Tire chains or other alternatives for 2WD

We moved to a mountain community in Kern County 6 months ago that gets snow. Actually ice is the real issue here. This is a gated community and you can’t get in if there’s snow or ice unless you have AWD, 4WD or chains. Black ice is a huge issue on several steep main roads inside the gate. My truck is a 09 access cab TRD off road 2wd with the stock wheels & a larger P265-70 R16 tires. I already bought one of those bladders for the bed that fills with water to add 500 lbs over rear wheels. Now I need chains or something. I’m disabled & can’t get on my knees anymore so I need something that goes on & off easy, self centering & auto adjust. I got sticker shock with some of these sets!

I looked at the Thule Koneg & like how easy they look to install & don’t install to wheel hub. I’m sure I can manage install them if video is accurate. They are about $250 a pair.

The second option I looked at was what a lot of people in here run- the Spikes Spider. What I don’t like is the center hub that mounts over your wheel. But the people who live in here swear by them. There are several styles, from a simple crab looking plastic arm w/ studs to the similar arms with chains. These are in the mid $600 range.

I’d love to run the old fashion chains I ran years ago but due to my handicap- that’s not possible. I can sit, I can squat somewhat, I can bend over but getting on my knees is not an option.
So, does anyone here have real world recommendations?

 

Hmm, good questions.

First of all, I'd be inclined to NOT use a water bladder for adding weight. If ice is a problem, then water will freeze, and expand, and damage the truck.
Instead, it would be more advisable to use bags of sand. Sand comes in 50 pound bags, so you can get the equivalent weight with 10 bags.

The nice thing about sand bags, is that you are always carrying around emergency traction with you. Just make sure to keep a small spade in the truck.

So tell me this; are tire STUDS legal there? If they are, they might get you the extra traction you need, without the necessity of switching them on and off the wheels.

 

weight in the bed, studded snow tires...

also since you've got the TRD offroad locking the rear will help out

 

Rear locker could actually cause problems when trying to go in a straight line on ice. While it may increase overall traction, it will increase the tendency for the back end to swing out, and it will prevent the magic brakes from doing their job.
The ALSD/TRAC is actually a way better choice for ice, since it will detect the back end kicking out and work to keep the vehicle straight, while simultaneously providing that additional traction in order to actually move forward. If I remember correctly, the 2009's *do* have that system....

I would advise OP to NOT engage the locker.

 

If you get studded tires, get them mounted on alternate wheels. Stock TRD wheels or steel wheels. That way, when they're predicting snow or ice, you put them on and it doesn't matter if you bonk a curb. Then after the snow and ice is gone, swap back to your nice wheels and tires. That way, you're not wearing out the studs and chewing up the road, when they're not needed.

 

This is true. I assumed OP was stopped at a gate outside his neighborhood and trying to get moving. Trying to move at speed up an icy hill with the locker on is def not recommended

 

You may have missed the part where he said that he's disabled.... I don't think that swapping tires is going to be an option for him at 5AM when he wakes up and finds it icy out.

 

Use sand for weight, because it doubles as traction aid. Sounds like you'll need it

 

They have these guys called weathermen and places called tire shops. Of coarse the weathermen do not always get it right, but more often they error on the side of caution and predict snow that never materializes.

 

As mention, weight 2-300lbs and deflate your tires

 

I’d buy a 4x4.

Not sure why we need to come up with inventful ways to get around that.

I wouldn’t live in an area like that without owning a 4x4.

Btw 500lbs in the bed of this truck 3-6 mos out of the year is just a suspension ruiner unless hes got beefed up leafs.
Plus all weight does is increase your inertia if you end up sliding on ice. 500lbs is way too much weight IMO. I’d do closer to 200lbs.
Weight in the bed is going to make you harder to stop.

 

Trade it in for a 4WD... save yourself the hassle and possible injury.

I use Z-Chains which are cable chains and they're the easiest to put on but "easiest" is a relative term. Still requires crawling under the truck and getting them all situated perfectly. Not a quick job but not more than a 20 minute job to get them on. Then you have to take them off and store them.

 

That's a really easy thing to say, but it doesn't really add up. 4wd is, frankly, not great on ice either. Not without chains/studs, and weight. In fact, running a 4wd straight on the rubber could put you at a serious disadvantage compared to a 2wd with studs. 4wd certainly isn't going to help you stop any faster.

 

Get a 4wd if that is realistic.

If you receive that much snow and you are handicapp to a certain extent, its a no brainer to keep things simple.

Sand ( honestly, who wants to lug 500lbs around the entire winter), chains ( pass), new tires ( probably your best option).. most of these are a pain and would be solved if you .... just got a 4X4.

 

Man, there are a lot of folks out there who think they need a 4x4 and probably don't, but this sounds like one of those times where the correct answer is in fact "suck it up and trade for a 4x4"...And some all-terrains with a good amount of siping. I run Blizzaks on my 4x2 in the winter, and have gotten through some pretty deep stuff up north, but if I lived in a mountainous area I'd trade for a 4x4 asap. Yeah, 4x4 won't help you brake faster, but having that understeer bias from the front wheels pulling really keeps things from getting "interesting", as in, the ass of truck won't be trying as hard to slip sideways into a tree every time you give it gas while climbing a grade or going around a corner. Unless you're already stuck in a drift, the locker's useless, and weight will indeed help you off the line, but will increase the centrifugal force when you start spinning. Especially if you have a disability, it seems like a no-brainer to swap to the right truck for the job.

 

I got a set of really nice tire chains for $60 last year when Walmart was closing them out(in So. Cal we don't get much snow obviously) but when I go to Big Bear the CHP ask that you "have them in the truck" even if you're 4WD with ATs.
I've never used them but I got the set that fit my 265/70/17 tires..and they come in a compact box..

 

Studded tires would be the easiest and best option for sure if they are legal where he lives.

Four wheel drive is better than two wheel drive though. On these trucks it makes a huge difference. Studded tires can only do so much to make up for the added two wheels providing drive power and steering control.

 

Chains wouldn’t fit on mine with 265s. Not enough clearance.

 

I have a $10 off discount at Midwest Traction I will give someone. The deal is you have to really need a set of chains. Its not very much I know but I would give it to the first person who PMs me with a need.

EDIT: Sorry its now gone!

 

Hmmmmm, kind of doubting how much you've actually driven in the snow... I'd take my 4x4 over any 2wd configuration out there eight days a week. I've probably driven over mountain passes 1,000 times across WA, OR, ID, MT, CO, NM, BC., etc., etc. When the state patrol here closes the road to all vehicles except 4x4 and AWD, why do you think that is?

OP, get a 4x4 if it's in your budget and never worry about this again. Next best is put studs on for the winter and keep some weight in the bed like others say.