Only put chains on a 4Runner’s rear wheels. Chains always slop a little at speed. In the front the chains could hit the brake lines.

what I don't get is if the idea is to get clunkers off the road... the etest is a poor way to do it. Yearly safety would for sure get rid of clunkers. Back where I'm from (Ontario, Canada). A safety is mandatory for any change in ownership and it has to be from a ASE certified mechanic.

The real crappy part is that it is raining less and less in California, so the rain is not kill off these clunkers anymore.

If the front is chained, then expect to swap ends when braking if the rears lose traction, especially on ice. Given that the 4runner is RWD or 4wd, no need to chain the front before the rear.

If FWD, the drive wheels must be chained, so the fronts get chained, even if not optimal.

I was just wondering (I'm from Jersey, no mountains and very little snow compared to you guys) but do any of you run studded snow tires? Here, we usually get more ice than snow, and they are an absolutely amazing advantage.

haha. It's funny because it's true.

Food for thought - California's snowy roads really are slipperier than snowy roads in cold places. Warm snow or ice is a lot slipperier than cold snow and ice. Generally the warmer it is the slicker it is. So snow and ice just below freezing temps is the worst condition you can have for traction. And incidentally that happens in places like California more frequently than places like Montana - and is combined with a population who rarely ever experience snow and ice conditions. It's sort of a perfect storm for poor outcomes with inexperienced drivers, less capable vehicles, and the slipperiest road conditions all coming together.

http://www.iaeng.org/publication/WCE...p2381-2384.pdf

I've found the same to be true in Utah. The roads really are more slick than they are further north. And it rarely snows and stays below freezing temps for extended periods along main population center. So there's quite a few days each year with road temps right around freezing and a thin layer of snow/ice on them that only lasts for a few hours or maybe a day or two. Results are as you might expect. Lots of crashes every time.

Another phenomenon in California especially is the deposition and buildup of oil, grease, and tire material on the road surfaces over the long dry season. When the winter season arrives the first few rains mix it up and bring it to the surface to create extremely slick roads. And it stays that way until enough rain falls to wash it off. Add that into the snow/ice/slush conditions you described above, and the maniac high speed drivers who haven’t seen wet roads for eight or more months. No wonder insurance costs so much.

Yes, from looking a the photo your chains still suck. Right off the bat, they have minimal chaos crossing the trie tread and what ones they do are connected by chains which run in line with the tire. They have those connecting chains because there are so few crossing chains which have to be held linearly due to their length. It’s a design that intentionally minimizes the amount of cross bar chains used. If you’ve ever seen large equipment being used to move snow, the chains they use typically have cross bar chains every 6”.

Sorry that your ownership of these inferior chains blinds you to their reality, but they are cheap and they suck.

Data does not support your claim that it is raining less and less in California.

We own a home in Big Bear Lake and they have always let us through with 4WD vehicles. The scary part is the lowlanders with cars full of kids and snow play toys who don’t know how to drive.

We have v-bar chains for the 2014, but so far have not needed them. Have installed them and they work fine with no damage, but these chains have the cam tighteners as opposed to rubber cords.

We have a home in Big Bear Lake, CA and a ranch in Stevensville, Montana, so plenty of snow driving experience.

Nice job on building your own chains. Most of the snow removal equipment guys do the same.

These are the chains that I would recommend:

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I run Studded Nokians on my 4runner in the Winter. Having had BFG ATs and now Nittos, the truck was very slippery on the highway in the snow. Good for driving slow in deep snow, but Ive had 3 RRs in the past that all handled 10fold better in the snow than the 4Runner. In less than 10 inches I think my wife Q7 with Blizzaks does great as well.

With the studded Nokians tho, the 4runner is a tank. And it will certainly handle the ice we get.

For me it's not about whether CHP or Cal Trans will let me through. The only thing that matters to me is my family's safety. Whatever I can do to maximize that, I will do, including not driving sometimes.

So: Blizzaks get installed in November, and I always carry chains. If I never need the chains, that's great! That just means -- whether due to good luck or good decision-making (it's rare, but it happens) -- I didn't get into a bad enough situation.

I also carry --
- waterproof work gloves
- tarp to lay on the ground
- bag of kitty litter
- entrenching tool
- little snow shovel
- couple of mylar emergency blankets
- flashlights
- matches
- 1st aid kit
- car blanket or two
- battery booster pack
- water
- official Red Ryder, carbine action, 200-shot, range model air rifle, with a compass in the stock and this thing that tells time