Spider Bungees Are a Hit

By Midwest Traction on November 15, 2017 in Tips & Advice

Depending on where you're at in the country, tire chains may be a legal requirement. Because each state has their own laws, and some regions have their own separate requirements, always check before traveling to avoid hefty fines.

Maybe you need tire chains for an entire season, maybe for travel, or maybe just in case of an emergency. Before you check out, there's something else you may want to add to your cart: tire chain adjusters. 

Adjusters are a wise co-investment. Their main purpose is to keep the chains snug on the tires; chains can come loose and breakaway, causing damage to your vehicle and making driving unsafe. Adjusters come in a few variations, but first, let's highlight a few key points. 

Cam Locks are Not Adjusters

Cam lock tire chains are typically designed for medium to heavy-duty trucks. They aren't available for many heavy equipment items or lawn and garden tractors. Their purpose? To help snug the chains to your tire during the application process. While they do tighten your chains, they need to be checked, as chains can shift during use.

Adjusters are placed on the rim side of the tire, directly in the center, branching out to multiple anchor points along the tire chain. They serve as a fail-safe should your chain come loose. Their job is to maintain uniform tension across the tire chain while it's in use. Cam locks are not a fail-safe device and will do little to prevent damage to your vehicle should your chains break loose.

But I Drove and Adjusted My Chains as Directed

Good! You're supposed to. During the initial application process, this helps ensure you've properly fitted your chains before you head out on the road. Natural wear over the course of use causes chains to slacken, and ill-fitting chains are the leading cause of tire chain failure. We still highly recommend investing in adjusters as they ensure even wear across the chain. 

Choices, Choices

When adjusters first hit the market, they were rubber and pentagonal or circular in shape. They worked well, but sometimes the rubber stretched and needed to be redone.

Spring adjusters came next. Also pentagonal in shape, these metal adjusters outperformed their rubber predecessors. The disadvantage? Rust can cause springs to break, decreasing their effectiveness. 
 

Spider bungees are the latest tire chain adjuster innovation. Their center circular hub acts as the anchor point for each of the arms (arm number varies by application), to keep even tension on the chain. Customer feedback on spider bungee tire chain adjusters has been overwhelmingly positive; these tire chain adjusters are the new favorite. 

Combo Stretch

Spider bungees utilize both natural and elastomeric rubber. What's that? It's a fancy word for man-made, or synthetic, rubber. Combining the two types gives the rubber a softer, more pliable stretch that's resistant to temperature, tears, and abrasions. 

Precautions

When applying spider bungees, do not overstretch. Protective eyewear is recommended when applying. 

Do I Need Them, Though?

We highly recommend investing in tire chain adjusters. Most passenger and truck adjusters are relatively inexpensive when compared to the cost of vehicle damage caused by a loose tire chain. Even if you're only investing in a set of chains for emergency purposes, it's wise to add the adjusters. Protect yourself from all possible setbacks.

Want to Know More? 

Our YouTube channel has several tire chain installation videos to walk you through the process of applying your chains. Our site has several sizes and types of tire chain adjusters; we encourage you to browse, and if you need help determining which is best for your needs, call our sales team. They'd love to help! 1-855-681-8326

Love your chains? Want to see something else in our store? Tell us on social media!