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

[profdant139]

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!

[wnjj]

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]

Some states require chains to go over both tires, not a single tire.

[Dusty_R]

Is there a difference, on how well chains work, between on the inside or the outside wheel of duels?

[profdant139]

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]

Read through this file including notes.
CA Chain requirements

[packnrat]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[rhagfo]

The chains bought for our 2016 Ram 3500 DRW had about 30 tire sizes listed on the package. I ended up removing a cross link and about 5 side chain links to fit my tires, I left 2 extra links on both sides.

[joshuajim]

If you install the chains after driving on snow the tires will be slightly larger than when installed “dry” as the snow pack between the treads usually add a small amount to the diameter. You might need those extra links until you drive a little and readjust.

[NMDriver2]

crosscheck wrote:
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

Best advice.

Plus when your tires are in the slush and you are laying down feeling for the inside links, fumbling with the link latch, with cold fingers, a few extra links are a good thing. 😉

[D_E_Bishop]

When fitting chains it is not unusual to remove all the extra links on the inside of the wheel and tie back extra links on the outside. Even with normal wear, if the chain on the inside is the correct length, you only really need to adjust the outside chain.

It also makes the installation of the inner chain easier. No guessing which link to put it in or is it long or short enough, no tying back the bitter link.