are tire chains required on the front tire? 2nd gen tacoma

so I am planning to buy tire chains for a mountain trip. but I read that front tire chains are not required because they touch one of the pieces of metal. anyone knows?

 

There most likely won't be enough room between the rim and the caliper. Depends on the wheel.

 

It's not the caliper that is the problem. The clearance at the top of the tire is to little for even most cable chains. The connector on the chains hits. I tried it on mine. Different offset wheels or spacers would probably work, but that introduces possible wheel bearing issues.

 

Not the tire n caliper, but the tire and upper control arm. Unless you run spacers you will be chewing up the UCA and ABS wires.

 

so chains for the back tires would be sufficient? I wonder if Law in CA is ok with that?

 

As far as I know you only need rear chains in CA... but I am not the law and dont know forsure. I am from SoCal.... what is this snow you speak of?

 

Iam going up to shaver lake and dinky creek area. this thanks giving.

 

How much snow is there, I've never used a set of chains driving in Canada and we get lots of snow most years.

 

I'm sure chains on the rear are legal. I would suggest that you try them on at home before you leave to make sure they fit properly and you find out if there are any tricks to it.

 

I am not sure how much. its been really dry here in central valley CA. we just started to get some rain in the last month.

 

Caltrans makes up the rules as the weather changes and signage will be posted.
You won't know till you roll out, or go to Caltrans web site to see what you need to be using for XYZ highway or pass

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/trucks/ops-guide/chains.htm

 

Big 10-4 on trying them out in the driveway and getting familiar with them at home. The first time at 22* f with a wind in the mud...well you get the pic.

And I didn't know you couldn't run iron on the steering axle...good to know!!

 

so is tacoma a pickup or a truck?

 

OP are you 4x4?

you likely will not need chains.

and if the road conditions are to the point to need 4x4 and 4 wheel chains, they shut down the road. Never needed chains in all the snow driving i have done here in southern california up to mammoth and big bear.

 

If you have decent tires all you will need is 4wd.

They'll close the road before requiring 4wd with M&S rated tires to chain up.

 

Pick-up

 

I'm Canadian and learned how to drive on snow and ice. I now live in a very snowy area too and have never needed chains. If it's really that bad, I just shut 'r down and stay home.

Damn, you guys are brow-beaten with laws in CA. All the laws in the world can't fix stupid people.

(Not sayin' you guys are!)

 

With stock-ish tire size and suspension, the tightest spot is actually between the spindle and the sidewall, not the UCA, but both are an issue.

That said, it's impressive where one of these trucks will go with good rubber and a pair of real chains on the rear - I had the jewelry on mine yesterday while out hunting in the hills - went up a few nasty spots with ease where a few other trucks had spun out, carried on to where only snowmachines had gone - and came back out without getting stuck, anywhere. I did find one hill I couldn't climb, but I highly doubt I could have with 4 wheel chains either. Open diffs on my base model too. My chains go in the truck from September to May every year, no exceptions. I've never needed them on a maintained road - but I don't hide in my house all winter either.

Get some good chains for the rear, tires appropriate for winter conditions, and you'll be good to go.

 

Are chains really that necessary? Never once needed any chains in my 20 years of driving in and out of the CO mountains. Good tires and half a brain are really all that is required.