Every single year, there are too many vehicle accidents due to loss of control under snowy and icy conditions. The main reason for this is that many tires do not provide enough traction to stop effectively especially when driving under terrible weather conditions. Every winter it is crucial that you spend money on the safety of your car, such as tire chains, to reduce your risk of having a terrible accident. Use the list below as a guide to see which one is the best tire chains you can buy.
The Best Tire Chains for Snow
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Since there are so many tire chains on the market today, we have decided to create a list of 7 of the best that can be purchased. Use this list as a guide to see which one is going to work the best for you. Increase your own safety and make the purchase, as it could definitely save your or a loved one’s life!
Rather than look specifically at one brand today, we have decided to look at different products that come from a variety of manufacturers. We believe this is going to give you a lot more to choose from, and also give you the names of the top brands when it comes to tire chains. We strongly recommend that you write them down, and Google them to see which ones stand out. It is incredibly important that you put in the research yourself, so you are able to see what is going to be the best purchase for you. With that being said, let’s get into the first review.
1. Peerless Tire Chains for 20 x 10.00 x 8
Peerless Tire Chains for 20 x 10.00 x 8
The first product up for review is the Peerless Tire Chains for 20 x 10.00 x 8. This is an affordable set of tire chains available for purchase. They measure 13.2” by 7.6” by 3.4” and weigh 15.4 lbs. They have been built for tires that measure 20” x 10.00” x 8” and are one of the number one best sellers of snow chains on Amazon’s website.
These chains are equipped with a little more flexibility than others, so you may need to trim a bit of the link depending on the size of your tire. These chains are a little thin, but that does not decrease the amount of traction they can get, and also allow you to have a smoother ride.
Pros
- Affordably priced
- Offer a smooth ride
- Great weight
- Offer great traction
- Perfect fit
Cons
Hard to install
Conclusion
The Peerless Tire Chains are definitely one of the best tire chains. They provide added traction and aren’t too thick to cause an extremely bumpy ride. Since they are a bit more advanced, we did find them a bit difficult to install at first and you may need some help if you are a beginner when it comes to tire chains.
2. ROP Shop Snow Mud Traction Tire Chains
ROP Shop Snow Mud Traction Tire Chains
The second tire chain up for review is The ROP Shop Snow Mud Traction Tire Chains. These have 2-link spacing equipped on them and have been plated in zinc, to increase durability and effectiveness on the snow. The specs of these chains are 4mm (for the outside links) by 4.5 mm (for the crosslinks). This comes in a set of two chains for the tire, and also has free shipping included.
Pros
- Really strong
- Made of durable material
- Great look
Cons
Difficult to put on
Conclusion
The ROP Show Snow Tire Chains are fantastic whether you need to increase the traction of your tires in the winter, or if you need chains on a farm to increase traction in the mud. They are made out of heavy-duty material and will not easily rust. As with many tire chains, they are a pain to put on at first, and we found that we had to let some air out of our tires to get them to fit properly, and then pump the tires back up. That being said, once they are on, they are some of the best tire chains for purchase.
3. Security Chain Company Set of Two
Security Chain Company Set of Two
The next set of tires chains is the Security Chain Company Set of Two. These come in multiple sizes so you can find the best one that is going to work on your vehicle. They offer sizes from SZ115 all the way to SZ447 (with so many in between)! Without a doubt, there is going to be a size for your tires on the list.
These have been created to be used on both cars and pickup trucks that are built with limited operating clearance around the driving tires. You do not need to move the vehicle for installing, allowing a much easier process. There is a tightener equipped right in the rubber, meaning after installing you don’t need to retighten.
These chains have one of the best all-round performances on the market today and are very compatible with anti-lock brakes, all-wheel drive, and systems that are electronically equipped. Use these on higher-end cars.
Pros
- Easier to put on
- Great for use on cars with electronic controlled systems
- Tightens great
- All-round performance is the best
Cons
- May not be as durable as others
- More expensive
Conclusion
Many of the latest cars are equipped with electronic systems for a much safer way to control the vehicle. However, many tire chains can get in the way of these systems, but not the Security Chain Company. These are a fantastic set of chains if you have a more recent car and you want chains to work well with the computerized system! They do come with a higher price tag than most, which may deter you from buying them.
