Recommended Snow Chains - Page 2 - Toyota 4Runner Forum

CutthroatSlam · 12-24-2021, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jetboy

I have a plow for my 4Runner.

I just plowed my street this week with about a foot of new snow.

But I don't use chains. It depends on where you are and how much ice you get probably. I owned a commercial snow plow company in Montana for a number of years. I never put chains on any of my plow vehicles either. Snow tires work well enough we never needed chains except on equipment like the tractors that have hard rubber for agricultural use.

4runner certainly isn't what I'd choose for a commercial plow rig. Heavy and short wheel base are big positives. But the front steering isn't really up to the task of hanging 500lbs off the front and beating on it. I think you'd be replacing steering racks every season. And rear visibility sucks. I only do my 100 feet of driveway a few times a year and when we get a big dump of a foot of snow I'll go plow all my neighbors who hand shovel or use ATVs that can't manage the deeper snow because my 2yr old loves to go plowing. Haha.

I think the traditional recommendation of front chains was for trucks with most of the weight up front and having them on the steering axle. Probably makes sense, especially on something like a diesel truck that might have 60-70% weight forward. On a roughly 50/50 SUV, going on the rear tires is probably about the same performance. I do think you could get away with low profile cables up front, but it'll be close on the bumper and fender clearance even if the brake and abs lines aren't a problem.

On this day it snowed at 34 F and the snow got quickly packed to where it was slick as ice. There were 5 cars spun out on the turn at the bottom of the hill (all our property on the far side) include a Highway Patrol Car. This bus tried to do a 3 point turn around up neighbor’s driveway at top of hill to avoid the mess and clipped the corner, putting rear axle in the ditch with ass end high centered on the road. I brought in the 4Runners bigger brother: 1999 Suburban K2500 4WD Diesel. I eventually got the bus out by pulling it forward up the driveway, then pulling the ass end sideways down the hill.

School bus rescue - YouTube

This is in unincorporated area of Stevensville, Montana in the Bitteroot Valley. Broke two cross chains on one set. Ordered a set of hardened chains to cover all 4 wheels and repaired this set.

kaitlyn2004 · 12-24-2021, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_economist

I have these for 275 KO2s and am in the Sierra snow all the time. They are amazing, super easy on and off: Peerless | Auto-Trac (R)

I picked up the auto-trac for my stock size 265s but "slightly beefier" falken wildpeak, and I couldn't get them to fit!

Very annoying. I love the idea of a self-tensioning system.

I wonder if there's a SMALL chance I somehow got the wrong chains (despite label) and maybe they can actually fit... blehhh

ravens_wood · 12-25-2021, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaitlyn2004

I picked up the auto-trac for my stock size 265s but "slightly beefier" falken wildpeak, and I couldn't get them to fit!

Very annoying. I love the idea of a self-tensioning system.

I wonder if there's a SMALL chance I somehow got the wrong chains (despite label) and maybe they can actually fit... blehhh

I have Toyo A/T III in 265 and had a little trouble squeezing them on.

I found you have to pull the top tensioner out all the way (rather than just enough to hook on) to provide more slack to hook the bottom.

Then they'll self-tighten once you flip the tabs down.

CutthroatSlam · 12-25-2021, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_economist

I have these for 275 KO2s and am in the Sierra snow all the time. They are amazing, super easy on and off: Peerless | Auto-Trac (R)

I can tell by just looking at these chains, they are not hardened. Also the connecting chain between diagonal cross chains is wasted space as it provides no traction. The red tightening ring chain appears to be plastic. I checked on the price and they sell them at Walmart for $94. Trust me, you get what you pay for. From a site that recommended OEM Oil and fluids only, OEM filters and Spark Plugs, then recommends this junk makes no sense. The OP asked for recommendations on a "good set of chains." These do not fit that description, but they are supposedly easy to install. These chains will work well when kept in the trunk.

kaitlyn2004 · 12-25-2021, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CutthroatSlam

I can tell by just looking at these chains, they are not hardened. Also the connecting chain between diagonal cross chains is wasted space as it provides no traction. The red tightening ring chain appears to be plastic. I checked on the price and they sell them at Walmart for $94. Trust me, you get what you pay for. From a site that recommended OEM Oil and fluids only, OEM filters and Spark Plugs, then recommends this junk makes no sense. The OP asked for recommendations on a "good set of chains." These do not fit that description, but they are supposedly easy to install. These chains will work well when kept in the trunk.

So what do you recommend for chains that are easy to install?

5thToy · 12-25-2021, 01:41 PM

I have Peerless Auto-Tracs as well. I've only used them on rural, unplowed roads to make sure I know how to put them on. Work just fine.

For the OP. I live in Reno and make the trip over the hill to CA regularly. I carry chains because CHP requires them. In my experience, those mountain roads usually go from "chains required on all vehicles except 4WD with snow tires" to "closed to all traffic". If the roads are open and call for chains on everything, you probably don't want to be out there anyway. I have never had to put them on.

CutthroatSlam · 12-25-2021, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaitlyn2004

So what do you recommend for chains that are easy to install?

Already posted them. They are easy to install. I can install both chains in less than 10 minutes. The cam tensioners are superior. Go with standard cross chains (not the diamond design of those Peerless) and you can easily replace worn or broken cross chains.

As someone else posted, they either have 80 open or they close it when enough drivers dump their fast food drink ice onto the highway.

Fire3008 · 12-26-2021, 10:56 AM

Make sure the first time you are using the chains is not in a foot of snow in a ditch! Figuring them out on a dry driveway is much easier. I run the auto trac chains for light snow and ice. Watch those cables when you flip the bail on the tightener, They snap closed pretty violently.

When we get deep snow i switch to full ladder link vbar chains. Working in Colorado at 10,000 feet every day and driving on un plowed forest service roads can be a challenge. I run General Grabber AT with studs in the winter.

Driving past the Jeep guys stuck on the hill with 35" mud tires is fun too. They seem to spend the trip winching each other to the top of each hill. The nice concerned warning, "you should stop here there are 6 jeeps stuck on the hill" and I drive right by all of them. I have offered to help but what could I possibly offer in a little 4 Runner or a TACO.

kaitlyn2004 · 12-26-2021, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fire3008

Make sure the first time you are using the chains is not in a foot of snow in a ditch! Figuring them out on a dry driveway is much easier. I run the auto trac chains for light snow and ice. Watch those cables when you flip the bail on the tightener, They snap closed pretty violently.

When we get deep snow i switch to full ladder link vbar chains. Working in Colorado at 10,000 feet every day and driving on un plowed forest service roads can be a challenge. I run General Grabber AT with studs in the winter.

Driving past the Jeep guys stuck on the hill with 35" mud tires is fun too. They seem to spend the trip winching each other to the top of each hill. The nice concerned warning, "you should stop here there are 6 jeeps stuck on the hill" and I drive right by all of them. I have offered to help but what could I possibly offer in a little 4 Runner or a TACO.

If you're driving on an unplowed FSR, vbar chains or not aren't you most likely to have a ground clearance issue, where the snow will just be too high and you'll become a snowplow of sorts?

????? · 12-26-2021, 05:42 PM

This is what I keep in the back when chains are required

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Along with these

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????? · 12-26-2021, 06:11 PM

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CutthroatSlam · 12-26-2021, 07:33 PM

[QUOTE=?????;3698099]This is what I keep in the back when chains are required

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Along with these

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Both of these ^^^ will do the job.

jp.vegas · 12-26-2021, 08:28 PM

I have a set of RUD Grip 4x4 chains, have had them for years and years. Probably used them two or three times, but they worked when needed.

Lots of good choices out there, but make sure the materials are up to the task. Plastic...probably not it in this instance.

CutthroatSlam · 12-26-2021, 08:42 PM

The worst possible choice are those cable chains. Had someone (renter) turn down the wrong driveway next to our home at Big Bear lake. Driving a Taco with cable chains and got stuck at the bottom of the drive below a steep section that was solid ice. He came to my door begging to be towed out. I checked out the situation and passed on helping them because of the ice. I advised him to flag down the guy plowing drives with a large Caterpillar to yank him out.

the_economist · 12-27-2021, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CutthroatSlam

I can tell by just looking at these chains, they are not hardened. Also the connecting chain between diagonal cross chains is wasted space as it provides no traction. The red tightening ring chain appears to be plastic. I checked on the price and they sell them at Walmart for $94. Trust me, you get what you pay for. From a site that recommended OEM Oil and fluids only, OEM filters and Spark Plugs, then recommends this junk makes no sense. The OP asked for recommendations on a "good set of chains." These do not fit that description, but they are supposedly easy to install. These chains will work well when kept in the trunk.

The way forums work is people who have actually bought and field tested products recommend them based on real-world experience. Not making uninformed criticisms of other peoples recommendations for products you clearly have never bought or used.

In this case, you clearly don’t own a pair of these chains — you’re just looking at a website description and making silly claims about them from your couch in SoCal.

For one, I have use these chains on 275 KO2s for three seasons, and I’ve driven >5 miles in ice on Highway 50 in them, they are proven tough in practice. Also, the tightening ring is polymer, just like the bottom half of a Glock pistol, not plastic. As far as them being “hardened” steel, you can read the product description for the exact specs on why these are lighter than traditional steel chains but retain strength. And you can also read the design specs behind the diamond pattern.

Just because you paid three times as much for an inferior solution doesn’t mean you should be butt hurt and slam other peoples recommendations on the forum.

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