Tire Chain and Cable Performance Data Revised:
The following information was collected by the Nation Safety Council's Committee in Winter Driving Hazards.
Note: as indicated, according to the tests performed, chains are more efficient when compared to other traction devices. For more information, contact the National Safety Council.
Spinning Traction Ratings:
The below chart illustrates the pulling ability of a variety of different traction products, as tested on glare ice with a front wheel drive vehicle.
Instructions for stopping on snow and ice:
Like any slippery situation, pumping the brakes is the best solution for stopping a vehicle with a standard breaking system. For vehicles with ABS breaking, Do NOT pump the breaks. This is done automatically. Slamming the brakes could lock the wheels, causing the vehicle to swerve, and significantly reducing driver control.
Stopping Distance Ratings
The below chart rates the stopping distance, after brake application, for vehicles with front wheel drive, on glare ice, and driving 20MPH
Minimum Clearances Required for Tire Chains.
Passenger Car and Light Truck
The correct Peerless traction product to recommend is based on wheel well clearance. Newer, front wheel drive cars have a limited degree of wheel well clearance. The specified minimum clearance must always be maintained around the spring clips, fuel lines, braces, brake lines, and all other vital areas.
Good Things to Know:
1. The tire sizes must be know to ensure a correct fit.
2. The SAE Class "S" well clearance is most popular in today's smaller, front wheel vehicles.
3. Some listed sizes may not include the radial dimensions.
For example, 10.00-20 is the same size as 10.00R20, and can be used for both radial and regular tires.
To determine the appropriate clearance, direct your customer to their owner's manual. Every manual provides the correct SAE class rating for that specific vehicle, and with that, the correct traction device can be recommended.
SAE Class S Regular (non-reinforced) passenger tire traction devices for vehicles with restricted wheel well clearance.
SAE Class U Regular (non-reinforced) and lug-reinforced passenger tire traction devices for vehicles with regular (non-restricted) wheel well clearances.
SAE Class W Passenger tire traction devices that use light truck components, as well as some light truck traction devices.
The following table outlines which Peerless Chain traction products are appropriate for
each class.
|
Product Series | Class S | Class U | Class W
|
|
1100 Type PL
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
|
1000 Sno-Trac
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
|
1600 Sno-trac-LT
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
|
1800 Lug
|
|
X
|
X
|
|
2200 Truck
|
|
|
X
|
For your reference, the following table lists the clearance
in inches for each class.
Note: the minimum clearance specified must be maintained around
fenders, struts, brake
lines and braces.
|
SAE Traction Device Class
|
Minimum Tread-Face Clearance (A)
|
Minimum Side-Wall Clearance (B)
|
|
Class S
|
1.46”
|
.59”
|
|
Class U
|
1.97”
|
.91”
|
|
Class W
|
2.50”
|
1.50”
|
After the class rating is determined, you then need to determine the appropriate tire size.