ATV Tire Chains

What is everybody's opinion on tire chains for ATV's. I am looking to get some, and what brand to buy and where to put them; front or back. I have a 2001 Honda Foreman ES which is all time 4x4, and do they help in deeper snow. Thanks for any advice!

I just bought a set of Atv chains for my 2x4 ATV. I could'nt get around on the snow covered ice. any advice on how to put them on? I heard something about deflating the tires a little to get them on tighter? any help appreciated. GG

Buy them on E-bay a lot cheaper than Farm and Fleet. Farm and Fleet wanted almost 150.00 I got them on E-bay for 39.00, same brand... They sell new ones on E-bay.....Check it out....

Mike, it depends on the type of ATV. Mine is an auto 4x4, it only kicks in when the rear wheels are slipping and that's if I set in on auto. Many atv's are designed where the drive wheels may be slipping at various times like when mud running. You can put chains on a truck but you should only have it in 2 wheel drive. The weight of the truck puts too much stress on the drive gear if it suddenly gets traction where the wheels were slipping before. If on ice not much to worry about. As far as chains helping in deep snow they are great.

i talked to the shop manager when i picked up my 4wheeler last fall about tire chains and seeing people with them only on one axle i know on 4wheel drive trucks the say never put chains on only one axle and he said the same goes for atvs the two axles are hooked together in the driveline and giving traction to one and not the other something has to takeup the slack in a pickup it is the transfer case that will break not sure if atvs have these or how they do it but it can't be good for them imho

About $45 at fleet farm. Check your machine before you buy them for the front. Not all atv's have enough clearance and you could do a lot of damage.

Farm & Fleet has them relatively inexpensive compared to an atv dealer.

Backs will be fine. Another trick is to air down the tires install the chains and air them back up tire recomended pressure, That is the easiest way to get the snug.

So....are front chains necessary or do the rear chains do the trick? I would think that for ice fishing chains are a must for decent traction.

I have had chains on two of my atc's and three of my friends four wheelers and never had the chains come off yet. You just have to make sure and put them on right. That's why I said to use the heavy zip ties . crises cross them on the front of the tire to keep the tires snug , ( but not tight ). also make sure you have the snap link facing in towards the tire, or take a smaller zip tie and put it around the snap link so it can't come un-done.

If any body wants to see what I am talking about .I'll take a picture of my Three wheeler and send it to you

Terry

you have to go really slow or the chains will fly off and rip your fenders apart.

Garage sales are the way to go! I have bought tire chains even when I didn't need them . Always found some one that did . The most I ever paid was about five bucks . Put them on the tire . snug them up and cut the excess off . I also use heavy duty zip tie 's . The kind that heating guys use . Criss cross them . but don't snug the ties to hard . The tire need room to flex.

Most of the tire chains at the garage sales are by far better than the expensive ones you buy for the atv.

A Friend just bought a big polaris last year , I had some tire chains from a garage sale. We installed them and they hold traction great and are a lot heavier than what he was going to get..

I found some old car chains at a garage sale and cut them to fit my 300 foretrax. They work good.

Keep them snug by putting a bungee cord on the outside of the rim.

Fish2 - is the yes for eating up the driveway or easy to get on and off?

Just went out to R & M Motors and bought a pair of chains for my 2001 Honda Foreman ES 4x4 and only costed 46.95 plus 10% off for comming back to them to buy some parts, because I had originally purchased my ATV from them. I love them and so far I was bombing around on the lake and haven't got stuck yet, it will happen though, but they really do help.

SJB,Yes they will