I just got a new set of very heavy duty snow chains. I know I will probably never need them, but you have to carry chains in Calif. in the mountains, and there might be times when I am in the back country during a snow storm. These are real chains, not cables. When I put them on in my driveway and tightened them up as much as I could, there were a couple of extra links at the end points, both inside the tire and outside. These are at the places where the hooks meet the other side of the chain.I am a little concerned about these extra links flopping around and hitting my wheel well -- there is plenty of clearance, but it still looks like it could happen.So I am asking experienced chain users -- is it ok to cut off some of that extra chain? Or should I leave it on, in case I need extra slack while installing the chain under difficult conditions? (I understand that once the chain is on, you roll a little bit and then take up as much slack as possible.)Thanks in advance for your advice!

If the tires are brand new then yes. Although I would still leave one. In difficult conditions you may want some slack to get them on. Once you roll 100 yards they may need tightened but at least you have them on. If you have them on a few times and want to cut that last link then fine.If the tires are a bit worn and you get new tires next year you might be looking for those extra links. Put some wire in with the set of chains to tie them back if needed.I would leave one or two max.

Yes, you can cut extra links but leave at least two. Carry cable ties to secure flopping links back to other links.Make sure they are the correct size for your tires before cutting.

Leave the extra length there may come a time when you'll need it. Tie the extra links off. I always use wire not cable ties as wire is stronger and less likely to break

My plow truck has all 4 wheels chained up and all have extra Link's which are secured to the opposite side of the chain by good bungee cords. Have been doing this for 11 years. You might want to sell them somedayto someone who has slightly bigger tires. I have 4 extra Link's on all 4 tires Leave the extra links.Dave

I’ve used carabiners to clip the extra length back to the side chains. I’ve run miles with chains that had several extra links.

Tire chains: ok to cut off extra links at end points?

24 Replies

wnjj
Explorer II
Mar 05, 2019
Dusty R wrote:
Is there a difference, on how well chains work, between on the inside or the outside wheel of duels?

I don't know if you have a choice. I can't see how you would tighten a chain on the inner tire. My chains are cam-lock style and need a few inches of room to twist the tool.

From a traction point of view I don't think it would matter any.
enblethen
Nomad
Mar 05, 2019
Some states require chains to go over both tires, not a single tire.
Dusty_R
Explorer
Mar 05, 2019
Is there a difference, on how well chains work, between on the inside or the outside wheel of duels?
profdant139
Explorer II
Mar 04, 2019
packnrat, great advice about putting chains on in dry conditions!

To answer your question about the law governing chains, I figure that if the sign says "chains required for all vehicles, even 4x4 with snow tires," and there is a highway patrol person stationed at the "chain up" area, I am not going to challenge their authority! ;)
enblethen
Nomad
Mar 04, 2019
Read through this file including notes.
CA Chain requirements
packnrat
Explorer
Mar 04, 2019
profdant139 wrote:
I just got a new set of very heavy duty snow chains. I know I will probably never need them, but you have to carry chains in Calif. in the mountains, and there might be times when I am in the back country during a snow storm.

These are real chains, not cables. When I put them on in my driveway and tightened them up as much as I could, there were a couple of extra links at the end points, both inside the tire and outside. These are at the places where the hooks meet the other side of the chain.

I am a little concerned about these extra links flopping around and hitting my wheel well -- there is plenty of clearance, but it still looks like it could happen.

So I am asking experienced chain users -- is it ok to cut off some of that extra chain? Or should I leave it on, in case I need extra slack while installing the chain under difficult conditions? (I understand that once the chain is on, you roll a little bit and then take up as much slack as possible.)

Thanks in advance for your advice!

not to drop on your thread,

but can you please show the cvc number requiring chains in ca.
yes if it is snowing cal trans will stop you. but i have never found any law saying such, nor have i talked to any chp or dot, that can provide any law on the books.

but yes leave extra links on them. gives you something to grab to hook them up. and as others said different manf tires will have different rolling dia.
have a role of wire, heavy pliers with cutters in them, plenty of bungee cords,(twice as many as you think you would ever need).
truckers chains need a special (cheap) tool to install them.
learn how to put them on in a warm dry sunny place first. not up in the cold wet slush on the side of the hwy, at 2 am.
time2roll
Nomad
Mar 02, 2019
Half the reason for chains in CA is most have never driven in the snow and makes them stay away or drive slower. The second half is CA gets a lot of that heavy wet mushy snow that is more difficult to drive on let alone climb a 5% to 8% grade up the hill.
mchero
Explorer
Mar 02, 2019
Funny,
I was raised in S Cal. Always had chains when going over the passes in winter. Moved to New Hampshire and only seen one pair of chains in 30 years.
bpounds
Nomad
Feb 27, 2019
You can do pretty much whatever you want with real tire chains. I've made them shorter, made them longer, added cross chains, etc. I do leave a couple of links extra and wire them back. Just so they fit if I get new tires, etc. You can weld links back in. You can also buy repair links that you just bend back together, if you ever need to increase the length again.

At over $100 for quality chains these days, it is definitely worth learning to repair or modify them.
hornet28
Explorer
Feb 27, 2019
profdant139 wrote:
I like the idea of a carabiner on the extra link, especially the one on the inside of the tire -- it would be hard to reach in and twist a wire (and then un-twist it when it is time to remove the chains).

Sorry I wasn't thinking about reaching behind the tire. You don't untwist the wire when done just cut it. My only experience with chains has been on tractors. In my 60 years of driving in Mi winters I've never seen a use for chains. Before anyone says I haven't seen much snow one winter we had 120" of snow just in the month of Jan. Plus I've been a hunter/outdoors-men and traveled the two tracks in deep enough snow to be pushing it with the bumper and in my younger years that would be with a car not a 4x4