropriate identification and suitable snow chains.
Depending on your needs and preferences, different types of chains can fit you and your car.
It is important to find out beforehand how to put on snow chains correctly and practice drying them. Furthermore, the snow chains should always be placed on a safe and level place. However, if the case should arise that you have to stop at a rather unfavorable place, the puncture triangle should be set up to draw the attention of following drivers to the obstacle. The chain tension should be checked after a few meters of driving to prevent damage to the vehicle.

If you live in a rural area where it is more likely to snow during the winter months and you do not want to kneel in the snow all the time to fit conventional snow chains, there are special solutions such as attachable systems.
There is also the right model for you if you live in the city and only rarely drive into snowy areas.
As a rule of thumb, anyone who owns a vehicle and may find themselves in a situation where snow chains are an advantage or even required by law should add the appropriate type of chain to the winter equipment of the car.

How do hybrid snow chains work and what are their advantages and disadvantages?

Hybrid snow chains are a composite of metal and textile. This type of snow chains competes with special snow chains for aluminum rims.
The big advantage is that the soft material rests on the rim and does not scratch it. The steel mesh is mounted on the tread of the tire and works like other snow chains. In addition, the tensioning rubber in the textile keeps the chains always in the right place and tightens automatically if necessary.

In most countries, however, textile snow chains are not approved as full winter equipment. If a section of a road is subject to the mandatory winter equipment requirement, i.e. snow chains, hybrid snow chains are not legally sufficient.
However, since official approval is in progress in some countries, it is important to obtain individual information about the current regulations.

Car socks

Starting aids as a possible alternative to snow chains are also called car socks. These are made of textile or composite materials and are simply pulled over the driven wheels.
Due to their nature, they offer a higher grip level and can thus help in stuck situations. However, wear and tear is very high when driving for long periods or on asphalt. Furthermore, according to the law, car socks do not meet the criteria of snow chains and are therefore only useful as a starting aid.

Adhesive sprays

Adhesive sprays change the grip of the tires and can serve as an effective starting aid by simply spraying them onto the tread. These sprays are used like spray paint from a can. Shake vigorously and distribute over a large area of the tread of the drive wheels. Due to the improved friction, adhesive sprays often help to get stuck cars back on track.
Grip from the can is mainly intended for loose snow, where winter tires without snow chains reach their limits and do not allow propulsion. A considerable disadvantage of adhesive sprays is that it comes off after a few kilometers and the grip limit of the tires drops off again.

How much do snow chains cost?

Due to the different construction methods and differences in quality, snow chains are in a price range that starts at a few dollars and can exceed several hundred dollars.
A pair of certified and approved snow chains start at around $30 on average and quickly exceed the $200 mark. For your own safety, however, you should make sure you get value for money and don’t put cost before quality.
In the worst case, cheap chains can break while driving, damage the vehicle and the car can no longer be checked. Smooth running is also often a problem with very cheap snow chains, because usually a very wide-meshed steel net is used, where the tire has hardly any contact surface.
Usually, pairs of chains are sold for two tires only. For all-wheel drive systems or to increase safety, four snow chains can also be purchased. The price is then duplicated accordingly, but safety on snowy roads is significantly increased by raising the grip level.

What are the advantages of snow chains over car socks or adhesive sprays?

Snow chains are also suitable for longer journeys and not just starting aids. Winter tires have better traction than summer tires due to their texture and softer rubber compound, especially on wet roads and cold outside temperatures. However, if winter tires reach their grip limit in heavy snowfall, snow chains can help.
Alternatives such as adhesive sprays or car socks are intended as starting aids and lose their usefulness on longer journeys.
Snow chains, on the other hand, can easily stay on the tire for many kilometers in appropriate conditions and increase the traction level permanently and constantly.

Where can you buy snow chains?

Both online and stationary retailers carry snow chains of all kinds, especially in autumn and winter. Snow chains are available at all common specialty stores as well as automobile clubs and often also at gas stations.
In addition, there are of course several other websites and providers where you can order snow chains online. However, this overview is intended to show you the most important providers and largest platforms.

Are there different snow chains for different types of drives?

