How to Determine if the Tires are Different or Snow Tire Chains are Different for 265/75R16 Tires

Updated 11/29/2011 | Published 11/27/2011

Products Featured in This Question

pewag Brenta C Tire Chains - Diamond Pattern - Square Links - Assisted Tensioning - 1 Pair

(12)

$258.69

Glacier Tire Chain Tensioners for 16-1/2" to 19" Rims - Rubber - 1 Pair

(218)

$18.27

Question:

I bought chains for my GMC Sierra. 265/75/R16. Heres my problem: One chain fits great..nice and tight and the other is completely loose. I checked to make sure both chains are the same size they are. 60 links long and 12 wide and I also double checked the tires..as in all 4 the same they are. The tire wear seems even thru-out . Any thoughts?

asked by: Fred S

Expert Reply:

It sounds like you are covering most of the bases here. If all of the tires on your truck are 265/75R16 tires and the chains have the same number of side links and cross links and the side and cross links are the same size, then the only other things that could be an issue are proper inflation of the tires, the tire brand or manufacture date being different.

Check the inflation of your tires, and the brand and model of the tires first and if these check out. If so, check the manufacture date between the tire that the chains fit on and the tire the chains are loose on. The manufacture date is located at the end of the DOT number near the bead area of the tire. The last 4 digits will be the week and year of manufacture. An example would be 1111, which is the 11th week of the year 2011. If these match or are very close then the tire is most likely not the issue.

Next, I would attempt to install the chain that fits on the tire that the other chain is not fitting on, and vice versa. If one chain is tight on both tires and the other chain is loose on both tires then you know that one chain is longer than the other and you will either need to shorten it or get it replaced for a chain that fits correctly.

Finally, you could use a set of Glacier Rubber Adjusters, # PW99, to help keep the chains tight on your tires, if the loose chain is only slightly larger than the tighter one.

expert reply by: Robert G