ElectroBoy
Banned
Forty years of driving in the Sierra, carrying chains as required. Only once did I have to put them on my 4R to satisfy the CHP, although they weren’t really needed.
Tire Chains recommendations
- Thread starter progress4m
- Start date
Please do your research before you start spreading Fake News. You assumed it was plastic?
I would suggest You look at these via the Pwag- Brenta-C 4x4 website.
Or go to the Etrailer.com/tire chains/toyota/4runner. website.
It gives a full detail of these chains and what they are made of.
You Must be referring to the colored chain. This is a titanium alloy.
These are not a cheap snow chain at $200 plus.
You got all your information from one photo?
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Hyde802
New member
Not even close to a "5th gen" But I love tire chains for winter wheelin. The traction and confidence they add over a non chained tire is incredible.
I have these on my 92, I made them from old plow chains we had laying around. 1/2 the cross pieces are studded, 1/2 are v bar. They did awesome and completely changed how I winter wheel. Currently sourcing new parts to build a set closer resembling skidder chains.
I suggest getting a plain and simple set of chains, they dont have to be fancy, and practice putting them on well before you need them. The worst part about chaining up is lying in the slush to put them on. Keeping a small tarp in the chain bag makes for a dryier place to lie down.
I have these on my 92, I made them from old plow chains we had laying around. 1/2 the cross pieces are studded, 1/2 are v bar. They did awesome and completely changed how I winter wheel. Currently sourcing new parts to build a set closer resembling skidder chains.
I suggest getting a plain and simple set of chains, they dont have to be fancy, and practice putting them on well before you need them. The worst part about chaining up is lying in the slush to put them on. Keeping a small tarp in the chain bag makes for a dryier place to lie down.
salsanacho
New member
Yup, recommend a tarp and also some sleeved gloves that cover your forearm. Then you don't get your sweatshirt or jacket all wet and dirty as well.
progress4m
Member
Thank you all for feedback and suggestions.
For those who said I do not need tire\snow chains… here is a little story, first of all I am originally from Russia, that were I learned how to drive (snow driving included LOL), so I guess you can trust me when I say “I know how to drive on snow”. And in my 30 + years of driving I never had or needed tire chains…
I am planning to go to Red River, NM (and I have done that trip many times in the past)… but here is the twist: in one of those trips I drove into real snow blizzard (whiteout)… that storm hit hard and faster than Weather channel was originally predicting it… here is the article describing the fate of another family that were on the same road at the same time as me and my family (note: I have learned about it weeks later): Rescuers dig out Texas family buried in snow - US news - Life | NBC News …
In the middle that article, you can see following statement “Early on, the family could hear vehicles passing, so they tried honking the horn. That didn't work.” … Well… I am pretty sure that one of those vehicles was my 4Runner… but I could not hear anything, except the roar of the wind and snow… and I am almost certain I was the last vehicle leaving that road… because when we finally reached Springer, NM I had to move barricades setup by DPS as that road was closed… and we stopped not far from the exit to let kids out of the car (after almost 4 hours), rest a bit (and for me to clean the front of 4Runner- air flow to radiator was nonexistent)… snow was continuing to fall, but the storm was gone… we were there for at least 30-40 minutes and there were no cars coming from that road… I would say snow was at least 2 feet deep on that road…
And that is the story that pushes me into idea of having tire\snow chains… not planning on using them, but I feel like having them can make a difference in very ugly and hopefully rare (meaning never) situation.
Again, thanks for info! I will report back if I ended up getting tire chains.
For those who said I do not need tire\snow chains… here is a little story, first of all I am originally from Russia, that were I learned how to drive (snow driving included LOL), so I guess you can trust me when I say “I know how to drive on snow”. And in my 30 + years of driving I never had or needed tire chains…
I am planning to go to Red River, NM (and I have done that trip many times in the past)… but here is the twist: in one of those trips I drove into real snow blizzard (whiteout)… that storm hit hard and faster than Weather channel was originally predicting it… here is the article describing the fate of another family that were on the same road at the same time as me and my family (note: I have learned about it weeks later): Rescuers dig out Texas family buried in snow - US news - Life | NBC News …
In the middle that article, you can see following statement “Early on, the family could hear vehicles passing, so they tried honking the horn. That didn't work.” … Well… I am pretty sure that one of those vehicles was my 4Runner… but I could not hear anything, except the roar of the wind and snow… and I am almost certain I was the last vehicle leaving that road… because when we finally reached Springer, NM I had to move barricades setup by DPS as that road was closed… and we stopped not far from the exit to let kids out of the car (after almost 4 hours), rest a bit (and for me to clean the front of 4Runner- air flow to radiator was nonexistent)… snow was continuing to fall, but the storm was gone… we were there for at least 30-40 minutes and there were no cars coming from that road… I would say snow was at least 2 feet deep on that road…
And that is the story that pushes me into idea of having tire\snow chains… not planning on using them, but I feel like having them can make a difference in very ugly and hopefully rare (meaning never) situation.
Again, thanks for info! I will report back if I ended up getting tire chains.
delloro
New member
I always carry chains in the snow, no reason not to, but they don't help too much for deep snow.
Jetboy
New member
If you don't have an air compressor - I'd get one first and use low pressure over chains for deep snow if getting stuck is your primary concern. There are some situations where chains work pretty well as far as getting unstuck - but I've found them few and far between. I've never found a situation in deeper snow offroad where chains were equal to or better than low pressure. And I've never tried using chains on low pressure tires - but I assume it's probably not a good combo. There are a lot of different kinds of snow and ice conditions, so one size doesn't necessarily fit all conditions.
For something that I can't really get the benefit of low pressure - like a wheel loader or a skidder - then I'd run chains in snow/ice.