4. OPD Tire Chains
OPD tire chains
The next product is the OPD tire chains. These are able to fit 20 x 8.00 – 10 tires, or 20 x 8.00 –8, or 20 x 8 x 10 or 20 x 8 x 8, so there are plenty of options available. They are even able to fit tires that are 20 x 7 x 12, or 20 x 8 x 10, or 20 x 9 x 8, or 21 by 7 by 10. They are plated with zinc to resist any corrosion, making them one of the most durable ones on the list today. You want to make sure when purchasing a set of tire chains that they are going to last you a long time!
This is a twist-link type of cross-chain and the side chains have been welded. This set also comes with two tighteners to ensure they stay on with a snug fit.
Pros
- Fits a wide variety of tires
- Zinc plated—very durable
- Resists any corrosion
Cons
Not as high end as others on our list
Conclusion
The set of OPD tire chains are a great buy, especially if you are looking for tire chains that are plated with zinc and will last a long time. However, they are not as good as the three previous products, simply because they do not provide as much traction as the others.
5. Konig 10mm CS9 Super-Premium Passenger Car Snow Chain
Konig 10mm CS9 Super-Premium Passenger Car Snow Chain
The Konig 10mm CS9 Super-Premium Passenger Car Snow Chain is another of the best tire chains. This is the cheapest car snow chain on the list, so if you don’t want to spend a lot of money, then definitely take a look at these. They come in all of these sizes: 50, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 97, and 104.
In case you are nervous about anything going wrong, these have been backed by a 5-year warranty (established by Thule), so if they do break you can simply get a new set for no additional charge. This chain is made of high-quality steel that has a smaller gauge, allowing your driving to be less bumpy. When assembling the chain, there are color-coded points that allow an easy install, especially if you’ve never put a set on before. They are equipped with a self-tensioning cycle, and also a self-centering install that gets it to fit right away. There is a quick-release removal right on the back, to make it easy to take off if you do not want to use it anymore.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Great for beginners
- Color-coded assembly
- Self-tensioning
Cons
Not the best for the most traction possible
Conclusion
The Konig Car Snow Chain is a fantastic purchase if you are a beginner when it comes to tire chains and does not want to spend a lot. They are easy to put on and will get the job done. However, you must know that these are not as durably made as to the previously reviewed chains, and if you are looking for the most traction possible, you won’t want to purchase this set.
6. TerraGrips Tire Chains
TerraGrips Tire Chains
The next set is the TerraGrips Tire Chains. These are a higher-priced option when purchasing tire chains. They have been made to be used in all types of conditions such as snow, mud, gravel, and many more. Unlike the previous chains, these are equipped with rubber slats to go around the tire, that provides a strong grip, and will also protect the surface you are driving on from damage. This is great if you are using it on your own driveway, a field, or on a busy road.
The rubber slats are incredibly durable and will actually prevent wear on the tires that is usually caused by the steel chains seen on other models. They are easy to put on, with no tools required, and the steel components on the outer side resist any rust.
Pros
- Enabled with rubber slats
- Easy to put on
- Less wear on-road/tires themselves
Cons
Not as strong as metal
Conclusion
The reason we included the TerraGrips Tire Chains is that they offer a great alternative to purchasing metal tire chains, which are the norm. These are great if you worry about damaging your driveway or a field, as they are not going to destroy the ground. This is a great buy!
7. Glacier 1038 Passenger Cable Tire Chain
Glacier 1038 Passenger Cable Tire Chain
The final review is for the Glacier 1038 Passenger Cable Tire Chain. It comes in either the Model-1038 or the Model-1042. It comes with steel rollers to be placed around the tire that have cable cross members. It can be placed on both the front and rear tires.
Pros
- Strong
- Durable material
Cons
Traction not great
Conclusion
As this is our last tire chain product, they are the least of the best but still an affordable purchase. They are easy to put on and are durable, however, are not as great as the others.
Final Thoughts on Best Tire Chains
All seven of the tire chains above are definitely some of the best. We highly recommend that you make sure the one you purchase will fit your tires.
