Best Tire Chains For Your ATV | Hunt or Shred

Looking for the best ATV tire chains? Read on as this article takes you through some of the most in-demand options that you can get today. 

After careful analysis, we narrowed down our favorites to the Sedona Tire Chains, the Trac V Chains, and the Two-Link Traction Chains. This list intends to introduce options that fit all kinds of ATV riders. 

That said, it's also possible that the tire chains we’ve listed in this article don't seem to catch your eye, but the one thing that does is the process I follow to list the best options in the market today. Out of all the qualities that a tire chain can have, the ones I’ve managed to list are sturdy and are all-coated with a protective powder that ensures they last long. While getting them on to your tire may be confusing in some cases, they will last long. 

The tire chains I’ve listed in this article are some of the most highly rated and best-selling items you'll find online. More importantly, they’ve been reviewed by people who have used these chains in all kinds of conditions and they’ve managed to stand firm in the harshest of weather conditions. I assure you, they will perform well in your particular use case, too.  

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Sedona Tire Chains

These chains are perfect for those intensity sessions and have performed well on UTVs and ATVs. The prime reason these chains are highly revered is that you can get them at a comparatively low price while expecting the same high-end quality. They're one of the best options in the market, and it's almost hard to believe they're so affordable. 

The steel that has been used on these chains is premium, and they do a good job of gripping services they should be gripping (ice and snow). These chains are available in four different sizes, so you're going to find one for your ATV. The cleats on the chain have been intentionally built to be durable in the harshest conditions, which means that they're not going to lose their shape even after years of use. This is also one of the reasons why this chain has become a favorite for people who usually ride their ATVs on a slippery surface. 

The chain weighs approximately 18 pounds and has a D-sized chain that can fit both ATV and UTV tires. The V-bar is 10 inches, and it'll give you ample traction. This is the toughest V-bar that you can get for some riders, period. You're not going to see a lot of damage which is also why these chains are usually used in areas with thick snowfall. It's almost like the manufacturers paid special attention to the longevity of these chains.

Trac V-Chains

This is one option from the Security Chain Company, and it has become one of the most popular options in the market today. This chain outperforms its competitors quite significantly, whether it is a customer's feedback or sales numbers. At this point, this chain has an average rating of 4.4 on Amazon, and out of all the ratings it has received, 66% of them are 5-star. Trust me; people can be brutal on Amazon, and seeing a product performing this well is truly a sight to behold. 

One of the best parts is that these chains come in a pair which saves you money, too. You're going to find them in a wide range of sizes, and you can check out all of them on Amazon using the link above. You must get the right size since the right size can be the difference between a tire that grips well and one that makes the ride harder than it has to be. Since the chain is made from metal, you already know that it will be durable. It's plated with zinc which also adds an extra layer of longevity. Essentially, this hard-to-find coating of zinc gives the tire improved adhesion, precisely what an ATV rider wishes for when riding their bike in icy and snowy conditions. Moreover, let's not forget that zinc protects your bike from rust, too. 

The chain is going to provide excellent traction for your ATV's tire in almost every condition you're in. But if it doesn't, you can improve its performance by getting the two-link spacing option rather than the fours; that said, there will be a price hike because of this. 

If you had to pick one tire chain set, this would be the best overall choice in our book.

Two-Link Traction Chains

These two-link chains are a high-performing option that can get you wherever you want to go, even if it's a frozen lake! Since it's a two-link model, this means that it has double the number of V-links that you'll find on a regular 4-link chain. These are built for those radical off-roading specialists and those intense ice fishers. You can go through mud, snow, and ice with these chains, but I wouldn't recommend using the same chains on concrete pavement or asphalt. 

If you're on the ice, the sturdy design on this chain will push into the ice and make for you as you ride through the surface. Trying to find the spot where the fish are falling for the bait? Opt for these chains – they're built for that purpose. The two-link bar also means that you have a smoother ride. However, one potential downside of these chains is that since they're two-link chains, they do an incredibly good job of gripping – and yes, that's a con. Steering can be difficult!

Grizzlar Diamond Chains

These chains have diamond studs and patterns welded into the links on each chain. This gives these ice chains ample traction on those icy tracks. Whether it's an ice-covered lake or heavy snowfall, your ATV will perform alright while wearing these shoes. These chains are built from hardened and long-lasting steel, which has a chain tensioner. This makes it easier to make a tight fit when you're installing these chains onto your tire. 

These diamond chains from Grizzlar fit the OEM tires from several popular brands that make tires for ATVs. Like every other option on this list, you're going to find them in several different sizes, making them an option you can get without a lot of consideration. What makes them different is – you guessed it – the diamonds on the links. With an added element like this, the chain can put more force into the surface it is on, unlike any two or four-chain that you can get today. Since the tire inserts several studs into the surface, the chain provides significant traction on those uncertain icy surfaces.

The studs on the chains will complement the extreme design of your ATV, and unlike other options that have side-links that can make steering difficult, it isn't with these chains. You can easily stop, make quick turns, or enjoy the ride a lot more since you'll have better traction when you're turning your ATV. Even though the steel these chains are built from is hard and heavy, it may also rust easily. If only these were built from an alloy of Manganese – they'd be stronger, rust-resistant, and lighter, too. 

