MTFCA Forum

In my part of the country T's wore tire chains for 9 months of the year-- either for mud or ice. Any idea where i would find a set of chains-- either new or old? (21" wheels) It seems like there should be a pair in every barn, but I've only seen one set for sale and that was a couple of years ago.

I just really want to know what it feels like to scoot around in the snow with a T. Do any of you have snow driving experience with your T?

My dad said that as a teenager he used to wrap a dog chain around the tires between the spokes of a T. He maintained that the T’s tall skinny tires with chains would go as many places as later 4wd trucks.

Arthur,
Many of those barns were cleaned of “junk” during the scrap drives of WWII. Dad also said MANY vehicles and antique tractors were DRIVEN into the local scrap drives as well. It sickened me to see what was being scrapped during the height of scrap prices starting 2008. We had some huge yards in Wisconsin and I saw a beautiful Unstyled JD-B complete with mounted cultivators on one load going down the x-way…….on its way to China.

I use tire chains on my 26's 21 inch tires. I found them on ebay by searching for Model A tire chains. I think I paid $75.00.

I'm fortunate to live on miles on gravel roads, so I can drive the T regularly in the Northern Michigan winters without road salt being an issue. It pulls right along with the chains.

I have never found any T-size chains, nor seen any offered for sale. Rich Eagle has in past years played extensively in the snow with his Ts. I hope he'll post to this thread.

My memories and experiences with tire chains tell me the T chains probably wore out and were variously discarded. Like sleigh bells in an earlier era, the winter sounds of a cross-chain come loose and beating on a fender was a common sound on snow-covered roads of my youth.

One thing you might do to go play in the snow is to get a goodly length of 3/4" sisal rope and wrap your rear tires with it. It has much to recommend it, as it won't dent your fenders or damage something if it comes loose. I know Rich E. has done this, he can tell you how effective it is.

Have fun, and good luck !! I'm gonna curl up by the fire with a "hot toddy" and look forward to your pix !!

About 15 years ago I ran into the same issue and decided to make my own tire chains by buying a few components online and chain locally.

You can get the "cross chain hooks" and "side chain fasteners" online from places like Harriscos.

When I made the set for my speedster the cross chains were short enough so that the chain going around the side sat on the sidewall of the tire and didn't hit the rim.

I used a twisted chain going across the tire and straight link chain to go along the side link in the photo.

I did not use the chain for the snow as much as I did for off roading in gravel.

It made a few places I couldn't climb before the chains passable once they were installed, and made a big difference on steep down hills grades where the car would just skid instead of stop.

I was going to suggest making some as well. I would be willing to make up some sets at a modest profit if enough interest was shown. Assuming mostly 21” and 23” tires? I have already looked into sizing and sourcing for the 20” and 23” TT rears.

I use 5/8 rope wraped around tire through wood spokes and tied off to a spoke. No damage to wood or paint. Works in mud and snow. This was last summer at a monster truck show. Yup the T was part of the show on field.

I have a set of 30x3.5 tire chains that are still in the original bag. I don't think that they have ever been used. I have no idea what they are worth. Ant ideas.

Art Mirtes

Fifty years ago, our local model T club did an annual run up to the snow in conjunction with a couple other local antique automobile clubs! My first year I chanced it without chains, and had some fun, but really needed the chains. So before the next year, I went to the local Goodwill store and bought a bunch of used small size modern car chains. I then cut and spliced bits and pieces into chains to fit my model T. I still have them, but it has been years since I have used them.

I should add, that there are certain rules about which way certain kinds of chain links MUST face otherwise the sharp edges of certain types of links WILL cut into and destroy your tires!
As easy as it is to make your own? It isn't something to be done carelessly!

Hope this loads.
Stan Howe and I having fun in the December snow.
https://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/1 ... 1323431973

Last year we had one day with about 8 inches of snow. Had a blast driving around in it. No plows and no salt because it was 1/1/2022. I had to help a young lady driving a Fiesta get around a hill. I drove right up it, and she had to follow me to a less steep hill on a different route. I saw no need for chains or ropes. Dallas has the right idea with the rope. Much safer on your spokes and tires. Another friend screwed about 100 flange head screws in each of his rear tires and did not get a flat.

Can you get tire studs to put in tires yourself ? Will the antique tires tolerate them?

Running on pavement will destroy chains in short order. Around 50 years ago, snow removal around these parts began to be efficient enough that most streets in town and main highways were bare more often than not. If you needed chains to navigate snow covered county roads this meant removing and replacing them for a trip to town. Studded snow tires were offered to avoid the inconvenience, giving added traction on ice. The highway department found that the studs caused inordinate wear to road surfaces and decreed they could be used from Nov. 15 through Apr. 15 only. Personally, I could never see they were worth using. They certainly do not perform well enough to take the place of chains when chains are needed. In later years, improved tire designs, front wheel drive, all-wheel drive and traction control have eliminated their use. I haven't seen them around in years. If one found some, and the tools used to install them, I would think it inadvisable to install them in "antique" tires.

A side note on chains - they need to be installed loose enough to "crawl" around the circumference of the tire when in motion. Too tight, and the cross chains will cut across the tire tread where they sit. Another aspect, chains limit one's speed to 25-30 mph, not an issue for a Model T, or when you really need them, but annoys other drivers if you have to go any distance on bare pavement.

I'd go with the rope, if anything at all. If you lack passengers or cargo, a couple of hundred pound sacks of coarse, dry sand or cat litter in the back would improve traction and could be used to get out of a tight spot.

I used to have an original set of "Rid-O-Skid" 30x3.5 tire chains in the original burlap bag, but I sent them to Strong's Garage in Canada (check out their Youtube channel).

If you do manage to find an original set of chains for 30x3.5 tires, be aware that they may be too small to fit on the currently available "oversize" tires, which are nominally 31x4.0 size.

There is some slight variation in tire diameter by brand.

I made my chains 40+ years ago. I modified two sets of chains using pieces on one to lengthen the other. I have no idea what size I used. I was just a kid! I usually use rubber straps for tension, but use these yellow modern chain tighteners last week. My chains work fine with either 30x3-1/2 or 21/440.
Steve, I really like your chains!

Drving a Model T with chains on is the most fun you can have with your clothes on!

I use to own a towing company and we always ended up with stuff out of wrecked or abandoned cars and chains is something we got a lot of, so my suggestion is to talk to a local tow company or wrecking yard, get a pile of chains and a pair of chain repair pliers and make your own.