Hello all ...
Just got my first T4R, am new to this forum (love it!) and beg for your patience in case I'm not getting this first post quite right.

Bought a 2011 4R-TRD equipped with stock rims with 265/70 R17 studded Hankook Pike RW 11 on it and would like to find a set of 4 chains which can be safely used on the front and rear tires to achieve maximum traction on the sometimes completely iced-up steep mountain roads in my backyard I'm driving.

I know that the user's manual states not to use chains in the front but from all the reading and talking to Toyota people I did it seems that the only reason for this recommendation is the limited inside and outside clearance (upper control arm (UCA), bottom rear of front wheel well).

When measured with my rim/tire setup, there is 25 mm inside clearance to UCA (independent of steering actuation) and 20 mm between tread and mud guard at about 70% steering actuation.

The self-tensioning Thule XG-12 Pro with its 12 mm chain link size and a cable ring on the inside (S Class rated) should therefore clear both, the UCA and body, sufficiently not to run into trouble. Based on my measurements, even a sturdier chain like the Thule XB-16 (16 mm link size with some off-road capability) should still be OK.

Has anyone used these or similar type chains on the front wheels of a 5th gen with similar clearances? If so, I would greatly appreciate your comments.

Also, originally, I was planning to buy a sturdier (i.e. thicker), off road capable chain for the rear wheels, so that I could also use them in the mud. But having two different rolling circumferences on front and rear and no central differential to compensate for it might spell serious trouble for the drive train when encountering the occasional high friction situation. So, now I'm thinking that it may be better (and cheaper in the long-term) to get a set of 4 of the same for winter and maybe a set of 2 HD ones for the mud.
Any thoughts on this?

Thanks so much!

If clearance is a problem on the front, how about using snow cables instead?

chains/cables are to get you out of trouble, not into it... if you ask me, if you have to run chains to drive around you should not be out driving around period. what are you gonna do when you get stuck with chains on?

Thanks for your comments and concerns ...

I have never used cables but from what I have read it seems that they don't last and their bite in ice is not the same as what you get from a chain.

Over the last 15 years, I have driven these roads with my F250 Powerstroke 4x4 and never got into a dangerous situation as long as I had chained up. Without chains, I wouldn't even give it a try. That would be kind of suicidal.

You might want to check out Rud chains for a 4 wheel setup. I have them for my ML 320 and carry them with me when I'm in moutains. Only had to use the once. They were pretty easiy to put on considering the conditions. They fit perfect as they are made for particular tire size, at least that's how they did when I got mine a long time age.

Thanks Ron,
I looked at the RUD Grip 4x4, seem to be good and sturdy chains but they have a greater clearance need than the Thule XG12 Pro and are not self-tensioning.

They would be my first choice in case the Thule turn out to be unsuitable for the front wheels.

will the thule xb16s work with stock rear tires?

Having put a little time in on chained up vehicles..I would feel much better with all 4 wheels done. I had a few experiences on some steep stuff where the ass end broke loose and wanted to come around (coming down hill) and although steering and braking are up there on the top of the list, nothing compares to staying in a line..

sorry I couldn't be more helpful..but yea, chain er' up!

Keep the chains the same size. I have had to put chains on all 4 before (not with the 4Runner though) out in the mountains of Wyoming and Montana. When you have to do this, that means conditions are really bad and you HAVE to get from point A to point B. Good luck and post up pics of chains and conditions!

If you're driving in conditions requiring chains on four wheels, consider getting a set of metal studded tires.

Please don't use chains for off roading. You'll end up tearing things up needlessly. Get some proper MT tires and air them down when you're off road or just stay off the trails until they're dry.

Disagree completely.

I've been on deactivated forrest service roads in the winter that are steep, off camber and glare ice. Chains would make them passable with relative ease, no chains make them very very uncomfortable and dangerous.

On trails with deep snow or muck or something that might actually provide some traction I agree with you for sure, but there's a place for chains too IMO.

Or you could stay home when it's bad like that, but where's the fun in that?

I've been on the winter trails in Waiparous when the hills are icy and off camber and we've never used chains because we like our fenders. We usually make it through fine but sometimes you just have to winch. You should also try re-reading the post I was quoting. He specifically said "I was planning to buy a sturdier (i.e. thicker), off road capable chain for the rear wheels, so that I could also use them in the mud."

That's the kind of mindset that gets trails shut down permanently. Tread Lightly.

I was responding to your comments not his. You said "please don't use chains off road". I am responding to that statement because I disagree with it, chains have their place off road. Maybe not on the trails you use but the world is a big place. Not sure about the fender comment, on icy roads (no deep snow etc) and properly fit chains I have no idea what you're getting at. These are FSRs remember, I am not stuffing a wheel ripping my fenders apart - different use like I keep saying.

Look, we use the roads to access trail heads. Sometimes once we're up there the conditions are bad...we don't abuse the roads or spin/claw our way up. In fact you would never know we went up in many cases.

Not everyone is doing the same thing you are or using trails like that.

Appreciate the mini-lecture though.