Just so fast, it's almost the "snow season" again. Yes, the summer canopy is coming to an end. In some parts of the United States, the daytime temperature is already as low as 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow is coming soon, guys. Are your equipment ready?

It is important to ensure that the truck is ready to drive safely on snow-filled roads. Moreover, contrary to popular belief, just because the rig has four-wheel drive, there is no guarantee that it will be able to pass these challenging conditions smoothly.

Related: These are the safest trucks you can buy in 2021

That’s right, even the famous 4x4 trucks and SUVs sometimes need help on snowy and icy roads, and tire chains are time-tested equipment that helps improve the grip. The chain should be installed on all four wheels and can only be used on wet roads, because driving on dry roads will damage the tires and dig out the road.

Simply put, the tire chain is actually a metal chain. In most cases, it is tightly fixed on the driving wheel of the truck to help the tire obtain maximum traction on snow, icy roads and highways. When the truck is running or energized, the chain can basically catch hard snow and/or ice and increase the traction of the tires.

Believe it or not, there are many different brands of tire chains to choose from. Which chain is best for four-wheel drive trucks and SUVs?

We have not conducted tests to determine this. However, the lack of scientific data has not prevented us from presenting this Top 5 summary, which is based on Amazon.com's price point and information provided by each manufacturer.

When driving on snow or ice, safety is the most important thing. Please pay attention to your speed (actually you should not exceed 35 mph when driving with tire chains), and of course, as long as the road conditions are bad, please drive with caution.

These are traditional chain-link, self-tightening/auto-ratcheting tire chains that seem to be easy to install (no jacks are required to lift the truck) and no additional tensioners are required. The Auto-Trac chain is all-wheel drive, ABS-compliant, and made of durable manganese steel alloy.

The Glacier device is a galvanized steel cable tied to the tire tread (the technical term is "stepped"), while other brands use a cross/"X" pattern. The old-school design actually reduces excessive noise and vibration.

We like Thule’s tire chains because they seem to be the simplest equipment on the market-comprehensive. The diamond pattern and the unique double "traction plate" are the main highlights of the 12 mm hardened steel alloy chain. There is also a cool wheel protector function, and the chain is protected by a lifetime warranty (defect).

Another Glacier product, this is a direct OG; carbon steel cross-chain device, designed for extreme road and off-road conditions. The chain is equipped with a fastening side cam and includes all the levers and fasteners required for installation.

This is a set of preferred traction aids, which is very suitable for you to need grip in a critical moment. These limited use temporary snow chains are universal and are designed to grab ice, snow and soft soil/sand. The space-saving, ultra-portable stainless steel TPU strap does not require complicated tools or jacks for installation.

The main photo was taken by Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images.

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