Tire chain advice.

jca21

jca21

New member
hello folks,

looking to buy a set of tire cables for my trail edition and was looking for advice.

first off, im looking to buy the scc brand of cable chains, either the Z's or the shure grips.

the reason i need these is to satisfy some of the regulations around here when heading up mountains with lots of snow (theres a local mountain that inspects for chains and if you dont have them, they'll turn you around).

my question is, do i need to buy 4? one for each tire?

i've done some research online and most sources point to 4 but have also read conflicting information suggestion you should only run 2.


thanks alot guys, appreciate it.
 
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Check your owner's manual. Information for Limited indicates chains can only be used on the rear tires. Your TE may be different, but you should confirm before trying to put chains on the front. One set of chains is sufficient except under extreme conditions.
 
Last edited:
thanks guys, i'll check the manual again,

reason i ask is cause i came across this info:

On 4WD vehicles:

• Snow chains mounted on all 4 with 4WD/AWD - ideal lateral stability, perfect acceleration, crisp steering, super braking. However, part time systems will show some understeer (turns are wider than intended). Full time 4WD systems are best. This is what everyone should have for snow and ice. Be careful anyway.
• Snow chains mounted on front axle with 4WD/AWD - good acceleration, good steering, good braking. However, since the rear wheels have no lateral guidance, the rear end might come around - fast. Not good. Feather your brakes. Go slow.
• Snow chains mounted on rear axle with 4WD/AWD - good acceleration, lousy steering (no lateral guidance), marginal braking (remember, 80% of brake force is created at front wheels and without chains that ain't happening). No fishtailing. Best compromise for 4WD with only one pair of chains. Go slow.

mikey, what kinda conditions were you in when using the chains? also, i assume you were in 4wd right? :D
 
Used them in Tahoe going over the summit. It was on a 2wd Tacoma. haven't had to put them on the runner yet, conditions haven't been severe enough.

Super easy to install and remove.
 
jca21 said:
thanks guys, i'll check the manual again,

reason i ask is cause i came across this info:

On 4WD vehicles:

• Snow chains mounted on all 4 with 4WD/AWD - ideal lateral stability, perfect acceleration, crisp steering, super braking. However, part time systems will show some understeer (turns are wider than intended). Full time 4WD systems are best. This is what everyone should have for snow and ice. Be careful anyway.
• Snow chains mounted on front axle with 4WD/AWD - good acceleration, good steering, good braking. However, since the rear wheels have no lateral guidance, the rear end might come around - fast. Not good. Feather your brakes. Go slow.
• Snow chains mounted on rear axle with 4WD/AWD - good acceleration, lousy steering (no lateral guidance), marginal braking (remember, 80% of brake force is created at front wheels and without chains that ain't happening). No fishtailing. Best compromise for 4WD with only one pair of chains. Go slow.

mikey, what kinda conditions were you in when using the chains? also, i assume you were in 4wd right? :D
Click to expand...

Bottom line is my friend...if you need chains you should already be driving way slower than normal...ya think??:zoom:

Snow chain advice for an ignoramus please - Expedition Portal Forum

Brad's Consolidated King Kamper Trailer Thread - Page 2 - Expedition Portal Forum

This guy tows a lot of bad condition driving with his camper, and thinks the Thule chains are best.

Hope it helps:pimp:
 
pat,

always making me look dumb arent ya? :P

read the manual again and it states to only put on the rear. still think 4 cables all around would be better but who am i to argue with toyota? :D


the thules look good but way pricey for what i need them for.

mikey, thanks for the experience, i think i'm set.

anyone know why 4 cables would be a no-no....? seems like the logical thing to do on a 4wd. is it cause of the transmission wind up that xiao pointed out?
 
