Spikes-Spider ALPINE PRO size AP5 with modified Land Rover Defender wheel bolts

The superb Spikes-Spider ALPINE PRO is designed for the heavier end of the light commercial vehicle market, i.e. for vehicles up to 5 tonnes, where speed and simplicity of fitting is almost as important as chain function. It's no surprise that light commercial drivers tend to run their chains on tarmac much more than other users, because most chains are a pain to have to fit and remove on a frequent basis. This increases the chain wear massively, obviously enough, so in this context the 30 seconds it takes to fit a set of Spikes-Spiders, and the 30 seconds needed to remove them, makes all the difference.

You'll see that the ALPINE PRO includes more metal components than other Spikes-Spider systems, but it shares the same fundamental characteristics as the rest of the range, e.g. the same hub mounting plates, the way in which the chains sit quite loose on the tyres, are self cleaning and will adjust to the frequent changes in tyre shape without straining any components, and the fact that all parts are available as spares. Specific features:

• The 'kink' in the grip plates emulates the perpendicular "grip links" used in very expensive conventional snowchains to provide better traction, better braking and better steering.
• The grip plates are made of galvanized steel and include pressure points for better grip on ice and very hard snow.
• the ALPINE PRO can be resized to fit a large number of tyre sizes by reconfiguring the patented adjusters - once adjusted, a filler unit holds these adjustments in place.
• Suitable for vehicles up to 5 tonnes laden weight

Spare parts and resizing information: Please click here for the spares list, including online ordering. Click here for a list of all the Spikes-Spider parts which you attach to the wheel, e.g. fix-clips, bolts, spacers.

Please note that if you are new to this system you need to order both the Spikes-Spider ALPINE PRO and the hub mounting kit; both these items are pre-ticked in the order section at the bottom of this page. Land Rover Defender modifications:

It's not possible to fit Spikes-Spider chains to Land Rover Defenders in the standard way, because these use wheel nuts with a 27mm hex size, and the largest Spikes-Spider fix clips are 24mm. The solution is to modify a set of Original Equipment Defender wheel nuts by tapping threads into them and then using these as a foundation for fixing the Spikes-Spider hub plates.

You need to order at least 4 modified wheel nuts for each wheel; if you have locking wheel nuts, leave these in place.

A 17mm brass adapter (internal part no. SPX17M10M8-1) will be supplied with each wheel nut ordered.

Overview of fitting procedure (see pictures showing wheel nuts):

• Picture 1 - Replace at least 4 of the 5 wheel nuts on each wheel; if you have locking wheel nuts, leave them in place
• Picture 2 - Screw a brass adapter into each wheel nut and tighten using the torque tool provided
• Picture 3 - You need to allow 17mm extra because there is no fix clip; on these steel wheels each wheel nut required a 17mm brass adapter, a 17mm short adapter, a nylon washer, a long bolt.
• Picture 3 again - Use the slots marked 5, whether fitting 4 nuts or 5 nuts

Fitting and removal tips:

• Use the spare tyre to decide how to resize the chains prior to first use
• Optimum adjustment is when you can comfortably slide 4 fingers between tyre and chain
• Try and adjust each quarter of the chain evenly, but fine-tuning may well be possible in one quarter only - no worries about this
• The back stopper pieces should be fitted from the inside of the chain, i.e. with the long smooth side against the tyre. We find that using the torque tool handle to lever each one into approximate position, and then giving it a couple of taps with a hammer, is the quickest and easiest way to fit them. (They are easily popped out again with the torque tool handle.)
• Place the chains over the top of the wheels with the traction arms at 10 to 2. If you find it at all difficult to fit the locking disk, move the wheel a half revolution (i.e. move the vehicle) and then push the remaining chain onto the top of the wheel
• If you find it's difficult to pull out the red release handle of the locking disk, move it (usually anti-clockwise) a few millimetres, and then pulling out the release handle will be very easy

We're also showing you a range of other winter motoring products which we're selling here at market leading prices, including a snow and ice windscreen protector, a telescopic snow shovel, and a snow brush - all of these items are almost essential kit for winter weather, especially we suggest the snow brush..