Proper Fitting Tire Chains

[Mud]

I've never sized chains and put them on a mud tire. I think I've got it a tight as can be after several iterations of cutting but just want to get confirmation from someone who has ran chains on an aggressive mud tire. It's certainly more challenging to get a good fit on a 36" Irok than a garden tractor because of the enormous lugs...

Two questions:

1. How much slack is too much slack?  
I can lift the chain about an inch off the tire and fit my hand flat between the chain and the tire. After grinding off several links this is the best i could do.
F#@king giant lugs make it a challenge...

2. Where does a guy get some kind of bungee device to tighten things up?
I tried a couple of bungee straps, but it's sketchy at best cause it's touch to get the exact right length. I believe there is some spider wed looking bungee out there, but wondering where.

http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n524/cehudson/chains1.jpg
http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n524/cehudson/chains2.jpg

[frenchy]

I'd want them tighter then that, drive down an alley and try them, will probably loosen off more as you drive. They need to be tight!

[tubby]

This is the first time I've heard of anyone putting chains on Interco Iroks. Those tires are regarded as one of the best offroad snow tires around due to the scalloped center lugs. Those tires aired down to single digits have hella-traction on the white stuff. Chains are the pinnacle of traction though but are definitely harder on the drivetrain.

I've used tire chains from anywhere from passenger cars to heavy equipment and snug is always better. You don't want too much slack as the chains( especially v-bar) will mangle wheelwell sheetmetal in a hurry. I've always tightened down the cam locks and used regular old rubber bungee cords in a criss-cross fashion.

[cLAY]

The only time my chains go on my iroks is when I'm in trouble such as a mechanical breakage reducing me to two wheel drive. I find the iroks hold the chains on reall well because on the lugs.

I have cam locks on my chains so I put them on, tighten them up and then drive a bit then stop and re tighten them. Bungies crisscrossed help take up slack as well.

[Mud]

Clay - These chains don't have cam locks, unfortunately.  When you tighten the cams can you get your finger between the high point of the lug and the chain?

I haven't tried Iroks in the snow yet but look forward to it. I have however wheeled TSL Swampeers and they were terrible. The price of the chains was right so I picked them up. They're probably over kill with front lockers, which I've also never wheeled with.. I agree that chains are harder on the drivetrain, but so too is having the Jeep pinned in third gear at 4000 rpm for extended periods of time to get up some of the icy hills at waiparous! I figured with Iroks, front locker, and chains on the back I'll idle up the hills that caused me grief  in my TJ.

[Mud]

some pics.

http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n524/cehudson/chains1.jpg
http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n524/cehudson/chains2.jpg

[Joel]

Airing down your tires to 15 or 20, install chains & tighten, then air up to 30 - 35 will allow you to tight them pretty good.

As mentioned chains are nice to have, but wouldn't run them regularly.  You would have been better off purchasing a set of Walker Evan beadloks for those iroks.

[cLAY]

That seems a bit loose.  I could see getting fingers in  it your palm seems a bit much.

Looks like you Can go up a link or two on the tightened.

[Mud]

Thanks clay. I'll get the grinder out again and cinch them up.

[Spinalguy]

i have resisted for soooo long.
Chains? really?
i have winter wheeled so many times, so many.
In all my winter wheelin, i have NEVER wheeled with anyone with chains.
We have done Pretty rock the hard way up and the hard way back as one of many examples.
It seems like the new kids have chosen to use chains instead of learning to drive :shaking head:
Adrenalin rush is underrated.
that is all.
chain up, safety first.

[cLAY]

I agree with you Tom but to each his own. I carry mine just for an emergency.

I suggest trying those IROKS without chains first and see what they can do. From my experience they are one of the best winter offroad tires for this area.

And why are you grinding links off? Just pick which link you want to use then push the excess off to the side. No need to grind anything off. The extra links are for adjustability.

Props to you though for making sure you know how to use them before hitting the trail.

[Spinalguy]

i am with you Clay but it seems like this new generation of wheelers have all these crazy rules to come out and play.
Emergency use for chains...agreed. i have never seen any emergency use needed for chains :shrug:
North South Truck trail in Indian Graves? chains? never seen it.
Do you think that the new generation of how kids have been brought up also coincide with how people have these necessary
minimum equipment mandatory recommendations?
My minimum...tow hooks front/rear. 15 psi min. That is it. Those with winches, help.
Remember when Gun invited anyone in Waiporous to wheel to Mountain Aire Lodge?
We had 30 rigs? Wolf 359 pulled about a dozen through the bog hole.
We all loved it.

Now. its all about minimum stuff. Maybe we all need to get back to grass roots and have fun wheelin, helping newbies and winching and tugging all day long.
:shrug: 4 wheeling is a princess adventure now.
i will never run chains...ever.

[Jrama]

I think it is like anything else, people always just want to go bigger and badder, has it gone a little overboard...probably, we are all a little guilty. I do agree the challenge and difficulty is more than half the fun.

[Mud]

I certainly appreciated the member  (Brian) who brought chains last year and kindly pulled several of us with lockers , 35s  and winches on more than one occasion. I hope that this winter season we're blessed with a ton of snow and ice  and I'll be able to return the favour (if required) by anyone  I'm on the trail with. 

As for as being a "kid", I certainly wish I was.  The 5 jeeps I have owned (my first in 1988) have served as my personal escape from the realities of adult life and allowed me to be "childlike" which is a close second!

[Spinalguy]

I certainly appreciated the member  (Brian) who brought chains last year and kindly pulled several of us with lockers , 35s  and winches on more than one occasion. I hope that this winter season we're blessed with a ton of snow and ice  and I'll be able to return the favour (if required) by anyone  I'm on the trail with. 

As for as being a "kid", I certainly wish I was.  The 5 jeeps I have owned (my first in 1988) have served as my personal escape from the realities of adult life and allowed me to be "childlike" which is a close second!

it sounds bad with what i wrote but...
have you ever just hit skinny pedal to get up a hill and not make it? Worse you slide backwards fast?
ADRENALIN rush? yes but safe? YES!!!!
Why?
Because all uphills are 'rutted' so,  if you do not make it, you slide back in the same ruts that were created to get up.
As long as you do not FIGHT it, you will be safe. If you do not make a hill, try again with more skinny pedal.
Seriously, if i am locked i will go as far as any chained jeep. If i am stock, i will give it my best shot and if i fail? i will go back down a hill with a great adrenalin rush. :shrug: