Thanks RonJR. Mine are Es. They are definitely LT, but I was wondering if the only difference was the profile allowing more clearance with the wheel wheels. I am more concerned with getting the right size so the cables fitting around the aggressive tread.
snow chains?
- Thread starter GreyDawg
- Start date
Thanks RonJR. Mine are Es. They are definitely LT, but I was wondering if the only difference was the profile allowing more clearance with the wheel wheels. I am more concerned with getting the right size so the cables fitting around the aggressive tread.
ChurchofTrails
New member
One more consideration is I believe KO/2's run small. But don't quote me on that.
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Blitzkrieg
New member
Yeah. I am with you big time on that. You will never see me on I-70 West Friday - Sunday. Ever. A little snow and that turns into the biggest cluster**** on earth.
Plus! Lift lines on Tuesday-Thursday! Make a run, hit the lift, rinse, repeat all day.
Powder_Hound
New member
A link to CDOT's FAQ about traction/chain laws in Co.
https://www.codot.gov/travel/winter-driving/assets/FactSheetTractionandPassengerVehicleChainLaw.pdf
Code 15 - Passenger traction law - good to go with 4WD and at least 1/8 tread
Code 16 - Passenger chain law - all passenger cars, including 4WD, require chains
4th gen owners manual indicates only rear tires can use chains!
I've never used them as I indicated earlier, but the popo and CDOT are enforcing these laws statewide for 16/17 season.
https://www.codot.gov/travel/winter-driving/assets/FactSheetTractionandPassengerVehicleChainLaw.pdf
Code 15 - Passenger traction law - good to go with 4WD and at least 1/8 tread
Code 16 - Passenger chain law - all passenger cars, including 4WD, require chains
4th gen owners manual indicates only rear tires can use chains!
I've never used them as I indicated earlier, but the popo and CDOT are enforcing these laws statewide for 16/17 season.
FrontRange4Runner
New member
These laws are new to all of us from CO. Considering that CDOT is pretty good when it comes to snow preparedness, and 12"+ does not cancel work here, a code 16 likely means snowpocalypse. In that case, have fun driving around on side streets and pulling non-equipped motorists out of the ditch. Do not go on any busy roads unless you want to sit for hours or die. NEVER attempt to get onto I70 during these conditions. I don't care if you condo currently has Mila Kunis naked in the hot tub. Not-Worth-It.
JSparky
New member
I just picked up those Peerless Auto-Trac ones in your second link. I like the auto-tensioning feature. I really wanted to pick up the Thule brand chains cause I read they're made in Italy and suppose to be of superior quality, but I didn't see an application for 285/75-17. I'm headed up to Truckee next week so maybe I'll have a report when I get back but we'll see, they're kind of last case scenario for me.
007Tacoma
New member
I am sorry, but I would still find a way to that condo.
I picked up a set of Super Z6 Chains since my old AutoTracs wouldn't fit the new tire size. I hope I don't have to use them this year.
I bet super Z6 chains would be the best thing for the front wheels if you want to chain up the front. But I don't see a need as long as you have good tires and 4WD. The only time I would want chains on all four wheels would be if I was driving off road in the snow. I've never had a problem with traction on paved roads as long as I go slow. On dirt roads there's often a small but steep ditch on one or both sides of the road, and it's easy to get one or two wheels stuck in that, and it's hard to get out since it's slippery. I've had some close calls but I've always been able to get unstuck myself.
I own a set of Autotrac chains for the rear now. Walmart also sells them under a slightly different part number for much cheaper. The size I got barely fits my 4th gen stock size tires, but it does fit. I've tested them out at home but never used them in snow.
I've had my share of bad experiences on I70. One year it took 6 hours to get back to the front range from Summit County (it's normally about 2 hours), and most people didn't even make it. I guess the roads were slippery, but it didn't seem too bad in a 4runner (friend's 5th gen with factory tires). We were nearly hit by sliding vehicles 3 separate times, and we passed about 50 cars parked on the side of the highway apparently abandoned. By the time we made it to the Eisenhower tunnel there was no one behind us for a mile, despite 4-5 hours of mostly stopped traffic to get there. Plows couldn't get through (too many people blocking the shoulder), and it was snowing about an inch an hour with a lot of it melting at lower elevations.
Another time I was coming back from Utah a bit west of Vail. We got caught in a whiteout so bad I couldn't see the road at all, so I drove on the rumble strip so I knew I was on the road. Traction wasn't a problem, but the road was completely covered in snow and everything was white. 10 FedEx double trailer trucks flew past me at about 40mph. They had chains, but I don't know how they could see? Maybe sitting higher up with lights low near the road helped? CDOT should have closed the road, but they were nowhere to be seen. The FedEx trucks were presumably trying to make it over Vail Pass before it closed. I stopped and stayed the night in Edwards, and Beaver Creek reported 12 inches of powder the next morning (but I had to go to work). I didn't need chains. I wouldn't have put them on because I didn't pass any chain stations for a while, and it wasn't safe to stop with all the FedEx trucks flying by with no visibility.
The only reason I was on that section of I70 at the time was because I80 was closed due to blowing snow, poor visibility, and several trucks crashing.
After the mess from Dillon to the tunnel a few years ago they seem to close that section of I70 more frequently, at least for short periods. They do a bad job of updating their website with closures. Last year that section was closed for a while, but there was nothing that indicated Loveland Pass was closed. I and basically everyone else drove up to try it. We were forced to turn around above A Basin after crawling in traffic for at least an hour. I should have known better since they have to close Loveland pass frequently for avalanche danger. At least it was a way to kill time while we waited for I70 to reopen.
I think Colorado still doesn't do chain checkpoints like California does (but we should), so even if the code 16 traction law is in effect you can ignore it as long as you don't get stuck or get in an accident. If you do get stuck or get in an accident and didn't use chains they will fine you for sure. You will probably also be found at fault for the accident, and I bet if you need a tow truck they'll charge you a lot more than normal.
I own a set of Autotrac chains for the rear now. Walmart also sells them under a slightly different part number for much cheaper. The size I got barely fits my 4th gen stock size tires, but it does fit. I've tested them out at home but never used them in snow.
I've had my share of bad experiences on I70. One year it took 6 hours to get back to the front range from Summit County (it's normally about 2 hours), and most people didn't even make it. I guess the roads were slippery, but it didn't seem too bad in a 4runner (friend's 5th gen with factory tires). We were nearly hit by sliding vehicles 3 separate times, and we passed about 50 cars parked on the side of the highway apparently abandoned. By the time we made it to the Eisenhower tunnel there was no one behind us for a mile, despite 4-5 hours of mostly stopped traffic to get there. Plows couldn't get through (too many people blocking the shoulder), and it was snowing about an inch an hour with a lot of it melting at lower elevations.
Another time I was coming back from Utah a bit west of Vail. We got caught in a whiteout so bad I couldn't see the road at all, so I drove on the rumble strip so I knew I was on the road. Traction wasn't a problem, but the road was completely covered in snow and everything was white. 10 FedEx double trailer trucks flew past me at about 40mph. They had chains, but I don't know how they could see? Maybe sitting higher up with lights low near the road helped? CDOT should have closed the road, but they were nowhere to be seen. The FedEx trucks were presumably trying to make it over Vail Pass before it closed. I stopped and stayed the night in Edwards, and Beaver Creek reported 12 inches of powder the next morning (but I had to go to work). I didn't need chains. I wouldn't have put them on because I didn't pass any chain stations for a while, and it wasn't safe to stop with all the FedEx trucks flying by with no visibility.
The only reason I was on that section of I70 at the time was because I80 was closed due to blowing snow, poor visibility, and several trucks crashing.
After the mess from Dillon to the tunnel a few years ago they seem to close that section of I70 more frequently, at least for short periods. They do a bad job of updating their website with closures. Last year that section was closed for a while, but there was nothing that indicated Loveland Pass was closed. I and basically everyone else drove up to try it. We were forced to turn around above A Basin after crawling in traffic for at least an hour. I should have known better since they have to close Loveland pass frequently for avalanche danger. At least it was a way to kill time while we waited for I70 to reopen.
I think Colorado still doesn't do chain checkpoints like California does (but we should), so even if the code 16 traction law is in effect you can ignore it as long as you don't get stuck or get in an accident. If you do get stuck or get in an accident and didn't use chains they will fine you for sure. You will probably also be found at fault for the accident, and I bet if you need a tow truck they'll charge you a lot more than normal.
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KidVermicious
New member
Yeah. they're good, the autotensioning is nice and I think they ride a little smoother on the ice and hardpack. The Z chains are a little lower profile and I feel like they bite better, although that could be me talking. They're supposed to be a little more durable as well.
Can't really go wrong with either set though.
007Tacoma
New member
Absolutely! We travel with a cooler of meds for my wife, food, water, blankets, flashlights, batteries, matches, knives, and just recently started carrying a HAM radio. The radio is emergency only until I can get licensed.
Blitzkrieg
New member
But HEY!
If Mag Chloride isn't enough to cause enough corrosion, our brilliant CDOT has this in store for us!!!!!
CDOT preparing to use salt brine to treat roads ahead of storms | FOX31 Denver
Two is better than one right?
If Mag Chloride isn't enough to cause enough corrosion, our brilliant CDOT has this in store for us!!!!!
CDOT preparing to use salt brine to treat roads ahead of storms | FOX31 Denver
Two is better than one right?
jrob
New member
Little late on this, but if you're in Durango, go out to Basin Coop across 550 from Walmart. They can hook you up with some chains.
Also we got a discount tire out in that same area recently as well, which is great for service between your two locations.
Honestly you should be fine with some good snow tires. I run good year duratracs and they are one of the best tires I have ever run in the snow. Stay away from studs.
Unless you need to access some remote oilfield sites or something, in which case definitely get chains.
Also watch that stretch between Albuquerque-Cuba-Bloomfield. Shit gets gnar down there.
Stay safe!
Also we got a discount tire out in that same area recently as well, which is great for service between your two locations.
Honestly you should be fine with some good snow tires. I run good year duratracs and they are one of the best tires I have ever run in the snow. Stay away from studs.
Unless you need to access some remote oilfield sites or something, in which case definitely get chains.
Also watch that stretch between Albuquerque-Cuba-Bloomfield. Shit gets gnar down there.
Stay safe!
007Tacoma
New member
Yeah, I used to live in Farmington, NM. The drive to Albuquerque is entertaining year round... whether it is the ice and snow or the drunk drivers... you have to stay alert on that stretch.
I have always carried chains, but I have never needed to use them. We made it from San Antonio to Fort Collins yesterday on my Firestone Destination ATs. Horrible weather - extremely heavy winds, snow, sleet, and ice... 4Runner did great, but I am beat.
007Tacoma
New member
I guess if they aren't setup correctly... but you could also say the same thing about running over a metal rod. :shrug:
