n00b snow chain question

[slimboiphat]

I own 2000 toyota 4runner 4wd w/ differential locker. I just got a new set of Pathfinder all season tires that has severe service emblem (snowflake) marked on it. I'm going to southern oregon where snow is probably heavy during this time of the year. Will i need snow chain?

 

[my92t4r]

hell no, just locked that shit and 4lo

 

[nevada]

I own 2000 toyota 4runner 4wd w/ differential locker. I just got a new set of Pathfinder all season tires that has severe service emblem (snowflake) marked on it. I'm going to southern oregon where snow is probably heavy during this time of the year. Will i need snow chain?

need? hard to say, but its unlikely.

im not sure about Oregon's laws, but when "chains are required" here in Washington, that does not apply to 4wd/AWD. so from a legal standpoint, they would not be needed.

 

[1blink]

Depends on what roads you plan on driving. The beaten path, where they plow, salt and maintain the road? Or back roads that get neglected. Flat road surfaces, or steep mountain roads?

 

[slimboiphat]

Depends on what roads you plan on driving. The beaten path, where they plow, salt and maintain the road? Or back roads that get neglected. Flat road surfaces, or steep mountain roads?

I plan on staying on the main highway going up north from california so I imagine it'll be plowed and mixture of windy incline and decline. I can't be too sure since it'll be my first time.

 

[csp]

If the roads are anything like they are in Colorado you don't need chains.

Put it in 4WD, leave plenty of room between you and the guy in front of you, and don't make any abrupt moves and you'll be fine.

 

[twitchee2]

I know you are going to Oregon, but in CA they require you to have chains in possession in chain control areas.

 

[aeroneer1]

Oregon roads are rarely snowy unless you're in a blizzard. New tires and 4 wheel drive you'll be just fine.

 

[1blink]

If the roads are anything like they are in Colorado you don't need chains.

Put it in 4WD, leave plenty of room between you and the guy in front of you, and don't make any abrupt moves and you'll be fine.

Maybe if you stay on the well maintained roads. Some of my customers up here... I have had to chain up all 4 tires to reach some cabins already this year, and it's still sketchy even with that. If you are going down a 12% grade with switchbacks on slick ice, your 4wd doesn't mean much. You could put it in park on a frozen slope like that and just watch your vehicle slide away on its own. Or off camber shelf roads piled with drift snow and a seriously unhealthy drop off on the downhill side.

 

[1blink]

I plan on staying on the main highway going up north from california so I imagine it'll be plowed and mixture of windy incline and decline. I can't be too sure since it'll be my first time.

I imagine you should be fine without chains for that kind of driving, but it never hurts to be prepared. Snow plows tend to run on the highways regularly in storms.

 

[csp]

Maybe if you stay on the well maintained roads. Some of my customers up here... I have had to chain up all 4 tires to reach some cabins already this year, and it's still sketchy even with that. If you are going down a 12% grade with switchbacks on slick ice, your 4wd doesn't mean much. You could put it in park on a frozen slope like that and just watch your vehicle slide away on its own. Or off camber shelf roads piled with drift snow and a seriously unhealthy drop off on the downhill side.

Did you miss what the OP's intentions are? Of course there are situations where chains are well advised, but that's not within the context of the question asked by the OP. Me saying he won't need chains isn't a one-size-fits-all answer.

I plan on staying on the main highway going up north from california so I imagine it'll be plowed and mixture of windy incline and decline.

 

[slimboiphat]

I know you are going to Oregon, but in CA they require you to have chains in possession in chain control areas.

o wow. i wasn't even aware of that. Thanks for the info!

 

[slimboiphat]

Thanks for all the info guys. I guess worst case, i'll just have snow chain on me for the trip and return it if I don't use it.

Going off the topic here - I also own a subaru and subaru's manual specifically says no on snow chain regardless of any snow condition. I imagine it's because of their symmetrical awd system. This doesn't apply for 4runners right? And if so do i put snow chain all 4 wheels if needed? or just two? if so which ones?

 

[1blink]

Thanks for all the info guys. I guess worst case, i'll just have snow chain on me for the trip and return it if I don't use it.

Going off the topic here - I also own a subaru and subaru's manual specifically says no on snow chain regardless of any snow condition. I imagine it's because of their symmetrical awd system. This doesn't apply for 4runners right? And if so do i put snow chain all 4 wheels if needed? or just two? if so which ones?

On the 4runner, just chain the rear tires. The front tires don't have the necessary extra clearance. I see chained Subarus every time it snows on the mountain here. They run S clearance cable chains on the front tires.