tire chains too long...

[jimb1724]

happy new year all

i am putting on my new v-bar ladder tire chains on my ck 20.... the rear tires are 12x16.5. i drapped the first set over the tire and find that the overall length of the chains is quite a bit long. two of the cross sections are actually right next to each other, without pulling the chains tight.

my questions: can i / should i just cut off the last cross section to shorten the overall lenght ?

and is this normal ? has anyone else had to cut them down to length ? if so, any recommendations on what to use to cut them ? these chains are pretty rugged.....

thanks to all for the input...

regards,
jim

 

[Egon]

You should be able to cut them.

Hacksaw, reciprocating saw, torch, angle grinder and bolt cutters should all work.

 

[hdbikercouple]

and the old stand by hammer and chiesl. just watch your fingers

 

[zzvyb6]

You could just buy bigger tires and save all the money from the cutting tools, hospital bills for burned fingers, metal object in eyeball, jack dropped on foot, and of course, tow truck fee for pulling out of snow drift when chains don't work cause they are in the tread grooves instead of on the periphery.

 

[jimb1724]

You could just buy bigger tires and save all the money from the cutting tools, hospital bills for burned fingers, metal object in eyeball, jack dropped on foot, and of course, tow truck fee for pulling out of snow drift when chains don't work cause they are in the tread grooves instead of on the periphery.

ok, ok i get the drift....

i think i'll check with tirechain.com on monday to make sure they sent the right size BEFORE i start hurting, i mean cutting......

they do advertise all chains are exact size for each tire.....

 

[vic4news]

ok, ok i get the drift....

i think i'll check with tirechain.com on monday to make sure they sent the right size BEFORE i start hurting, i mean cutting......

they do advertise all chains are exact size for each tire.....

I just put on chains I ordered from tirechains.com and had to remove one
cross chain. In the installation instructions they state that the chains may
be too long and explain how to remove a cross chain. Here is the link
TIRE CHAINMOUNTING INSTRUCTIONS

I put chains on my rear R4 tires and it made a huge difference in traction.

Vic

 

[Hammy]

vic4news,

What chains did you get. I just ordered the duo-grip v-bars for my front and rears but I'm a little concerned about the large gap they have. Any thoughts?

Craig

 

[vic4news]

vic4news,

What chains did you get. I just ordered the duo-grip v-bars for my front and rears but I'm a little concerned about the large gap they have. Any thoughts?

Craig

I think that the duo-grip v-bars would be good. I would have gone with that
style, but they didn't offer them for my size rear tires. I went with the 2 link
ladder chains on my R4 tires and the difference in traction was amazing.

Vic