For something that I can't really get the benefit of low pressure - like a wheel loader or a skidder - then I'd run chains in snow/ice.
I looked into chains last winter and recall reading that chains will damage 4Runners. My reccollection is they hit the break line, but I could be wrong. I would love to get a set, but was turned away because of that article.
Has anyone used them on a 5th Gen? How about with 285/70/17's? If so, what kind?
Has anyone used them on a 5th Gen? How about with 285/70/17's? If so, what kind?
Cheers!
Member
From what I can tell having lived in California for 7 years.
1.) Most people can not drive. I can't understand how they passed the driving test.
2.) Almost all cars that are > 6 years old are very very poorly maintained. No brake pads left, bald tires. Shock absorbers that absorb exactly zero energy. Wheels that look like a plucked string vibrating around while going down the highway.
Take #1 and #2 for the average Californian deciding... oooOOOooo it snowed in the mountains, let's go see snow for the 1st time ever in their clapped out car without even working wipers means you have CHP/Caltrans doing a chain inspection points to prevent deaths.
1.) Most people can not drive. I can't understand how they passed the driving test.
2.) Almost all cars that are > 6 years old are very very poorly maintained. No brake pads left, bald tires. Shock absorbers that absorb exactly zero energy. Wheels that look like a plucked string vibrating around while going down the highway.
Take #1 and #2 for the average Californian deciding... oooOOOooo it snowed in the mountains, let's go see snow for the 1st time ever in their clapped out car without even working wipers means you have CHP/Caltrans doing a chain inspection points to prevent deaths.
ElectroBoy
Banned
Haha! You noticed that too?
Unlike other states that have a yearly auto safety inspection, CA has none. Except for smog every two years.
Sometimes govt regulations and enforcement are good.
ElectroBoy
Banned
Only put chains on a 4Runner’s rear wheels. Chains always slop a little at speed. In the front the chains could hit the brake lines.
Cheers!
Member
what I don't get is if the idea is to get clunkers off the road... the etest is a poor way to do it. Yearly safety would for sure get rid of clunkers. Back where I'm from (Ontario, Canada). A safety is mandatory for any change in ownership and it has to be from a ASE certified mechanic.
The real crappy part is that it is raining less and less in California, so the rain is not kill off these clunkers anymore.
The real crappy part is that it is raining less and less in California, so the rain is not kill off these clunkers anymore.
delloro
New member
If the front is chained, then expect to swap ends when braking if the rears lose traction, especially on ice. Given that the 4runner is RWD or 4wd, no need to chain the front before the rear.
If FWD, the drive wheels must be chained, so the fronts get chained, even if not optimal.
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Mike Beyers
New member
Studded snows
I was just wondering (I'm from Jersey, no mountains and very little snow compared to you guys) but do any of you run studded snow tires? Here, we usually get more ice than snow, and they are an absolutely amazing advantage.
I was just wondering (I'm from Jersey, no mountains and very little snow compared to you guys) but do any of you run studded snow tires? Here, we usually get more ice than snow, and they are an absolutely amazing advantage.
Bumbo
New member
haha. It's funny because it's true.
Jetboy
New member
Food for thought - California's snowy roads really are slipperier than snowy roads in cold places. Warm snow or ice is a lot slipperier than cold snow and ice. Generally the warmer it is the slicker it is. So snow and ice just below freezing temps is the worst condition you can have for traction. And incidentally that happens in places like California more frequently than places like Montana - and is combined with a population who rarely ever experience snow and ice conditions. It's sort of a perfect storm for poor outcomes with inexperienced drivers, less capable vehicles, and the slipperiest road conditions all coming together.
http://www.iaeng.org/publication/WCE2011/WCE2011_pp2381-2384.pdf
I've found the same to be true in Utah. The roads really are more slick than they are further north. And it rarely snows and stays below freezing temps for extended periods along main population center. So there's quite a few days each year with road temps right around freezing and a thin layer of snow/ice on them that only lasts for a few hours or maybe a day or two. Results are as you might expect. Lots of crashes every time.
http://www.iaeng.org/publication/WCE2011/WCE2011_pp2381-2384.pdf
I've found the same to be true in Utah. The roads really are more slick than they are further north. And it rarely snows and stays below freezing temps for extended periods along main population center. So there's quite a few days each year with road temps right around freezing and a thin layer of snow/ice on them that only lasts for a few hours or maybe a day or two. Results are as you might expect. Lots of crashes every time.
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ElectroBoy
Banned
Another phenomenon in California especially is the deposition and buildup of oil, grease, and tire material on the road surfaces over the long dry season. When the winter season arrives the first few rains mix it up and bring it to the surface to create extremely slick roads. And it stays that way until enough rain falls to wash it off. Add that into the snow/ice/slush conditions you described above, and the maniac high speed drivers who haven’t seen wet roads for eight or more months. No wonder insurance costs so much.
CutthroatSlam
Senior Member
Yes, from looking a the photo your chains still suck. Right off the bat, they have minimal chaos crossing the trie tread and what ones they do are connected by chains which run in line with the tire. They have those connecting chains because there are so few crossing chains which have to be held linearly due to their length. It’s a design that intentionally minimizes the amount of cross bar chains used. If you’ve ever seen large equipment being used to move snow, the chains they use typically have cross bar chains every 6”.
Sorry that your ownership of these inferior chains blinds you to their reality, but they are cheap and they suck.
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CutthroatSlam
Senior Member
Data does not support your claim that it is raining less and less in California.
CutthroatSlam
Senior Member
We own a home in Big Bear Lake and they have always let us through with 4WD vehicles. The scary part is the lowlanders with cars full of kids and snow play toys who don’t know how to drive.
