Abstract: A plastic tire chain apparatus especially adapted to permit replacement or redistribution of traction members without the need of specialized skills or tools. The tire chain apparatus comprises a plurality of plastic or rubber traction cross members, adapted to engage the tire perpendicular to the circumferential axis of the tire along the tread surface, with each cross member having an outer surface adapted to engage the road and an inner surface adapted to engage the tire tread. Each cross member has a pair of connecting members, one on either end thereof. Each connecting member is comprised of a first connecting portion having four spaced slots aligned generally parallel with the lengthwise axis of the cross member and a locking portion having a pair of parallel locking slots spaced from one another so as to be offset from the inner pair of slots of the first connecting portion.