Snow country people will 265/75R16 tires rub with snow chains?

[Benski]

The standard tire size for my 96 3rd gen. 4x4 is 265/70R16 and I had those on my stock rims. I needed to replace my tires and got a great deal on a set of 265/75R16 and I've read that is the largest I can go without rub. I didn't occur to me that I may need to chain up when I head out West to snow country. I'm worried that the chains will now rub with my new tires. Maybe after some wear they will be OK but I don't know about soon. Does anyone run chains on that size tire?

I worked at 2 ski resorts at Lake Tahoe several years ago and was required to have 4wd and chain up to go over the passes. I got some cable chains and they broke and tore up my wheel wells. I'm looking at 5mm chain links.

 

[J. B.]

you have 4wd right??

If so, M/S tires you don't need to chain if you're in 4wd.

California does require everyone to carry chains, and they have chain restriction R3 which is for 4wd with chains... but they'll close the road before that happens...

If you're 2wd..... bummer... but putting the chains on the rear and you'll probably be fine.

 

[Brilliant]

cable chains might fit closer on the tire.

 

[HCurphy]

your suspension will play a role in answering this question. If you're supper saggy you might have problems.

(only driven in snow once in my life, about two incches, definately not the person to answer this one.)

I feel confident in thinking that the rear would be no problem, the front probably wouldn't be either, but you may not be able to get full lock.

You on stock rims? or similar backspaced ones?

 

[nissanh]

I have passed Donner pass/Truckee multiple times during heavy snow in my 4runner without chains. If you have 4x4 you can go without chains. Chains are only required for 4x2 cars/trucks. This is why Subaru's are in high demand in Truckee!

If you use chains to the rear wheels in 4x2, you still have trouble maneuvering the front two wheels. My friend in Sacramento has 4x2 (265 75 16) and he uses chains!

ABS is a BIG + in snow!

It is fun to drive in snow! My truck is from SLT (so. lake Tahoe)

 

[Gerdo]

I will chain up when snow wheeling. I have only used chains on the back tires but I'm thinking about a set of cables for the front this year. When traveling in the mountains in the winter, I carry chains. I hate chaining up but the more you do it, the easier it is. I would rather have chains and get home than be turned around due to extreme weather.

 

[Benski]

I used to chain up the front, tell the guy my van was all wheel drive, and pray!

I used to have to cross Luther Pass in the morning before Caltrans did avalanche control to get up to Sierra-at-Tahoe ski resort. They checked required vehicles to have four wheel drive or awd and chains. I had a new modern looking van with front wheel drive. I would chain up the front, tell the guy at the check point I had all wheel drive and he would wave me on. I took it slow and steady up that steep grade, sometimes spinning all the way up. The road was narrow with a rock face on one side and a guard rail on the edge of a sheer cliff on the other. It was hairy. If I were to loose there was no where to go, I'd be in big trouble, and have a lot of angry people around me...

I recommend Sierra-at-Tahoe resort. Nice terrain and very cool people.

 

[Nelsonmd]

Well, to actually answer the question, with 265/70/16 you might be ok if they are thin chains, but fat ones I think might start catching.

For comparison, people usually start getting rub when they size up to 265/75/16 tires. Mine rub a bit in reverse when I am turning, so that is right about at the limit. You can pound in the spot that is catching a bit (mine is actually catching my mudguard, so I just don't worry about it.

That is for the fronts, that rears shouldn't have any issues unless you are at full stuff, which you probably don't need to worry about.

 

[jspagna1]

Stock suspension = yeas. They hit in the front even without chains.

 

[sean2202]

Do you have running boards on your truck? On my 96 limited 265/75 16 bfg fit but did not have much room between running board. What kind of tires did u put on? Deeper lugs add extra height to tire as well.