While most people curl under their bed covers during the snowy winter months, drivers of dump trucks see this kind of weather as a great opportunity to make good money. It needs to be noted that trekking snowy and/or icy roads in a huge commercial vehicle with tons of weight doesn’t just require superb driving skills; it requires the right equipment to get proper traction on the road as well. To accomplish that, a set of snow chains is not only needed but required to even proceed onto certain roads, especially in the mountainous states.

Snow chains are specialized pieces of steel equipment that are wrapped and secured around the tires to keep them from loosing grip when driving on snow-covered highways. The size varies depending on the size of the wheel. Laws and statutes also vary from state to state, both as to the number of chains allowed as well as if they are mandatory to travel over certain highways. So before buying, always check the laws and statutes of the states being traversed.

One of the most challenging parts of using this piece of snow gear is actually installing it around the tire, particularly when you are installing them in freezing weather conditions. The method for installing these devices actually varies depending upon the brand; but there are some aspects that are common to all vehicles and tires. Following is a list of steps on how to make a proper installation for snow travel on your dump trucks.

Park the truck – Before you start on the installation, it is important to find a parking area where you can safely install the chains. Since you will be working beside and with the wheel itself, parking your truck on a roadside isn’t the first choice. If there is no other conceivable place for installation purposes, make sure the vehicle is well off the side of the road on an improved shoulder. Wear a safety vest and have a spotter stationed to watch for oncoming traffic.

Spread It Out – First and foremost, spread the snow chain beside the tire where it is going to be installed and untangle it. This is also a good time to check for any possible damage to the device and to determine the right side of it. A manual should help you make a proper determination since they come in different brands as well as designs. The general concept is to keep the sharp ends and connections facing away from the tire wall to prevent those ends from damaging the tire.

Drape Over the Tire – Once you have the right side and the right direction of the device determined, the next step is to drape it over the wheel. Some of these will require you to back-up on it and pull the rest of it over the wheel. Again, it depends on the type you have selected.

Lock-up and Tighten- After the snow chain is draped over the tire, the next step is to connect the hooks starting on the inner wall of the tire followed by the outside wall. Tighten the cambers of the device to get rid of slack. Make some final adjustments and make sure that it fits snugly onto the tire. Lastly, attach rubber straps forming an ‘X’ across the side wall of the tire to secure it and keep it from loosening.

Inspect – Now that the chain is installed on the tire, the next step is to drive it for a mile. Then stop and make a quick inspection and perform any necessary adjustments. Inspect it at regular intervals to make sure that it is secured well. Remember to keep your speed as recommended by the manufacturer to prevent breaking the equipment.

That completes the process of how to put snow chains on commercial vehicle tires. Best wishes for the snowy months and keep those dump trucks moving!