Tirechains.com - Anyone else have such a bad experience with customer service?

[Gypsy Rose]

You CAN overstretch a spring to the point of losing the coil and you can do that with any coil spring, regardless of quality.

Agreed, but in my case I stretched the spring no more than an inch or inch and a half. I was quite shocked to see the spring simply remain in the extended position. One tug by hand was all it took. Seems somewhat contradictory to the installation instructions that advise that the springs should be installed as tight as possible.

 

[Scotty370]

GypsyRose- I've been guilty of citing Tirechains.com, only through surfing, and comparing prices from JD. I've never purchased from them, but thought they had a wide variety of sizes that I thougt people might be interested in. If their only downfall is the 'cheap' springs, I'd just go to the local hardware store and pick some up for a couple bucks! If the chain itself is faulty, guess you got a case. As for the "China" thing, what do "We" make anymore? Sad....................... ~Scotty

 

[DickS]

I bought a set from tirechains.com for my BX 24 and have them installed without springs. Never had a problem, but then a sub compact tractor can hardly be considered as a test bed. Strangely enough, the instructions and pictures provided for the installation of the lock-back hook on the end of the chain were in error. I sent them an e-mail about it and they thanked me for noticing it. They said they would change it but I don't know if they ever did.

 

[ChuckinNH]

One thing to bear in mind is that off-road tires of differing brands and like tread styles can and do vary in overall circumference, sometimes by quite a bit. There will be instances when new chains from any source need some modification to fit properly. The worst thing a supplier can do is ship a set of chains too short to fit at all. Anyone fitting chains to partially worn tires should plan for the eventual replacement of those tires and not cut the side links too short.

What you say is true, but R-4 tires for CUT's can't vary too much in diameter because of the need to maintain front / rear relationships for the 4wd. I can see maybe 6" on the large side, and as much on the small side of a new tire. I needed to go two more links on the small side with new R-4's, and that was all I could get without moving two more cross chains. I did have a foot, and a half of extra chain though in case the next tires are that much larger.

 

[RickB]

What you say is true, but R-4 tires for CUT's can't vary too much in diameter because of the need to maintain front / rear relationships for the 4wd.

Neither R-4's or CUT's are unique in that regard. Variations in size among identical size and type of tire is a fact of life.

 

[Gypsy Rose]

If their only downfall is the 'cheap' springs, I'd just go to the local hardware store and pick some up for a couple bucks!.................... ~Scotty

That's what I've done. My biggest complaint was not about the springs but about the non-existent customer service and the worry that the poor quality evident in the springs might exist in the chains, too. Time will tell how the chains hold up . . . For better or worse, they're all mine now without any support from tirechains.com.

Best,
Kevin

 

[gerard]

Agreed, but in my case I stretched the spring no more than an inch or inch and a half. I was quite shocked to see the spring simply remain in the extended position. One tug by hand was all it took. Seems somewhat contradictory to the installation instructions that advise that the springs should be installed as tight as possible.

I agree - they shouldn't stretch out that bad with an 1 1/2 inch stretch. Maybe they screwed up the tempering process for a batch of springs? Not sure of the exact process but I know "spring" steel only gets that way after a type of heat/cold treatment to "set" the memory.

 

[ovrszd]

I disagree with the whole tensioner thing, but that is separate from a customer service problem. I have dealt with tire chains on tractors for 40 of my 52 years. If the chains are properly installed, you don't need any springs, bungees, or other stuff to keep the chains on. Put them on as tight as possible, zip tie or wire down the loose ends of the side chains, and go.

I agree. I honestly don't get the idea of tensioners?? I run a JD770D road grader with 17.5x24 tire chains on four tires, no tensioners, run 15mph for hours and hours with no problems. Put the chains on properly and throw the tensioners in the "misc parts bin" for other uses.

I put these chains on by hand with only the use of a pair of pliers, how do they look??

 

[beenthere]

I disagree with the whole tensioner thing, but that is separate from a customer service problem. I have dealt with tire chains on tractors for 40 of my 52 years. If the chains are properly installed, you don't need any springs, bungees, or other stuff to keep the chains on. Put them on as tight as possible, zip tie or wire down the loose ends of the side chains, and go.

I'm with Rick on this. These ideas for needing any tension seem to spring up with chains that don't fit the tire, or not put on properly.

Having chains that have just enough slack to move a bit will keep them from being caught in the lugs too.

I have had only good experiences with Tirechains.com. Both with the chains and with customer service. Sorry to hear about the spring problem.

 

[beenthere]

ovrszd

They look great and not surprised you did that with just pliers.

And am envious of you getting to drive that rig. (but 'spose that gets a little much when the big snows come). Better dump that load off the V plow