How do you put chains on your RV's?

[eichacsj]

We mostly travel in winter From AZ to Denver or to Seattle for Christmas. We also mostly boon-dock for long weekends a lot of the time in winter. So I do put on chains here and there. Here is how I do it, sorry no pictures yet, on a trip this winter next time I put the chains on I will pictorially document it if my description doesn't work. Now this will only work if you have slots in your rims.

First for your TV and rear axle of TT;
1) Lay the chains out in the back of the wheel
2) I carry bailing wire (from any box store) and I cut 6 pieces about 12 - 14 inches (depends on how wide your rims are)
3) Thread the wire through a slot in your rim, hook the chain on each end of the wire on all 6 wheels
5) hop in your TV and drive forward until the chain is all around your tire and where you can reach to hook the chain.
6) Remove the wire and attach the chain hooks
7) do the same for your front TT axle except you will have to back up.
😎 attach chain tighteners, though I think you will find doing it this way the chains go on very tight. Unless on the highway I do not put on the tighteners.

They use to sell tire clamps to do this back in the old days :-).

Just my way, thought I would throw it out.

Happy RV'ing

[bpounds]

eichacsj wrote:
You all misunderstood the use of the wire. It is only used to hold the chains long enough to roll one revolution of the tire to wrap the chain around the tire. You then remove the wire and link the chains as normal. Why this method instead of draping them over the tire? Because they get on so much tighter, so tight that I don't use tighteners unless on the highway.

I understood exactly what you meant. Don't see the point really, but I assume it works for you, so no worries.

The way they tuck disk brake calipers into the wheels these days, I am leery of putting anything through the spokes. I guess the risk is minimal doing what you suggest. But for example, they sell a kind of tire "chain" that is a few straps that go through the spokes of the wheel. They wrap around the tire cross-section so to speak. Those look like trouble to me.

Here are a couple of examples;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pc3xsqWjgzY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoVdBkPfajg

[bpounds]

If you use it to tie bales, you better stock baling wire. If you use it to fashion a handle for your bucket, then you can use bailing wire.

🙂

[eichacsj]

Dave H M wrote:

CavemanCharlie wrote:
Bailing wire ??? I didn't know you could get that stuff anymore. Haven't tied bails with wire since the 30's. It was multi strand wire and it was very hard to work with.

Go to a big box store like Lowes and get a roll of the wire that will be next the rebar. It closely resembles bailing wire. I would not be without in the barn/shop.

Exactly it is wire. I call it bailing wire from my old days on the ranch.

[eichacsj]

You all misunderstood the use of the wire. It is only used to hold the chains long enough to roll one revolution of the tire to wrap the chain around the tire. You then remove the wire and link the chains as normal. Why this method instead of draping them over the tire? Because they get on so much tighter, so tight that I don't use tighteners unless on the highway.

[CavemanCharlie]

Dave H M wrote:

CavemanCharlie wrote:
Bailing wire ??? I didn't know you could get that stuff anymore. Haven't tied bails with wire since the 30's. It was multi strand wire and it was very hard to work with.

Go to a big box store like Lowes and get a roll of the wire that will be next the rebar. It closely resembles bailing wire. I would not be without in the barn/shop.

Oh I see. Single strand metal wire. Around here I would call that Electric Fence Wire but, that might just be a local thing.

We use that on the farm for a lot of things. We also use some Number 9 wire for somethings too. But, that stuff is hard thick wire that is difficult to wrap. It's more for something that you want to wrap up once and then never bother with it again.

[bpounds]

smkettner wrote:
No bailing wire for me.

Lay down a board parallel to the axle.
Lay down the chain and drive onto the board.
Connect the inside, connect the outside.
Install tensioner and off I go.

The board is a pretty good idea. Some chain sets come in a box with a lid that is sort of a ramp, and a groove across the middle, and is intended to do the same thing. You can also buy the plastic ramp. I wouldn't bother carrying either of those things around with me, but a short board would be nice to have, and has plenty of other uses too.

