Tacoma in full winter mode

Due to Hurricane Sandy, I had to put my Taco into full winter mode almost two months earlier than normal...

245/70R17 Firestone Winterforce UV snowtires on, with studs

Bed contains 20' of 3/8 logging chain, with a slip hook and a fixed hook, 4 75# sandbags full of 3/4" gravel and a short handed shovel.

Receiver hitch has tow hook installed

Windshield washer has summer bug eater fluid replaced with -20 F methanol based fluid

And a new pair of orange PVC gloves, with cotton liners sitting on the console.

And I ran the snowblower for 3 hours yesterday...


thank you Hurricane Sandy for making me get off by rear end and preparing for winter months earlier than normal.

Howard

 

How much snow did you end up getting?

 

i hope you have all that chain tied down somehow

 

When I ran the snowblower yesterday, it had compacted into about 8" of very dense, wet heavy snow...very difficult to move.

But we probably got upwards of twice that, and since the ground was warm, we had plenty of melting...

Howard

 

Actually, it is sitting in a pile at the front left corner of the bed. It isn't all that MUCH chain, it will easily fit under the passenger seat, with a jack, in the 68 Dodge pickup.

The only concern with leaving it there is theft.

Howard

 

Why do you have the chain?

 

I wish studs were legal here, Id be all over that shit. They put down so much salt, that the snow barely stays on the road all winter .

 

to tow other folks out of ditches with...I also have a fabric recovery strap that lives in under a jump seat, but I find chains very handy for routine use.

 

Tire Rack didn't want to ship me tires with studs claiming that Tennessee was a "southern state" and I didn't need them. They come is quite handy in the mountains, while we have blizzacks on the Jeep.

Howard

 

I didn't realize studs would be illegal anywhere in Canada. That's ridiculous, especially if you have to travel to an area of Canada where the roads aren't as well maintained.

 

Yea, its crap. Around town I wouldnt really need them, because they over salt. But if I were to go up to my cottage, they would be a huge benefit. I beleive Southern Ontario is the only place in Canada where they are not legal.

 

Chains are only to be used for static pulls, such as winching. And they're not exactly the safest option. Definitely invest in a good snatch strap of the correct weight. So many liability issues with towing other people too. I quit doing that.

 

I am not sure i diasgree....I have lived in teh northeast my entire life and studs have never been needed, especially with the snow tire technology of today. You must be going through some serious stuff in TN to need studs.

Anyways, i can imagine the looks you get driving around TN in a vehicle that belongs in Vermont.

 

Glad I don't have to deal with snow and ice. You guys drive safe in those conditions. Sound like preparing for winter can be costly.

 

Such a lame world we live in now... can't help a fellow out of a shitty situation without having to worry about it biting you in the ass

 

I have been teaching hoisting and rigging safety for over 25 years. Where chains fail is under JERK conditions....and nylon straps with give are better for that. On the other hand, when chains fail, the fail with less energy released. Fabric straps get dirty way too easily, and they also wear quickly.

Do me a favor, go visit a heavy construction site and see what the dozers tow with and I suspect it is a chain and not a fabric strap.

Howard

 

no one even notices...until we go to work or shopping down in the valley with a foot of snow on the roof...

When I was in Vermont last winter, I bought a can of locally made shoe grease, like mink oil. I used some last night and now my doc martens smell like tallow.

Howard

 

The issue is that chains don't give. The shock loads they produce are huge compared to a strap. It's pretty easy to cause damage on a light vehicle. It's a lot harder on the tow vehicle's drive train too. I use short lengths of chain to attach under vehicles to prevent the strap from getting cut, but I always use a strap. I haven't used a straight chain for extraction or towing in 30 years.

 

u def cant be in JC for this snow!! were u in around upper carter county or banner elk or roan mtn atleast?? heck i had to ride up to the beauty spot in erwin before i seen any snow lol

 

My friends and I have been yanking each other out of sticky spots for years with 2 chains and an old tire in between. it works wonders and we have never broken a chain once. tire absorbs the shock of the jerking and it actually makes you pull harder because as it flexes and rebounds it adds more pull to the stuck end of the setup... thats gettin unstuck Humboldt style!