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

Half a brain and you would not have gone where I was yesterday without chains, good tires and all. So it all depends on what you want to do in that case. In OP's case, they are a legal requirement where he's wanting to go. I'd say that makes them necessary.

 

on all open mountain passes where snow and ice is of any significance, also called a 'chain control area', there will be signs stating chains required,
when chains are determined to be required, and if so, you need chains. period.

 

We get heavy lake effect snow here. I run blizzak snow tires on my 4x4 Tacoma and also carry a set of tire chains for the rear. The chains are my insurance of getting out when off road in Winter during hunting season.

 

yup 1. they are a legal requirement here in CA to have.

2. Rather have them n not need them and need them n not have em.

I just got me a set of bitchin security chain company vbar chains with cam tensioners along with 2 rubber band tensioners (not needed but they fit even more snug) for less than 100 bucks on ebay.

 

I would not be happy about being told I had to put chains on. Freaking Kaliforinika.

 

If you're just looking to meet the requirements and aren't going anywhere serious, I'd recommend you look at cables instead of actual chains. I've used both.

Pros for Cables:
- Easy / quick to put on
- Cheap
- Higher top speed
- Easier to put on if you're already stuck (some chains can go on while stationary, others require you to drive forward a bit)
- Lightweight

Pros for Chains
- Last longer
- Much less likely to break and destroy all the paint on your fender
- Much higher traction

I had cables for my old '99 single cab short bed base model Tacoma. The tires on it were so bad and the back was so light that on a steep hill I'd have trouble starting just if it was raining. If there was snow on the ground it didn't go anywhere. A well placed 2" chunk of ice in a frozen gutter could leave me stranded in my parking spot - it was bad. With cables and a couple sandbags I could go up some pretty steep hills in 6" of snow without much trouble. The following winter I was sick of messing with that so I got some good studded snow tires. They made a world of difference but they weren't as good as the bald tires + cables were. Then I got my 2014 DC 4x4 several years later and the stock tires, 4WD, and no weight in the back were way better than any combination of cables / tires on the old RWD Taco.

I carry some RUD Olympia Sprint chains from Nov - April just in case but I can't see myself ever using them unless I go offroad or they close the highway and I want to drive around the barrier and keep on moving. I think that would be pretty easy to get away with in Nebraska because they're pretty quick to close down driveable roads these days, but only via gates at the onramps. It might not be as wise to try it somewhere like Wyoming because their gates cross the whole interstate and a blizzard up there is a lot more serious than the ones in my area. Also if things get really bad remember you can air down your tires to help get a better grip.

 

This is what actually happens on CA highways when there is chain control:
There will be a CalTrans and CHP checkpoint stopping you and checking to see if you either 4wd or AWD and good tires, if so then they wave you through. Front wheel drives usually get waved through with snow tires or studs.

As already mentioned if it gets to a point where you would need both 4wd and chains then the road is closed.

 

I have never seen chains required for 4wd vehicles here in the state of WA. Having said that, you are supposed to carry a set with you regardless. Now the only way this would be checked and you would be cited for it is if you were driving recklessly for the conditions or you need assistance due to getting stuck.

 

I believe the user manual tells you to put chains on the rear tires. Did you look at the manual?

I used to drive up to the mountains to Big Bear all the time. The sheriffs would be out stopping and enforcing tire chain rules if it's snowing or icing at all. People still managed to run off the roads and wreck in a ditch (chains or not) every few miles or so, especially on the way down.

I had a Subaru at the time and they always waved me through with no chains. Not sure what they'll require for a 4x4 Tacoma. But it won't hurt to have them on board and better than ending up in a ditch.

 

i'm in the same boat right now. taking a trip up to Reno this weekend and i have a feeling we may need chains. I gotta read the paperwork i signed when i bought the truck but i do recall them having me sign an acknowledgement regarding not putting chains on the truck and to use cables instead. but i can't recall if it was for the whole truck or just the fronts. i'll dig up the paperwork tonight.

