How to put chains on a car and trailer

In winter, there are situations where, due to the risk of snow or frost appearing on the road, it is necessary to put chains on the wheels of cars and trailers to drive safely. Chains improve the car's traction, preventing it from skidding. However, not many know how to put chains on the wheels. So here’s a guide on how to do it.

If you are going on a trip this winter and have never put chains on your car, you may not know how to do it at first and feel a bit frustrated. Therefore, in this post, we will tell you everything you need to know so you won't have any problems and what steps you should follow.

Which Wheels Should You Put Chains On

Chains should not be placed on all wheels; it is enough to only put them on the driving wheels. If you are unsure which ones those are, you can check your car's manual, which will explain everything in detail.

In front-wheel drive cars, you should always place the chains on the front wheels. Conversely, if it is rear-wheel drive, you will need to do so on the rear wheels.

How to Place Chains on a Car or Trailer

Before explaining how to place chains on a car, it is important to note that there are several different models. Therefore, it is important to know how to proceed according to the chains you will use.

Fabric-Covered Chains

Fabric-covered chains are not the most common, but they are very easy to install, taking less than 10 minutes. The first thing you need to do is unroll the cover to ensure you are installing it in the correct direction. When placing the cover on the wheel, you should start from the top, covering its entire surface. Once you have done this, you will need to move the car a few centimeters to continue covering the rest of the wheel. Before setting off, make sure that the cover fully covers the tire to prevent it from coming loose.

It is important to note that this type of chain can only be used when there is snow, as the cover would break if it came into direct contact with the asphalt.

Classic Snow Chains

These are the most commonly used model due to their low cost, although they take the most time to install, averaging around 20 minutes. To place them on your car, you must first stretch them on the ground and ensure they are not tangled at any point. Then, you should stretch the steel cable and hook it to the back of the wheel. Next, stretch the chain over the tire tread and move the vehicle so the wheel sits on top of the links. Finally, connect the hooks with the tensioners. This part is easier than it seems, as they can only fit together in one way.

Mixed Chains

Mixed chains are a combination of the models discussed earlier, achieving the ease of installation of fabric chains and the security of link chains. When installing this type of chain on a car, the first thing you should do is stretch them on the ground to check for knots. Then, place the nylon ring at the back of the wheel and extend the rest of the chain over the tire. Finally, move the car a few centimeters to complete the process.

As with fabric chains, you must always remove them when there is no snow since the links can damage the vehicle's rubber.

Snow Tires

Another option available to avoid driving with low traction on ice and snow is to change the tires for snow tires. These already offer a tread designed to be used on both icy roads and regular roads, making them a common choice for those who frequently travel between these two types of terrain.