Truck & SUV Tire Chains

TireChain.com truck and SUV tire chains are built for pickup trucks, SUVs, 4x4s, work trucks, dually trucks, and commercial winter driving. We size tire chains by the actual tire size printed on your sidewall, not just by the vehicle model, so you can match chains to common sizes such as 265/70R17, 275/65R20, 285/70R17, 245/75R16, 31x10.50-15, and many more.

Since 1989, TireChain.com has supplied tire chains for snow, ice, mountain roads, steep driveways, plow trucks, towing, and winter work use. Use the tire size finder above to select your tire size, then choose the chain style that best matches your driving conditions.

Which Truck Tire Chains Should I Buy?

Best Tire Chains for Pickup Trucks, SUVs, and 4x4s

The best tire chain depends on how and where you drive. For daily winter road use, diamond chains and square link chains are often the best balance of traction, control, and ride quality. For steep icy driveways, mountain roads, farm lanes, and plow trucks, studded or V-bar chains provide more aggressive bite. For occasional use or emergency carry, twisted link chains and cable chains may be a lower-cost option.

For Snow-Covered Roads and Mountain Driving

Diamond tire chains are a strong choice when you want better steering control, braking, and smoother driving on snow-covered roads. The diamond pattern keeps more chain in contact with the tire as the wheel turns, which can reduce the bounce often felt with traditional ladder-style chains.

For Ice, Hills, and Steep Driveways

Studded tire chains and V-bar tire chains are the most aggressive choices for ice and steep grades. They are designed to bite into frozen surfaces where standard link chains may slide. These chains are excellent for plow trucks, mountain properties, icy private roads, and demanding winter work.

Note: Studded and V-bar chains are more aggressive on paved surfaces such as blacktop and concrete. They should be used when maximum traction is more important than smooth ride comfort.

For Blacktop or Concrete Snow Plowing

If you are plowing snow on blacktop or concrete, choose the chain based on how icy the surface gets. Square link and diamond chains are often a good balance for paved snow removal. Studded or V-bar chains offer stronger ice bite, but they are more aggressive and may mark paved surfaces if used harshly or without enough snow/ice cover.

For Load Range E, KO2, Mud-Terrain, and Deep-Lug Tires

Load Range E tires, KO2 tires, mud-terrain tires, and other deep-lug truck tires can fit differently than standard highway tires with the same printed size. The deeper tread and squarer shoulder can require a larger chain fit or minor shortening. When in doubt, it is better for a truck chain to have extra length that can be shortened than to come up too short to install.

How to Find the Right Size Truck Tire Chains

Look at the tire size printed on the sidewall of your tire. Common truck and SUV formats include:

• Metric sizes: 265/70R17, 275/65R18, 275/60R20
• LT sizes: LT245/75R16, LT265/70R17, LT285/70R17
• Flotation sizes: 31x10.50-15, 33x12.50-20, 35x12.50-17
• Commercial sizes: 225/70R19.5, 245/70R19.5, 11R22.5

Enter the tire size into the search tool above to find chains that match your tire. Always check your owner’s manual for tire chain clearance restrictions, especially on newer SUVs, 4x4 trucks, and vehicles with limited wheel-well clearance.

Truck Tire Chain Fit and Installation Tips

• Install tire chains on the drive axle unless your vehicle manual says otherwise.
• For 4WD and AWD vehicles, check the owner’s manual for front or rear chain placement.
• Test fit your chains before the storm so you know they clear brake lines, suspension parts, and fenders.
• Use tire chain tensioners or adjusters to help keep chains centered and tight.
• After installing, drive 50 to 100 yards, stop, and re-tighten the chains.
• Do not drive faster than the chain manufacturer’s recommended speed.

Frequently Asked Questions About Truck & SUV Tire Chains