 

i have never been asked to put on chains. ever. my 4x4 truck gets waved by all the time.

i HAVE chains. never needed them, but they are there if all hell breaks loose. but that is yet to happen.

and if i did, i would put them in the back just like every RWD vehicle out there.

 

Buy some cables and throw them in the truck to be legal. You shouldn't need to install them if you have decent tires and are in 4wd.

 

my truck is 2wd.

 

Then you are more likely to need them

 

so get some good chains. Like stated i got some Security Chain Company (SCC) vbar cam style chains for 87 bucks shipped (part number QG2828CAM) this fits 265/75R16's and will likely be too big for 265/70R16's


Go here
http://www.peerlesschain.com/tire-chain-finder/traction/tirechains

pop in your tire size to get proper part numbers.

Id recommend either the twisted link or the vbar with cam tensioners and like stated the extra rubber tensioners (part QG20074)

 

my truck is not a 4X4. wish they were. I do a lot of summer camping and boating but never a snow type of guy. so this would be interested. thanks again for the info guys.

 

found the disclosure i needed to sign regarding chains. this is for my 2015 PreRunner DBLC V6

TIRE CHAIN DISCLOSURE

AS EQUIPPED, THIS VEHICLE MAY NOT BE OPERATED WITH TIRE CHAINS BUT MAY ACCOMMODATE SOME OTHER TYPE OF TIRE TRACTION DEVICE, SEE THE OWNERS MANUAL FOR DETAILS.

emphasis on "may not" is theirs. i checked my owners manual but don't see anything about alternative options. the manual just talks about using chains.

 

20 years ago I was in a Army convoy headed to Yakima training center. We were halfway through the Snoqualmie (sp??) pass when we all had to pull over and put on chains. On M1025 HMMWV's. Seriously. Chains, on a Humvee, on paved roads. I dont now if it was a local ordnance or a commanders call. Being from upstate NY, I was one of the few guys who knew how to put them on (my dad used them on his station wagon once or twice as a kid) Anyways, there was MAYBE 3 inches of snow on the ground and everyone was acting like the world was going to end.

Chains were a necessity back in the days of RWD, light read end cars. Unless you are traveling off road into unpaved areas, I seriously dont think you will need them. I just went back and read post again.....OP only has 2 WD? Yeah, you are going to need chains if you are heading into unpaved or unplowed areas. But if you do...

1) Make SURE you have put them on once before to familiarize yourself. They are not as simple as they look.
2) Make DOUBLE sure they are secured to your tire.
3) DO NOT exceed 25 MPH.....if one of those chains rips loose, you will have a hardened steel flail tearing away at your wheel well and fender.

Also....keep 2-4 tubes of traction sand in the back, over the axle. Keep them in a sealed tub or well enclosed in a tarp. If they get wet and then freeze, they cannot be broken open and spread on the ground. You wouldnt believe how much extra traction 160 lbs will give a RWD truck when placed over or behind the rear axle.

Lastly...if you do use them....take them out and dry them off later. If you dont, you will have a rusty mess on your hands. Remember those tire chains from the Snoqualmie pass? The commander was NOT pleased with us when 6 months later we cleaned out our supply containers and found piles of rusting chains.

 

I just checked and my 2014 manual and it has a very clear and detailed section on choosing and using tire chains on the rear tires only.

The disclosure part is what's odd? Ive never heard of anything like that? Is it from your dealer or Toyota? Why did you sign it without asking for a winter weather driving solution? Sorry, just confusing to me.

If you sell the truck to another person do they inherit the warranty with or without your disclosure?

I'd call your sales person or the dealer and ask them?

 

Yup listen to him. A lil weight in the rear of the truck, and some good tires, Michline MS2's are AMAZING all season tires that will blow your mind on the ice. That stated.... dont be that guy trying to get up to mountain high or Big bear, blocking the windy mountain road cus you got stuck in the middle of the hill without chains on your 2wd truck.

And lastly, what ever you do.... TAKE IT SLOW, and give yourself WAY more stopping distance.... spend the extra 20 to 30 minutes to get to your destination safely vs ruining a day on the slopes.