Around here (So Cal), most chain sets purchased never get used. People buy them for a trip to the ski slopes, and if they are lucky enough to not need to use them (usually you don't) they get returned to the store. A practice that the stores actually encourage. Our CHP will require you to have them in the mountains during weather events, and even have road blocks and ask to see that you have them. My real chains ride in my truck box year round.

[Dave_H_M]

CavemanCharlie wrote:
Bailing wire ??? I didn't know you could get that stuff anymore. Haven't tied bails with wire since the 30's. It was multi strand wire and it was very hard to work with.

Go to a big box store like Lowes and get a roll of the wire that will be next the rebar. It closely resembles bailing wire. I would not be without in the barn/shop.

[Tvov]

WyoTraveler wrote:
The new cable chains go on much easier. They have a break and connector in the middle on one side also. Slip the chain around the wheel on the ground and close that connector. Bring it up over the tire snap remaining connectors. No need to back over them any more like link chains. Approved in most states for commercial trucks and busses. I have a set for my MH. Also lighter in weight. They have some videos on the internet on installation. I do use rubber tighteners.

The chain installers at the chain up places use jacks for old link chains because it is much faster and they don't want to enter and drive your vehicle and don't trust drivers for backing over and stopping etc.

I might look for those. Last time I looked for tire chains (about 5 years ago), the "cable chains" were all very cheap and just for emergency use, and were not expected to last more than one or two uses.

[ol_Bombero-JC]

smkettner wrote:
No bailing wire for me.

Lay down a board parallel to the axle.
Lay down the chain and drive onto the board.
Connect the inside, connect the outside.
Install tensioner and off I go.

Ditto the above.

Second nature - and easy.

No need for the "tricks" (or the board).

Had place in the So CA mtns for years.
Even changed my address on my DL to my mtn place for the rare times
the CHP would shut down access to all *except* residents...:W

BTW - Bailing wire sure sounds like "flatlander" talk!..:R

However, now I use "Plan B" - easiest method of 'em all......
...just stay away from the white stuff...;)

~

[time2roll]

No bailing wire for me.

Lay down a board parallel to the axle.
Lay down the chain and drive onto the board.
Connect the inside, connect the outside.
Install tensioner and off I go.

[wnjj]

CavemanCharlie wrote:
Bailing wire ??? I didn't know you could get that stuff anymore. Haven't tied bails with wire since the 30's. It was multi strand wire and it was very hard to work with.

Every baler I've run and most bales I've bucked have had wire. Some used twine.

I've never heard of multi-strand.

Oh wait... Are you just being funny with the spelling?

[JESTER7406]

Here are the highlights
#1 Have DW get in trailer and make me some coffee.
#2 Chain Truck with real chains. All 4 Wheels.
#3 Rear axle of Trailer with the les schwab little chains. Although as I am typing this I am not sure that the rear axle has the brakes on it(vs front one) I dont recall looking on this trailer ever. Havent put chains on this one either.
#4 Coffee goes in real mug. Kinda works as speed control.
#5 Get back in, warm up, go camp!

[JESTER7406]

Here are the highlights
#1 Have DW get in trailer and make me some coffee.
#2 Chain Truck with real chains. All 4 Wheels.
#3 Rear axle of Trailer with the les schwab little chains. Although as I am typing this I am not sure that the rear axle has the brakes on it(vs front one) I dont recall looking on this trailer ever. Havent put chains on this one either.
#4 Coffee goes in real mug. Kinda works as speed control.
#5 Get back in, warm up, go camp!

[Gonzo42]

How do I install my chains? Very Carefully. (Tiddy-Boom) OK, I couldn't resist it.

I use some work gloves that are cheap and disposable. I also use bungee cords to keep them tight, plus I drive a few feet after the first install to work out the looseness and readjust if necessary.

[bpounds]

Pretty good instructions here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oH3rL6tqUj0

And I really like these cable chains:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeZYqwlgUUE

🙂