No – but snow chains should always be mounted on the driven wheels, i.e. with rear-wheel drive on the rear wheels and vice versa. The chains of a snow chain are called track chains or drive chains, depending on their position in relation to the tread of the tire.
Track chains run lengthwise to the tire, i.e. in the direction of travel, and above all prevent the tire from slipping sideways while driving. Drive chains, on the other hand, are transverse to the tread. This has the advantage that when the driven wheels turn, there is more traction than with track chains.
Apart from a few exceptions such as domestic snow blowers, where the wheels are purely responsible for propulsion but cannot be steered, it is now the case that snow chains for motor vehicles consist of a network of track and drive chains.
This means that with front-wheel drive, the front wheels do not have to be equipped with pure drive chains and the rear wheels with track chains.
If you have a car with four-wheel drive, it is not possible to say in general on which axle the chains should be mounted. This is because all-wheel drive systems work differently. You can find more detailed information in the operating manual of your vehicle.

Can I mount snow chains on all types of tires?

In principle, yes. However, limiting factors are the size of the tires and snow chains, as well as the distance between the wheel and the wheel housing.
Although snow chains can be mounted on almost every type of tire, it is advisable to drive with winter tires or tires with a designation like “M+S” from November to April. This label stands for “mud and snow” and means that these are tires that are considered winter tires when winter equipment is legally required.
Although snow chains can also be fitted to summer tires, this is not necessarily suitable for everyday use. This combination is only permitted if there is a continuous snow or ice roadway, as otherwise both the roadway and the chains can be damaged.
Since it is quite rare that there is no winter driving situation and suddenly a continuous snow or ice roadway, frequent mounting and dismounting would be the consequence.

Decision: What types of snow chains are there and which one is right for you?

Snow chains for passenger cars can basically be divided into the following main types:

• Snow chains with rope ring
• Snow chains with steel ring
• Snow chains with slip-on system
• Snow chains for aluminum rims

Each of these types has a slightly different design and differs from the others, especially with regard to mounting on the vehicle.
Depending on the type of vehicle, preference in mounting or limiting factors such as the distance between the tire and the body of the car, different types of snow chains are right for you.
In order to find the right snow chains for your car so that you can get through the winter safely, we introduce all relevant types and give you an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of each type.

How do snow chains with rope ring work and what are their advantages and disadvantages?

Snow chains with a rope ring are very suitable for everyday use because they can be mounted while stationary. This means that it is not necessary to maneuver the vehicle to attach the snow chains to the tire. The chain net consists of metal links which are connected to each other by a so-called rope ring.
The mounting of these chains is comparatively simple, since they can usually be mounted on the vehicle without any help or accessories.
The rope ring is guided around behind the tire and the metal net is then placed over the tread of the tire. Tension chains ensure that the chains remain ideally positioned on the tire even while driving. Since this system uses a flexible cable ring, it is easier to fit snow chains on rear-wheel drive vehicles than snow chains with a rigid steel ring.
If the chains are mounted on the front wheels, the steering angle allows the tire to be turned outwards and easily gripped behind the tire. However, this possibility does not exist for the wheels on the rear axle, which is why there should be a certain distance between the tire and the wheel housing for mounting.

When do I decide to use snow chains with pulley lock & steel ring and what are their advantages and disadvantages?

This type of snow chain is suitable for vehicle models that have a lot of space between the tire and the wheel housing. This type of snow chain is becoming increasingly rare in the trade. This is especially due to the fact that, similar to snow chains with a rope ring, the steel net is attached to a fixed bracket.
The big difference, however, is that the steel ring is inflexible and this often makes mounting more difficult. Due to the small distances between the tread of the tire and the wheel housing, it is often hardly possible to push the steel ring behind the wheel.
Especially with rear-wheel drive vehicles, where snow chains have to be attached to the rear wheels, mounting can be a challenge.
In snow drifts, darkness and cold hardly a pleasure. What makes it even more difficult is that a pure stand mounting is not possible. This means that after a few work steps, the car has to be maneuvered about half a meter forwards or backwards to be able to attach the chains accordingly.

How do snow chains with an attachment system work and what are their advantages and disadvantages?

