Buying guide for Best wheel chocks
Wheel chocks are simple tools that are easy to use, but choosing the right design is crucial to keeping your vehicle in place. They use basic physics, with the traditional wedge shape of a chock creating an inclined plane. As a result, the tire — and your vehicle — stays in one spot.
Since they immobilize a vehicle, wheel chocks are used by car and RV owners as well as commercial vehicle operators. For personal vehicles, wheel chocks come in handy when you are changing a tire, working under a car, or securing your RV on the campground. Commercial vehicle operators, like truckers, often chock their wheels to keep the truck in one place while loading and unloading cargo.
If securing your personal or commercial vehicle is a priority, then it’s time to invest in quality wheel chocks that provide stability and safety.
Key considerations
How to use wheel chocks
To make your experience using wheel chocks a safe one, it’s important to understand the basics. Generally speaking, wheel chocks come in pairs to immobilize two wheels at a time. When you place the chocks against the tire, you’ll need to center them snugly against each tire. There should be the same amount of space on either side of the chock.
If you’re not sure where to place the chocks, keep in mind you want to prevent your vehicle from rolling — so you need to determine which way the slope angles. Place a pair of chocks at the front tires if there is a downhill slope. Conversely, if there is an uphill slope, place the chocks behind the rear wheels.
Choosing the right chocks for your vehicle
When it comes to choosing wheel chocks, you’ll need to know both the tire size as well as the vehicle weight. It’s strongly recommended to defer to your vehicle’s manufacturer for accurate information.
For the most part, wheel chock compatibility is broken down into three main size categories. Some wheel chock manufacturers provide easy to navigate compatibility tables, whereas others simply list the recommended weight capacity and tire size. Generally speaking, manufacturers will identify chocks by compatible sizes, though you’ll need to do your research in the product descriptions to determine what they consider to be a small, large, or commercial vehicle size.
Small and mid-sized vehicles: Depending on the size of your car or SUV, it could be classified as a small or mid-size vehicle based on its weight. On average, cars and smaller SUVs weigh between 3,000 and 4,000 pounds. Tire size doesn’t vary drastically between these vehicles, though you should be mindful of tire size if you have special or sport tires on your vehicle since they are often wider.
Large vehicles: Larger SUVs, commercial vans, and some work trucks are considered large vehicles. They typically weigh between 4,000 and 6,000 pounds. Unlike regular cars, tires on these vehicles vary quite a bit, so take note of their measurements when choosing chocks.
- Extra large or commercial vehicles: RVs, trucks, and buses, particularly those with double wheels, often weigh between 6,000 and 10,000 pounds. They require the toughest wheel chocks with the largest weight capacity. Not only are these vehicles much heavier, but their tire shapes and locations also call for slightly different wheel chock designs. Double wheels, for example, can utilize X-style chocks.
Motorcycle wheel chocks
Motorcycle wheel chocks have slightly different designs compared to regular vehicle chocks. Rather than being an open wedge, the chocks are slightly concave to partially encase the wheel. Motorcycle wheel chocks are often used in garages as well, so they may be equipped with bolting hardware. They don’t usually have weight capacities, though some encasements are wider than others to better accommodate different tire sizes.
"Because wheel chocks are designed for compatibility with vehicle weight, confirm the weight of your RV, truck, or bus before purchasing one. You’ll also need to calculate the weight of any load, accessories, or cargo that you keep in your vehicle."
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Features
Color
Wheel chocks typically come in black, yellow, or orange. There are also some metal chocks, particularly x-style models, which come in silver. Color isn’t a major factor in chocks unless you want a high level of visibility to make your chocks easy to spot on the blacktop or in your garage.
Materials
Wheel chocks are made from a variety of materials including plastic, metal, and rubber. The material doesn’t affect price as much as the design does, though metal wheel chocks tend to be on the more expensive end. This is because their designs require more engineering to support their use with double wheel vehicles and motorcycles.
X-style chocks
X-style wheel chocks are specifically designed for vehicles with double wheels. Unlike the traditional wedge style, x-style chocks are placed between paired wheels and are essentially suspended in the air between them. By cranking the chock to push against opposing inside walls, the tires are stabilized and should not be able to roll or shift.
Due to their sophisticated mechanism, x-style chocks require some additional time for set up and breakdown. If the kit doesn’t come with its own tool set, you might need your own tools. This style also may require regular maintenance and cleaning.
Removal method
To make wheel chock removal more convenient, some models are equipped with pull tabs or ropes. These design elements make it easy to grip and engage your body weight to pull out stubborn chocks. Otherwise, you could have difficulty finding a solid grip around the wedge area.
In some models, the rope actually attaches to both wheel chocks in pairs. This makes it easy to keep them together, especially if they are not stackable or nesting in design.
Wheel chock prices
Wheel chocks cost between $5 and $75. At the low end of the price range, you should expect lightweight plastic chocks geared toward smaller, lighter vehicles.
To get the most for your money, spend a little more for mid-range chocks, priced between $20 and $50. In this category, you’ll find chocks compatible with mid-size and larger vehicles, ranging from pick-up trucks to RVs. Motorcycle chocks are usually found in this range as well.
At the top of the price range, between $50 and $75, are wheel chocks designed for heavier vehicles, including commercial vehicles. These are generally well-designed wedge styles made from high-grade materials. They may also be metal x-style chocks that employ a sophisticated locking mechanism.
Tips
Confirm that all wheel chocks are removed before engaging vehicle. If you regularly use wheel chocks, perform a cursory look to make sure the chocks are removed and out of the way before driving.
Determine the slope with a ball. If the ground looks even and you need to know which side to place the chocks on, place a ball next to a wheel to see which way it rolls.
Wash hands after touching chocks. Wheel chocks can attract dirt, debris, or tar, so you should wash your hands or at least use hand sanitizer after handling them.
- Check tire pressure before chocking. If your tires are not the correct pressure, it could be unsafe to chock them. Partially deflated tires cannot be properly centered for chocking, and overinflated tires could burst with the added pressure from the chock.
FAQ
Q. How can I wash my wheel chocks?
A. It depends on the material. Plastic wheel chocks can be fully immersed in water and given a good scrubbing with dish soap. Rubber chocks can be wiped down with water and dish soap as well, and you can use vinegar or WD-40 to remove sticky residue from the surface. Metal wheel chocks are a bit trickier since you don’t want them to rust from being wet. Instead, use tarnish-free cleaning products geared toward metal surfaces and wipe them down. Regardless of the chock material, it’s important to let them completely dry before using them again.
Q. What other uses are there for wheel chocks?
A. Besides securing personal and commercial vehicles, wheel chocks have a variety of applications in other situations. Chocks are ideal to dock small boats on the shore, like canoes and row boats. Depending on which part of your boat faces the water, simply place the chocks at the stern or hull to secure the boat. Rubber models are especially popular, as they don’t damage the paint finish. Yard vehicles, such as riding mowers and small tractors, also benefit from chocking since they are often used on mostly level yet slightly uneven ground. Food trucks and carts also be secured in their spot during a day of service with wheel chocks.
