Posted By: Admin | Date: 19-12-2014

Wheel chocks are available in a variety of styles and sizes. If you have not purchased wheel chocks in the past, it can be quite confusing to decide which type of chocks are best for your specific needs. In choosing wheel chocks, it is important to understand that the basic purpose of the wheel chock is to prevent sudden movement of a tire, thus putting a vehicle in motion and putting nearby workers or property at risk. A wheel chock works against gravity to keep the tire stationary.

The size of the tire on which the chocks will be used is the basic guideline for determining the correct size of chock. Therefore, the first step is to measure the height of the tires on the relevant vehicle. Ideally, the correct wheel chock should be about 1/4 of the tire's height. This means that if the vehicle has 36-inch tires, the wheel chock should be about 9 inches in height. This should allow the chock to fit securely under the tire.

Along with the size of the tire, it is also important to consider the grade of the terrain on which the vehicle will be parked when choosing appropriate chocks. Grade refers to the angle of the terrain. Although a chock should be about ¼ of the tire's height, you may also find that you need more than one chock. For instance, if you are parked on a steep incline, the wheel chocks should be sufficiently large enough to ensure that they will hold the vehicle in neutral. In this situation, you will need at least two chocks.

The owner's manual of the vehicle may also provide guidance regarding the type and number of wheel chocks that should be used. For example, in the case of a tractor-trailer, the manual may recommend the use of chocks for the front and rear tires in the case of potential brake failure. It should further be kept in mind that even if the vehicle is parked on level ground, wheel chocks are still a necessity, as there is still a danger that the vehicle might roll forward.