Last edited:
jca21 said:
pat,

always making me look dumb arent ya? :P

read the manual again and it states to only put on the rear. still think 4 cables all around would be better but who am i to argue with toyota? :D


the thules look good but way pricey for what i need them for.

mikey, thanks for the experience, i think i'm set.

anyone know why 4 cables would be a no-no....? seems like the logical thing to do on a 4wd. is it cause of the transmission wind up that xiao pointed out?
Click to expand...
Take a look and you will see there is limited clearance between the interior side of the wheel and the suspension and brake line. There are a number of vehicles out there now that do not recommend chains on the front. Again, it takes some pretty severe conditions to warrant use of chains on all four tires. I've only chained up all the way around a few times; the last time I was driving up an unimproved road in 20 inches of snow to recover an elk my partner shot.
 
Yakman said:
Take a look and you will see there is limited clearance between the interior side of the wheel and the suspension and brake line. There are a number of vehicles out there now that do not recommend chains on the front. Again, it takes some pretty severe conditions to warrant use of chains on all four tires. I've only chained up all the way around a few times; the last time I was driving up an unimproved road in 20 inches of snow to recover an elk my partner shot.
Click to expand...

thanks dude!


sounds like the rear is the only place that needs them :thanks:
 
jca21 said:
hello folks,

looking to buy a set of tire cables for my trail edition and was looking for advice.

first off, im looking to buy the scc brand of cable chains, either the Z's or the shure grips.

the reason i need these is to satisfy some of the regulations around here when heading up mountains with lots of snow (theres a local mountain that inspects for chains and if you dont have them, they'll turn you around).

my question is, do i need to buy 4? one for each tire?

i've done some research online and most sources point to 4 but have also read conflicting information suggestion you should only run 2.


thanks alot guys, appreciate it.
Click to expand...

Costco has a special on SCC Eurotech allow chains

Includes:

Chain tighteners
Waterproof installation mat
Waterproof gloves
Repair links
Features:

Set of 2 chains
Application: Passenger / light trucks
Construction: Alloy steel link
Meets maximum state requirements in all states for passenger / light truck vehicles
Diamond cross member pattern
Tighteners are required and included
Meets Class "S" clearance requirements
Easy installation, with no need to move the vehicle
Better all-around traction performance than conventional traction products
More durable than any other link-style chain

The LTs are EA1707 for $79.99

Costco - SCC Eurotech Alloy Steel Link Passenger/Light Truck Vehicle Snow Chains
 
JS5thGen said:
Costco has a special on SCC Eurotech allow chains

Includes:

Chain tighteners
Waterproof installation mat
Waterproof gloves
Repair links
Features:

Set of 2 chains
Application: Passenger / light trucks
Construction: Alloy steel link
Meets maximum state requirements in all states for passenger / light truck vehicles
Diamond cross member pattern
Tighteners are required and included
Meets Class "S" clearance requirements
Easy installation, with no need to move the vehicle
Better all-around traction performance than conventional traction products
More durable than any other link-style chain

The LTs are EA1707 for $79.99

Costco - SCC Eurotech Alloy Steel Link Passenger/Light Truck Vehicle Snow Chains
Click to expand...

thanks for the tip JS!

will look into it. :trophy:
 
ordered myself a set of thule xb-16s.

will do a review once they arrive and theres some snow on the ground :D
 
Yakman said:
Take a look and you will see there is limited clearance between the interior side of the wheel and the suspension and brake line. There are a number of vehicles out there now that do not recommend chains on the front.
Click to expand...

This is the key reason why Toyota says not to use chains on the front wheels. It was the same in my 1999 Tacoma. In the Taco, there is very little clearance between the tire and control arm. Chains wouldn't clear it. Some folks with aftermarket wheels or spacers can make it happen, though, since it'll give more clearance in there.

As far as having chains on all 4 wheels causing binding issues on part time 4wd, is that really a problem? Do chains really have enough traction in snow to cause binding between the front and rear? I would've figured that, despite the chains, you'd still have enough slippage on the wheels to at least compensate for the binding. I've never had to use chains, so I honestly don't know. I've always used Blizzak snow tires, and chains have been completely unnecessary. :)
 
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