The big advantage of snow chains with push-on systems is that they can be fitted to the wheels in a very short time. Depending on the manufacturer, the chain is placed on the ground in front of or behind the corresponding wheel. The vehicle is then rolled onto the laid out chains and these are closed.
In order to prevent the chains from slipping sideways, they have to be fixed to a corresponding adapter, which is usually attached to the wheel nuts. This system has enormous advantages for journeys in regions where there is no continuous snow cover, as this system allows quick mounting and dismounting.
These systems are extremely practical, but also more expensive than chain systems described above. However, the main focus is definitely on the fact that the installation of the adapter can be done in the warmth of the home garage and the stay outside to put on the snow chains is minimized.

Why do I need special snow chains for aluminium rims and what are their advantages and disadvantages?

Light alloy rims are prone to scratches and damage and therefore need special snow chains. Aluminum rims, also called aluminum rims, are already standard equipment in most new cars. In contrast to steel rims, however, scratches and dents can be seen more quickly and these cannot be covered with wheel covers.
Furthermore, light alloy rims are usually more expensive than conventional steel rims and therefore particularly worth protecting. Despite the use of special chain systems for aluminum rims, slight damage can often occur to the rim flange, the outwardly bent edge of the rim. However, this should be avoided to a large extent and the protection of the rim should be guaranteed if the tire is mounted correctly.
Purchase criteria: With these factors you can compare and evaluate snow chains
In the following we would like to show you the factors you can use to compare and evaluate snow chains. This will make it easier for you to decide whether a particular model is suitable for you or not.

In the following paragraphs, you can read about the individual purchase criteria and how to classify them

In summary, these are the following:

• Snow chain system
• Running net size
• Tire size
• Rim protection
• Automatic retensioning
• Accessories

Snow chain system

A fundamental decision in the search for the right snow chains is the question of the system. Should it be a cheap starting aid in case your car gets stuck? Or is frequent use aimed at, where a more expensive clip-on system is worthwhile?
The most common snow chain systems are equipped with a rope ring and consist of a metal running net. If there are no special requirements and if the chains are normally fitted for travel to a ski resort, conventional snow chains with a rope ring are an interesting option.
Hybrid chains are not equipped with the appropriate certification and are therefore not legally suitable as full-fledged snow chains. Nevertheless, as a starting aid or even for a few kilometers, they are a cheap and sensible replacement for heavy snow chains.
Attachment systems require a certain amount of preparatory work. For example, the adapter must be mounted on the wheel nuts and is essential for attaching the chains when needed.
If a frequent mounting is foreseeable or a regularly used slope can only be mastered with snow chains, the mounting of conventional snow chains is a time-consuming matter. In this case, snow chains can be laid out and fitted to the adapters within a few moments. This saves time and nerves.

Running net size

This criterion is particularly interesting for passenger cars, which have only a low clearance. This means that there is little space between tire and wheel arch and it is often not possible to attach chains with a large running net. The chain thickness is given in millimeters and is particularly important for vehicles with low clearance.
If snow chains are fitted with a chain link thickness that is too large, contact between the chain and the bodywork can occur, especially when cornering.
Serious damage to the wheel housing, chain breakage or damage to the tire and road surface can be the result. In case of doubt, it is therefore advisable to choose chains with a smaller chain mesh size. Small chain links usually have a similarly good traction value, but are smoother running and have a lower noise level.

Tire size

Both snow chains that are too small and those that are too large can cause serious damage to the vehicle and road surface. It is essential to know the rim and tire size of the mounted wheels in order to purchase the right snow chains. Manufacturers usually offer chain systems from 14 inch to about 18 inch.

Did you know that trucks and commercial vehicles need different snow chains than cars?
For heavy commercial vehicles they use diagonal track chains, normal or light ones use cross tracks and double track chains for forestry and agricultural vehicles.

A chain that is too small does not fit ideally over the wheel and does not rest on the tread. A chain that is too large, on the other hand, can skid due to the rotational movement and cause massive damage to the body, tire and chain itself.
It is therefore essential to ensure that the snow chain fits perfectly and to read the operating instructions beforehand and compare them with the mounted wheels.

Rim protection

Rims made of aluminum, so-called light alloy rims are particularly susceptible to scratches and damage. Therefore special care is required when mounting and using snow chains in combination with aluminum rims.
Some manufacturers have already reacted to this problem and offer special solutions to prevent damage to the rim. For example, the chain can run through eyelets that are designed to prevent contact between the rim and the chain.
Hybrid chains are made with textile and are therefore particularly gentle on alloy rims. However, it is important to pay attention to a corresponding Ö-Norm in order to be allowed to use them in Austria when snow chains are compulsory.

