4x4's & Chains

I was planning my road trip next month and was going to purchase a set of chains when I remembered that when I purchased the truck the dealer had me sign a document saying that I wouldn't put chains on the vehicle. What is the reason behind this? Is solely due to the clearance issues with chains on the front tires?

Thanks!

 

If I had to guess....
Liability......
Toyota doesn't want to be responsible for damages that chains can cause for a variety of reasons. I've never run chains myself and know nothing about them - but, I'm sure they can be installed improperly, break apart, fly off, cause all sorts of vibrations & irregular stresses to bearings & seals, yadda yadda.

 

^^^^ This......Yada Yada Yada

But when installed properly!!! You will feel invincible and won't believe the performance in heavy deep snow or mud

 

I don't see how that document could have any legal standing since your state requires chains under certain conditions.

 

What conditions would southern Cali encounter that requires chains? Off-roading?

 

I run these on the back only when I really need them. The way it's snowing this year, I believe I'll use them.

 

There is no problem with properly fitted chains on the rear. The waiver may be because the preferred location for chains on 4wd trucks is often the front tires. On our trucks there isn't much room at the UCA and they can tear up the sensor cables. There may be chains or cables designed to work with our minimal clearances but Im not sure where to find them.

 

Snow in the mountains ie; Snow Summit, Big Bear, etc...

 

If you hunt Elk, you run chains!

 

You should look at the document you signed, that would be the best way to find out.

 

Lol no. If the road conditions ever get to the point of 4x4 and chains required the road will be shutdown hours before that occurs. Done countless trips to Mt high etc and unless I got stopped in the middle of a hill id never even need 4x4 let alone chains even in the worst conditions those roads saw.

I have a good set of legit chains for a just in case moment that I always keep with me in my travels up to mammoth etc. Never needed them and never will need them on any marked road. Only time I could possibly need them is if I was pulling someone out of a ditch on the icyest of roads or got stuck off road.

Chains will only fit in the rear unless you have skinny tires n wheel spacers in the front.

 

While incredibly rare, I have seen CHP implement R-3 chain controls.

http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist2/chainup/requirements.htm

 

I think the chains are pretty useful even if only installed on the back. You don't want to use them at speed - but as mentioned earlier in the thread they can get you moving in deep snow or mud where 4wd can't. Ignore the piece of paper from the dealer - probably not sanctioned by Toyota anyway.

 

In Cali. you have to carry chains even if you are aloud to go without installing them. They want to see them in your possession.

 

I drive a 4x4 with 35s and I carry chains. Tires don't get good traction on ice in the mountains. Ask me how I know.

 

It is R1 conditions at my house right now. Means 4wd with M&S tires are okay but must carry chains.

 

Mostly right, two caveats.

R1 and R2 require all vehicles, including 4x4 to own, carry and show the CHP officer chains and any manned chain check point. I've run into this more than once in the San Gabriels just north of LA. So while you may never need to put them on, you do need them in your vehicle.

R2 requires not just 4x4 but also tires that have a snow tread if you want to avoid actually putting on the chains. For CA that doesn't mean true snow tires as a mid-westerner would consider them instead the definition is:

Most AT tires people run on our trucks already meet this requirement, just check your sidewall. But worth noting that 4x4 alone doesn't get you out of actually putting the chains on in R2 - got to have proper tires too.

 

Even those organic food and brie eatin' SmartCar drivers have to have chains? What is the logic behind that rule for the southern most counties of Cali???

NVRM, it has to do with Cali laws

 

Growing up in SoCal (just north of San Diego) I remember Julian (an hour from San Diego) getting slammed a couple of times. Over 4' one time if I remember right (early '90's). It's not east coast or PNW amounts of snow but it's enough to really screw up your day, especially since there are lots of people down there with no winter driving experience.

 

I think you misunderstand - no one has to own or carry chains *unless* they are trying to enter a chain control area. Chain controls are only applied when there is snow. In So Cal that is only the mountains and only for a few days a year. So you only need to carry chains if you want to drive in the mountains while there is snow around.

In most cases R1 is applied and held in So Cal mountains after snow simply as a crowd control measure. Buying chains is your ticket price for entering the winter wonderland...

Actually when it comes to road laws CA has some of the best in the nation. And besides laws it also has developed some of the best practices in traffic management. The mid-Atlantic and northeast are the fucking dark ages when it comes to common sense road laws.

Right turn on red brought to you by CA.

Legally drive into crosswalk behind a pedestrian brought to you by CA.

Those two laws plus many others have been pioneered by CA and the slowly adopted by the rest of the nation.

Remove vehicles from traffic lanes immediately for minor collisions without waiting for a LEO to show up. Highway Patrol vehicles equipped to push disabled vehicles out of lanes without need for a tow truck. Officers keeping the rear of their vehicles mostly dark during late night traffic stops (drunks steer towards bright blinking lights and are more likely to hit a lit up cop car the one with just its rear hazards on).

I made fun of CA laws and the CHP for years until I started living in other states. Now I realize they are actually near the top of the game. They have to be given the number of vehicles being moved around. MD/VA/DC could have way fewer traffic problems if they'd just do a few more things like CA...