Table of Contents
As frigid temperatures come around every year, the quest for maintaining safety on icy roads becomes crucial. Automatic tire chains, designed to offer a quick solution for better traction, have been a topic of interest. But do they truly deliver on their promise of improved safety and convenience during harsh winter conditions?
Let’s delve into the mechanics of automatic tire chains and evaluate their real-world efficacy.
What exactly are automatic tire chains and how are they beneficial for commercial and municipal vehicles?
These innovative devices are installed beneath the vehicle—activated with the flip of a switch to provide immediate traction under the tires. They are particularly useful for vehicles that require consistent reliability in snowy and icy conditions, such as commercial trucks and municipal vehicles.
How does the mechanism of automatic tire chains function to enhance road safety?
The complete automatic tire chain system includes as deployable wheel that is spun by making direct contact with the inside edge of a truck or bus’s tires. There are several short chains connected around the lower outside of these deployable wheels. As the tire spins the wheel, the chains are flung beneath the tire—perfectly synchronized by the speed of the spinning tire.
These wheels can be engaged and disengaged with the flip of a switch from the driver’s seat. These systems allow vehicles to maintain traction without stopping to manually apply chains. This feature is critical for keeping emergency and commercial vehicles moving safely and efficiently in adverse weather conditions.
Why should fleet managers consider automatic tire chains for their vehicles?
The primary advantages include increased safety through on-the-spot traction, DOT approval across all 50 states, and the elimination of the need to manually install chains in dangerous roadside conditions.
In what ways do automatic tire chains improve safety on icy roads?
By allowing activation while the vehicle is in motion, these chains reduce the risk of accidents associated with stopping on icy roads. This is especially crucial for emergency vehicles and other high-priority fleet that operate in places with changing weather conditions.
So, they're great on ice. But how effective are automatic tire chains in snowy environments?
These systems are adept at handling snow depths up to six inches, providing immediate and reliable traction that can be the difference between staying on route or experiencing delays.
Automatic tire chains in the disengaged position.
What convenience factors do automatic tire chains offer to fleet managers and drivers? The ease of use, with systems being engaged at the push of a button, saves valuable time and effort, particularly in emergency scenarios where time is of the essence.
Where might automatic tire chains fall short?
Automatic tire chains may not be a replacement for standard tire chains in locations with extreme winter conditions. While they provide significant advantages on snowy and icy roads, their performance can be less effective in deep snow or off-road conditions, highlighting the importance of understanding the appropriate applications and limitations.
How do automatic tire chains stack up against conventional tire chains?
Automatic tire chains offer a seamless, safe alternative that eliminates the need for manual labor, enhancing safety and efficiency, especially under urgent circumstances. This being said and as mentioned before, they may not be a complete substitute for standard chains for extreme winter conditions (areas of immensely deep snow) or for some off-road applications.
Which vehicles benefit most from using automatic tire chains?
The use cases for automatic tire chains can vary—from trucks to buses and beyond. From emergency and rescue vehicles to commercial trucks and municipal vehicles, these chains support a broad range of applications where quick adaptation to road conditions is vital.
When questioned, most truck drivers have positive things to say about automatic tire chains—even in places not traditionally known for as rough winter conditions.
"They are on every firetruck I've ever seen here in Atlanta," one trucker explained.
"As a class A truck driver, I run Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Colorado. We run in all weather conditions so no matter the snow storm, we run. In the west we have microclimates—one valley might be sunny and dry, the next is 3 inches of snow and zero visibility. Our fleet has them on all front drives, and a couple of our longer routes the trucks have them on both sets of drives. The single set do just fine in the average bad snowstorms if you have decent tread on your drives," another trucker said.
All of this being said, truckers are willing to admit their limitations.
"They are very good (but) they don’t beat actually fully chained tires. But you also don’t have to stop to put them on and take them off. I’d argue they become safer on the whole as a driver won’t 'push it' because they don’t want to chain up yet, or the conditions are ever-changing from snow/ice to wet and clear roads. They also cut down on wear to chains when driven on dry roads between snowy spots," another trucker explained.
Generally, the price range for automatic tire chain systems can be anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000. The price typically includes the entire kit necessary for installation.
Factors influencing the cost include the type of vehicle (commercial trucks, buses, and emergency vehicles might be on the higher end of the price spectrum), the number of wheels being outfitted, the complexity of the installation, and the specific features of the chain system. Additionally, professional installation, which is recommended to ensure proper operation and safety, can add to the overall cost.
It's important to consider that while automatic tire chains are more expensive upfront than manual snow chains, they offer significant convenience and can be deployed quickly, reducing downtime and increasing safety in sudden adverse weather conditions.
Find Your Commercial Trucks and Accessories
Whether you’re looking for accessories for your fleet of commercial trucks or commercial trucks themselves, your friends from My Little Salesman can help. Since 1958, My Little Salesman has been connecting buyers and sellers of heavy equipment, commercial trucks, industrial equipment, attachments, and accessories, and anything else necessary to get the job done with interactive online listings from dealers and sellers all over North America.
Start your heavy duty shopping (or selling) journey now.