The Kolpin Tire Chains

These chains have a conventional v-bar formation and are among the most reputable tire chains you can find in the market today. It's rare to find an ATV chain in the market that comes in an easy-to-carry case, but these chains from Kolpin are available in a briefcase-like cover. In this case, it will be a lot easier to store them. The 5002 model has the "B" size, which is easily one of the most common ATV chains, and would fit most of the ATV tires in the market today. 

They provide stability on those snowy surfaces and give you a smooth ride which is uncommon when you're riding with chains on your tires on an icy surface. It also has a nine-inch V-block that has been crossed together to form a certain design that can easily penetrate through ice and snow to create a firm grip on the surface. These chains weigh approximately fifteen pounds, and they'll fit easily onto your tires without requiring a lot of labor. 

Kimpex ATV Diamond Chains

If you live in a part of town that sees a lot of snowfall, it may make a thick layer of snow in which a conventional ATV chain may not perform well. This is why, yet again, there are other diamond chain options that you can get from Kimpex. Even though they are one of the most expensive options on this list, the superb feedback they've received from several people compelled me to put the Kimpex ATV Diamond Chains on this list. 

They have a 5-star feedback ratio of 78%, which gives them an overall rating of 4.7 out of 5 on Amazon, which is amazing. What makes these chains stand out is the unique pattern of their chain. Rather than using several crossing chains connected by two chains on the sides of the tire, the chains have been arranged in a diamond-like pattern. While it may seem ineffective on snow, many positive reviews suggest a different story. These increase the tire's traction. 

The studded portions of the chain can provide added traction in thick snowy areas and ensure that your ATV stays stable and on the most slippery surfaces. Moreover, the unique diamond arrangement also helps in increasing the friction between the tire and the surface, which, in turn, gives you better maneuverability over your vehicle. Another factor that adds to the enhanced traction abilities of these chains is that the area between the cross chains is as small as it can be. On top of that, they're also zinc-coated, which makes them last longer compared to other options. 

That said, they are also one of the heaviest options on this list since they weigh approximately 35 pounds. Just remember to keep them off pavements and asphalt.

How To Install Tire Chains

The Fitting Process Required for Every Chain

So now that you know which chain to get for your ATV, you must know how to fit the chain onto your ATV. Several riders can feel lost at this point because even though Amazon ratings may tell them which chain to get, figuring out this part on your own can be a hassle. But that's okay since there's no such thing as too much knowledge about ATV chains – the more you know, the better. For starters, you should start noting down the dimensions of your tires. 

Ensure you're noting down their proper length, height, and breadth. This will ensure you've bought the right-sized chain for your ATV. However, if some chains don't fit, you can also consider getting an ATV tensioner to fit the chain perfectly. Consider following this process:

Parking and Deflating

First and foremost, you need to park your ATV in a spacious area where you can work on the tires. I would recommend that you pick a smooth surface like a driveway, a garage, or even your backyard can work as well. If you don't have access to any of these spots, you can also install chains on a grass field inside of a forest. Keep your vehicle on neutral but make sure that the brakes for parking are still working. 

Now, start deflating your ATV's tire. To do this, push down the pin on the valve. Deflate your tire by four or five PSIs. You can also use a valve stem removal tool to make the process easier.

Dragging the Chain

Now lay the chain you're installing flat on the surface behind the vehicle's rear tire. For the frontal tires, you'll lay the chains in the front. The cross-chain hooks of the chain and the studs should be facing upwards. On some models, you may find a boomer fastener on each end of the chain without a c-hook, while on others, you'll find a boomer fastener on one end and a c-hook on the other. 

Ideally, you'd want to orient the chain in a way so that the c-hook is facing the tire. 

Drag the Chain Over the Tires

You'll find it easier to do this if you keep the chain straight while pulling it over the tire. You can also lift the chain from the side onto the tire. It's practically only a matter of preference. Once you've put it over the tire, drape it towards the center and let the chain hang from each side of the tire. 

Roll the Tire

Now release the brakes of the ATV and let the tire spin. Now, as you push the tire back and forth, you'll have to adjust the chain onto the wheel. Continue adjusting the chain until at least 15 inches are behind the tire. 

Connect the Side Chains

In this step, it's essential to ensure that both the outer and the inner chains are the same length. If one side is being shorter, it will be comparatively tighter, which will drag the chain towards the tighter side. Now grab the 15-inch end of the chain hanging loose and lift it against the other end hanging on the frontal part of the tire. This way, you're going to connect the side chains around the tire. 

Try to get the chain as tight as possible while ensuring it stays positioned in the center of the tire. Ensure that nothing gets twisted. Once done, reinflate the tires. If the tires cannot reach their full capacity, deflate and loosen up the chains. Even when you're done with the process, you may still have to readjust the chains to find the perfect fit. 

About THE AUTHOR

Harry

Harry

29 years old. I'm from Texas. I've been riding ATV's for the last couple years here in TX. I'm learning a lot about this hobby right along side you.

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