Navigating Winter Roads: Understanding Tire Chain Laws in Every State

March 4, 2024

As winter blankets the landscape with a pristine layer of snow, the allure of snowy adventures and picturesque landscapes beckons many to hit the road. However, winter driving conditions can be challenging, with icy roads and slippery surfaces posing a threat to even the most seasoned drivers. To enhance safety on winter roads, many states…

Traction Expert Spotlight: Meet Teague Rakoz

December 13, 2023

In many parts of the country, where winter is met by hazardous road conditions, navigating slippery terrain demands more than just caution—drivers require reliable traction. At Laclede Chain, we understand the crucial role we play as your traction partner to stock your shelves to help your customers live and work securely.   Our dedicated traction…

Finding Traction During a Snow Plow Shortage

January 31, 2022

Staying Safe During the Snow Plow Shortage  In any given year, winter weather is challenging enough. Regardless of what it looks like outside, we have places to go, and things to accomplish. With the growing snow plow shortages across the country, getting where you need to go is becoming an even bigger challenge—and risk. With…

Traction Chain 101: Driving in a Winter Wonderland

December 2, 2021

Winter is just around the corner and with it comes adverse weather conditions including driving challenges on snowy and icy roads.  To safely get to where you need to go, you need your tires to grip the road and that’s why it’s good to have traction chains as part of your vehicle safety kit for…

Tire Chains and Tire Chain Alternatives: Which Is Right For You?

October 26, 2020

No matter what type of vehicle you operate, winterizing your vehicle is a best practice. As colder weather approaches, checking fluid levels, tire treads, and the condition of wiper blades are often on drivers’ lists of things to do. It’s also never too early in the season to evaluate your traction equipment—and ensure you’ve got…

Your Tire Chain Questions, Answered

November 21, 2019

When can I use tire chains in my state? In many states, the general rule is that tire chains may be used for safety when snow and/or icy conditions are present, but are not required. However, some states have more stringent regulations for when tire chains can, or must, be used.  California has complex requirements…

Tire Chain Specs: Know the Differences

August 13, 2019

Across the traction chain industry, products are classified into two general categories: NACM (National Association of Chain Manufacturers) series products and non-NACM products. NACM products include many traction chains that are constructed in a ladder style configuration. They generally follow a universal stock numbering sequence for each product type. NACM specifications outline dimensional guidelines such…

How To ID Your Alpine Series Tire Chain

January 7, 2017

Need to figure out which stock # of Alpine Series chains you have?  The process is easy: 1) When you have the chains laid out in front of you, locate the red draw chain. 2) On one end of the draw chain is a black rubber tightener, on the other end is a flat, golden,…

NEW TIRE CHAIN PRODUCTS

November 4, 2016

We have several new products now available for the 2014-15 season: In the accessories line we have a new series of arm type tire chain tighteners for Passenger, Light Truck & SUV and Heavy Truck applications.  The arm design features a fixed center ring with individual rubber tensioning arms for a snug fit.  The arm…

How is Chain Made?

July 29, 2016

Our chain starts as rod made to our exacting requirements from American steel mills.  Each coil is inspected, labeled, and tracked through our factory via our data network.  The rod will be cleaned and drawn into an exact wire diameter, then stored ahead of the chain making departments. Chain is produced in small groups of…

Stay Prepared for Winter Driving – Carry Tire Chains

February 13, 2016

Driving in snow and ice can get the best of all of us so whether it is getting your vehicle out of deep snow, decreasing stopping distance or dramatically improving overall handling tire chains can be a lifesaver.  Even with four-wheel drive tire chains enhance handling and traction for acceleration and braking.  There are plenty…

Laclede’s Alpine Series – A Winning Formula For Premium Tire Chains

October 23, 2015

From standard ladder pattern chains to cables to hoop style and a host of others, snow chains come in a surprising variety of flavors.  The features, benefits, advantages and trade offs with each type can vary widely.  Our concept with the Alpine series tire chains was to combine a plethora of key ingredients into one…

Tire Chains Prohibited? Not True!

October 3, 2015

As with Bigfoot we’re not entirely sure where the myths and rumors originated, nor what keeps them going, but for some reason there are persistent misconceptions and myths that tire chain use is illegal in certain states.  In all of the research we have done and to the best of our current understanding the usage…

LET’S GET STARTED

September 25, 2015

Welcome to Laclede Chain’s brand new company blog – thanks for checking us out!  We look forward to sharing more of Laclede’s story here, including what makes our chain products unique and better.  We’ll be talking about the different types of tire chains, usage tips and a host of other topics with some weather chat…