Homemade tire chains

[harrygrey382]

I'm having traction problems in my truck and am thinking chains may be the most realistic option for me right now. It's an International C1800 (2WD, 11 ton GVM) fitted with 9.00x20 tyres, duals on the back. I use it for hauling mill timber and firewood about the 22000 acre property I live and work on. There's a fair bit of steep country, and it can get pretty wet. It's also rocky in areas and the roads are loose when dry. A 4wd truck would be great, and aggressive drive tyres would be nice, but neither are going to happen. I can find some old tyres to fit that can be trashed. They'll never see tarmac. The truck starts really slipping on steep slopes where the loose surface (small rocks/dirt) just rolls away under the wheels, ANY mud at all, and steep grassy (even dry) slopes. And if I even think about wet grass it stops dead. I'm thinking chains will help with the second two at least?

So I'm thinking of making a set of mud chains. Any tyre chains are basically unobtainable round here, especially mud chains in my tyre size. I'm got plenty of metalworking gear and experience and can find chain no worries. I've searched on the internet but it's mostly making tractor chains and or for snow. I'm thinking of doing ladder type but joining every second ladder 'rung' together making them a pattern type. Not sure how to tension though. Also just thinking of doing the rears at the moment. When making chains for duals - can you just make them like they're for one tyre the width of both wheels, as in only two side chains and not one in between?

Does anyone have any tips/suggestions?

 

[2treeornot2tree]

Cant you order some from tirechains.com

 

[harrygrey382]

Thanks for the link, there are some perfect chains on there. International shipping might be a killer though, and that's on top of about $400 for the right ones anyway...

 

[homemade]

I'm sure you have learned now but you only need chain for one tire if your covering duals. At least that's all I've seen. One thing might be to looking to going with single tires that will support the weight but lessen the footprint. This will keep the flotation down increasing the total psi between the rubber and the road.

 

[harrygrey382]

I'm sure you have learned now but you only need chain for one tire if your covering duals. At least that's all I've seen. One thing might be to looking to going with single tires that will support the weight but lessen the footprint. This will keep the flotation down increasing the total psi between the rubber and the road.

Thanks, wasn't aware of only needing one chain per dual. That cuts the amount of chain I need by half! Much more accessible. Truck has spiders, not looking to convert and is there any way of running singles with them?