Availability of Snow Chains For a 2010 Ford F-150

Question:

There is very limited clearance in my ford f-150 2010 truck at the front tires for tire chains. The owners manual says not to use them, but does refer to SEA class S chains to be used. Will the Glacier V-Bar Snow Tire Chains with Cam Tighteners for Light Trucks give me enough clearance so that I will damage my truck on the front and/or back tires?

asked by: Jared V

Expert Reply:

If your vehicle owners manual specifies that you should not use snow chains on the your 2010 Ford F-150, then I would recommend following the instructions in your owners manual. When Ford says no snow chains they also mean snow cables, unless they specify that cables are okay.

Using snow chains or cables on the your 2010 Ford F-150, would not be recommended by Ford because either it will cause damage to the vehicle, or there is not enough clearance in the wheel wells for snow chains to be attached around the tires.

Many newer vehicles require SAE Class S chains which mean the chain can be no larger than 15mm for side wall clearance on the vehicle. The sidewall clearance is needed so that the snow chains will clear any part of the vehicle that is close to the inner and outer sidewall of the tire.

If Ford specifies you can use SAE Class S snow chains you will then need to look up your size of tire and find the snow chain or cable that will have a clearance of 15 mm or less.

The Glacier V-Bar Snow Tire Chains with Cam Tighteners for Light Trucks, part # PWH2828SC, is not a Class S snow chain because it has a clearance of 20 mm.

If you have a tire size of 265/70R17, the Glacier Cable Snow Tire Chains, part # PW3027C, has a clearance of 15 mm, but does not include the rubber adjusters. The rubber adjusters you would need is the Glacier Rubber Adjusters, part # PW99.

I am including a link to a FAQ page on snow chains.