Automatic retensioning

A function that makes the use of snow chains more comfortable is a system that ensures the appropriate tension of the chains even while driving. Usually, after installation, the chains have to be driven several kilometers and re-tensioned again.
This is not necessary with so-called self-tensioning snow chains. These hold the chain mesh optimally on the tread of the tire and thus guarantee maximum traction while driving.
Nevertheless, the technology does not always work perfectly. Therefore a short check after a few kilometers is advantageous and additionally protects the vehicle from damage.

Accessories

Useful accessories such as a waterproof base to avoid kneeling in the snow and appropriate gloves make the application of snow chains much easier.
The application of snow chains usually takes place in less comfortable situations. You might get stuck on the snowy underground in the middle of the night on your way to your skiing vacation, it is dark outside and it might freeze.
In this situation a waterproof base and protective gloves are an investment that pays off. Therefore some manufacturers of snow chains have reacted and add accessories like the one just described to the snow chains.

Installation

In this point I would like to explain to you what is important during assembly. Of course, before fitting the snow chains, the respective instructions for use must be followed exactly to ensure that the chain is held securely.
Since the systems and models differ, there are no general instructions for assembly. However, before buying you should check if a so-called stand assembly is possible. This means that you do not have to move your vehicle while mounting.
Some models require that after a few steps the tire must be turned. Therefore the car has to be moved back and forth before the chains can be mounted completely.
This step takes time and can be avoided in many cases, as long as you pay attention to this before buying. Textile snow chains, also known as hybrid chains, often cannot be put on without moving the car, because the net that lies on the tread of the tire is very dense and therefore also covers the underside of the tire.

If the roadway is nevertheless icy or heavily snowed in, it is at your own discretion to install snow chains. However, it is regulated that snow chains may not be used if they could damage the roadway due to lack of snow.
Country-specific regulations apply to vehicles that exceed a maximum permissible total weight of 3.5t. Since the systems and models differ, there are also no general instructions for installation. However, before buying, you should make sure that a so-called stand assembly is possible. This means that you do not have to move your vehicle while mounting.

What do I have to consider when using snow chains?

The main focus when using snow chains is on the strongly changed driving characteristics of the vehicle. After fitting the chains, it is often advisable to deactivate any electronic stability programs that may be installed, if this is possible. The anti-lock braking system, better known as ABS, cannot usually be deactivated on any vehicle.
However, ESP and traction control systems should be deactivated if possible, as the tire can slip in the chains and thus the engine power is often reduced to a standstill by the electronics.
The speed should be adapted to the conditions with snow chains. Also the changed braking distance and special steering characteristics should be considered.
Due to the higher traction provided by snow chains on loose ground, it is important to know how the vehicle behaves, especially when cornering, if chains are not mounted on all four tires.
If chains are only mounted on the front tires but not on the rear tires in the case of front-wheel drive, the rear of the vehicle can break away if the cornering speed is too high and slip uncontrollably towards the outside of the curve.
If chains are only mounted on the rear tires but not on the front tires in the case of rear-wheel drive, the vehicle can continue to slide straight ahead when cornering speed is too high or when turning abruptly and no longer follows the direction of the front wheels. In order to avoid this risk, it is recommended that snow chains be mounted on all four wheels regardless of the drive system.

Can I drive on the freeway with snow chains?

Driving on freeways, highways, country roads and urban areas is generally permitted. If there are no local restrictions that expressly prohibit driving on the road with snow chains and the use of snow chains is necessary due to the road surface conditions, freeways can also be driven on with snow chains.

How fast can I drive with snow chains?

The maximum permitted speed is regulated by country. In Austria, for example, there is no speed limit for driving with snow chains fitted. In US, however, there is a legal speed limit. This is specified as 50 mph and must therefore not be exceeded.
It is advisable to adapt the speed to the prevailing conditions and the changed driving characteristics due to the installed snow chains.
Often a recommended maximum speed is given in the enclosed instructions. For safety reasons, however, a speed of 50 mph should not be exceeded anyway.