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Snow, ice, and slush can stop a light truck fast. Even good tires can slip on a steep, icy drive or a packed snow road.
Tire chains add metal edges that bite into snow and ice. They give your tires more grip when you need it most.
This guide lists 10 light truck tire chains. It also explains how to pick the right size, fit them, and use them on a 4WD truck. If your truck is not ready for cold weather yet, start with our guide on how to prepare your car for winter.
Key points
- Match chains to your exact tire size, not just your truck model.
- Check your owner’s manual for clearance and chain rules.
- Practice fitting chains at home, before a storm.
- Drive slowly with chains on, and remove them on bare pavement.
- Clean and dry chains after use, then store them in a dry place.
Top Light Truck Tire Chains for Winter and Off-Road Use
The chains below come from the original list for this guide. Most are made by Security Chain Company, with one Peerless set at the top. You can also use the maker’s Tire Chain Finder to match a chain to your tire size.
1. Peerless 0232805 Auto-Trac Light Truck/SUV Tire Traction Chain
This set is made for light trucks and SUVs. It is built to tighten as you drive, so you spend less time adjusting it by hand. It is a good pick for regular winter roads. Always check that the size matches your tire.
2. Security Chain Company QG3229CAM Quik Grip Wide Base Type CAM-DH
This chain has a wide base. It suits wider light truck tires. CAM tensioners help keep it snug on the tire. It is a good pick when you need strong grip in deep snow.
3. Security Chain Company ZT741 Super Z LT
This is a cable-style chain for light trucks. It is lighter to handle than a heavy link chain. It also needs less room around the tire. It is a good pick for trucks with tight clearance.
4. Security Chain Company QG2226 Quik Grip Light Truck LSH
This is a link chain for light trucks. It gives more bite than a light cable chain. It is a good pick for steady winter driving on snow and ice. Check the size list before you buy.
5. Security Chain Company QG4828 Quik Grip V-Bar Type DT
V-bar links have a raised bar shape. That shape bites into ice and hard-packed snow. This chain is a good pick for icy hills and steep drives. Take care on bare pavement, as V-bar links are rough on smooth surfaces.
6. Security Chain Company SZ462 Super Z8 8mm
This Super Z8 chain is made for light trucks. It sits low around the tire, so it needs less clearance. It is a good pick for paved winter roads. It suits occasional winter use more than rough off-road work.
7. Security Chain Company QG2228CAM Quik Grip Light Truck CAM LSH
This link chain uses CAM tensioners. The cams help you tighten the chain and keep it in place. It is a good pick for light trucks in regular winter use. Test the fit at home before you need it on the road.
8. Security Chain Company QG2828 Quik Grip V-Bar Light Truck LRS
This is another V-bar chain. It is made for strong grip on ice. It is a good pick for frozen back roads and packed snow. It is less suited to mud than a heavy link chain.
9. Security Chain Company TC2111MM Radial Chain LT Cable
This is a cable chain for radial light truck tires. It is light and simple to fit. It is a good pick for light snow and paved winter roads. It is not made for deep snow or rough off-road use.
10. Security Chain Company QG3227CAM Quik Grip Wide Base Type CAM-DH
This wide base chain also uses CAM tensioners. It suits larger light truck tires. It is a good pick for the rear axle when your manual calls for chains there. Check your tire size first.
Understanding Tire Chains for Light Trucks
What Do Tire Chains Do for Light Trucks?
Tire chains wrap around the tire. They add edges that grip snow and ice. That grip helps you start, steer, and stop on winter roads.
Chains do not turn a truck into an unstoppable machine. They help only when they fit well and you drive with care. Slow, smooth driving still matters most.
Tire Chains vs Cable Chains: Which Is Better for Your Truck?
Link chains are made of steel links. They usually give more bite in deep snow and mud. They also need more room around the tire.
Cable chains use steel cables with small cross pieces. They are lighter and sit lower on the tire. They suit paved winter roads and trucks with tight clearance.
Pick link chains for rough winter work. Pick cable chains for light, occasional winter road use. In both cases, fit and clearance decide what works.
How to Choose the Right Size and Fit for Tire Chains
Reading Your Light Truck’s Tire Size
Read the size printed on your tire sidewall. Do not buy by truck model alone. The same truck model can run different tire sizes.
Write down the full size, including width, aspect ratio, and rim size. Match that size to the chain maker’s size list. If your size is not listed, do not guess.
Matching Chains to Tire Dimensions and Clearance
Check the room around each tire. Look near brake lines, suspension parts, and inner fenders. Chains need space to move as the tire turns.
Deep tread and wide tires change the fit. A chain that fits a smooth tire may sit tight on a deep-lug tire. Test the fit before you buy a second pair.
Your owner’s manual may limit chain use. Some trucks allow chains only on certain axles. Some allow only low-profile chains or cables. Follow that manual first.
Installing and Using Tire Chains on Light Trucks
Step-by-Step Guide to Fitting Tire Chains
Fitting chains gets easier with practice. Test them in your driveway first. Do not learn on a dark, snowy roadside.
- Lay each chain flat, and untangle the links.
- Drape the chain evenly over the tire, or place it behind the tire if the design calls for that.
- Connect the inside fastener first, then the outside fastener.
- Drive a short distance, stop in a safe place, and re-tighten the chain.
- Check the fit again after a few minutes of driving.
After use, remove the chains when the road is clear. Let them dry before you pack them away. For more cold-weather tire care, see our winter tire maintenance tips.
Using Tire Chains on 4WD Trucks: Placement and Tips
For a 4WD truck, do not guess where chains should go. Check your owner’s manual first. Some trucks need chains on one axle only. Others allow chains on all four tires.
If you use one pair, start with the axle your manual recommends. If you use four chains, you need two pairs, since chains are sold for one axle at a time.
Drive slowly and smoothly with chains on. Avoid spinning the tires, hard braking, and sharp turns. Remove chains as soon as you reach bare pavement. For general winter driving advice, see the NHTSA winter driving tips.
Buying Guide for Best Light Truck Tire Chains
Start with your tire size and your manual. Those two facts narrow the list fast. Then think about where you drive most: paved roads, icy hills, or rough ground.
Chains work best with tires in good shape. Worn tires grip poorly, with or without chains. See our guide to the best light truck tires if your tires also need attention.
Check local chain rules before a trip. Some roads require chains in winter conditions. The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association shares general tire care information that is worth a read.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which tire chains are easiest to install on pickup trucks?
Cable chains and chains with simple tensioners are usually easiest to fit. Self-tightening and CAM styles also help, since they need less manual adjustment. Practice at home first, whatever style you pick.
Should I put chains on all four tires of my 4WD truck?
Sometimes, but only if your owner’s manual allows it. Four chains can give more even grip. Some trucks, though, allow chains on one axle only, or need low-profile chains. Follow the manual for your truck.
Do 4×4 trucks need tire chains, and which tires should they go on?
Yes, 4×4 trucks can still need chains in deep snow and on ice. Four-wheel drive helps you move, but it does not help you stop on ice. Put chains on the axle your manual recommends, and on all four tires only if the manual allows it.
Conclusion
The right chain is the one that fits your tire, suits your roads, and follows your manual. Start with size and clearance. Practice the fit at home. Then drive slowly, and take the chains off when the road is clear.