I work in the semi-truck industry (Volvo of Denver) and see automatic chains on simi's all the time, well I've been looking at chains etc. and kinda wondering about auto chains on a light truck. Apparently this has been done before on light trucks. Has anyone ever seen or thought of using this setup on a rig? It does sound expensive at $2200 (including OBA) installed. I'm sure it can be done ALOT cheaper by installing it yourself. The only setback is that its not capable of handling snow over 15". But hey hit a switch on the dash and presto! Instant traction!

http://ezinearticles.com/?A-Look-at-...hains&id=68731
http://www.onspot.com/

 

That wouldn't be my first choice of ways to spend $2200.

If you want more traction at the flip of a switch (for less than $2200), install a front ARB locker to go with your rear locker.

 

yeah but if you ever wheel your truck say bye bye to those automatic chains in like 10 minutes on the trail.

2200 bucks, thats easily dual arbs and a regear.

 

There are setups like that out there that are marketed to fire trucks and ambulances. Wouldn't limited slips in both axles and standard chains do more? I know that lockers are bad news in snow/ice since they will induce sliding so I think most people that live in those areas use limited slips. A couple of Truetracs is the way I would go - but of course I have lockers front and rear so I'm not one to go mildly when it comes to traction.

 

LSDs will have the same drawbacks as lockers in those situations.

 

What happens when you stop? Do the chains keep beating against your tire? That looks more like a gimic than a real product, but I guess if it works then it works.

Rob

 

Thats pretty cool. Never heard of it before. Wouldnt be worth 2200 to me though.

And it uses the force from the tire it looks like, so when you stop, it would stop.

 

Because the chains are spun relative to tire speed, they wouldn't work when you got stuck which is when you need them.

For really slick surfaces where both wheels have about the same level of traction, a locker really isn't much help.

 

We have theme on our ambulances, it is a love hate relationship. I love theme because when we are transporting a patient we can use theme on the compact snow and ice for traction, and turn theme off as the road conditions improve, therby making for a more comfortable ride. I hate theme because they do not work unless you are moving, they can brake if you turn theme on after you get stuck, being as they only work when moving they don't help much for stopping. I would rather not have theme, give me a rig with cables and I will engage my brain and common sense, seems to work better every time.

 

When it comes to wheeling with chains, V-bar chains are the only way to go IMO. Otherwise those auto-chains seem interesting. But as others have stated, there are much better ways to spend that cash...

Cheers

 

how do they work? i've never heard of auto chains before

 

On the ambulances, when the switch is turned on a small air compressor starts, which supplies air to a cylinder,the cylinder pushes an arm down into position, attached to that arm is a "drive shaft" on one end of the "drive shaft" is a rubber wheel that is pushed against the sidewall of the tire, on the other end of the "drive shaft" is a metal wheel that has short sections of chain attached around the outside of it. When the rubber wheel is pushed into the sidewall of the tire, it spins the "drive shaft" that in turn spins the chain wheel, throwing the chains under the tire.

Another problem for a trail rig is that they hang so low when deactivated that the ends of the chain's are barely off of the ground and when the sidewalls flex even a small amount that they hit the ground. Not a problem in an ambulance, they just jingle a little.